Popular Pig Podcast Episodes

Passion for Pigs and Community | Erin Brenneman

About the Guest

Erin Brenneman is a passionate advocate for agriculture and a dedicated farmer. Raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Erin’s journey to the farming world began with her love for animals, sparked by horseback riding lessons during her high school years. She pursued her passion at Iowa State University, where she earned a degree in Animal Science and met her husband, Tim Brenneman

Erin’s introduction to farming came through weekends spent at Tim’s family farm in Iowa, where she fell in love with the farm life and community. Over the years, Erin has become deeply involved in the operations of Brenneman Pork, focusing on farrowing and day-one piglet care. Her hands-on experience and commitment to animal welfare have been pivotal in streamlining processes and enhancing farm efficiency. (more…)

World Pork Expo Changes and Industry Innovations | Alex Adams, Marcel Schubert, Chris Grant

What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig?

• New World Pork Expo Format: How the two-day format affected attendance and engagement.
• Adoption of Innovations: The challenges of introducing new technologies in the swine industry.
• Labor and Automation: How labor shortages are pushing farms to adopt automation.
• Consumer Education: The need to educate the public about modern farming practices.
• Future Industry Trends: Predictions on the role of artificial intelligence and automation in modern farming

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Mastering Biosecurity in Swine Production | Stuart Heller

About the Guest

Neogen is committed to fueling a brighter future for global food security through the advancement of human and animal well-being. Harnessing the power of science and technology, Neogen Corporation has developed comprehensive solutions spanning the Food Safety, Livestock and Pet Health & Wellness markets. A world leader in these fields, Neogen has a presence in over 140 countries with a dedicated network of scientists and technical experts focused on delivering optimized products and technology for its customers.

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Bridging Hutterite Traditions and Pork Industry Innovation | Anne Miller

About the Guest

Anne Miller from Montana earned the Paulson-Whitmore Award for State Executives. Miller’s loyalty to Montana agriculture led her down the path as a dual state executive for the Montana Pork Association and Wyoming Pork Producers Council. Her notable accomplishments included volunteering on the committee that developed the We Care® Ethical Principles; serving on the committee to hire two National Pork Board CEOs; and advocating for pork quality with meat processors in the state.

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Transforming Pork Safety | Dr. Paul Sundberg

About the Guest

Distinguished Service Award Winner Dr. Paul Sundberg retired in 2023 from his notable career, which included practicing veterinary medicine, working for national pork industry organizations and leading the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC). The award is selected by past presidents of the National Pork Board and recognizes individuals who have made invaluable contributions to the pork industry, going above and beyond what is expected of them.

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PigFlow’s Role in Improving Farm Operations | Mandy Dutton

About the Guest

Mandy Dutton was born on a cattle ranch in Montana, setting the foundation for a lifelong engagement with agriculture. Her family moved to a small town in the Colorado mountains during her early years, where they continued their ranching lifestyle. After completing high school, Mandy relocated to Wyoming, marking a shift from cattle to swine as she began her career in a swine facility. She progressed through various roles in the swine industry, including department lead, farm manager, production manager and recently promoted into senior production at Carthage System, where she continues to thrive in her career. (more…)

From Music to Food: A Culinary Journey with Pork | Eddie Zamora

About the Guest

Eddie Zamora is an international foodie, Cuban home cook and former Judge on the TV family competition series Dinner Takes All on BYUtv. The twelve episode series was produced by Keller/Noll, the creators of Food Network’s Chopped and Chopped Junior.

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PigFlow in Action | Dakota Steber

About Dakota Steber:

Dakota Steber, Assistant Manager at Borgic Farms’ Newton Sow Farm in Illinois, has a deeply rooted connection to the agriculture sector, having been introduced to pig production at a very early age. Raised on the farm where his father worked, Dakota began assisting with chores when he was just six years old. Throughout his high school and college years, the farm remained a constant in his life. After a stint in the automotive industry in Alabama and serving six years in the United States Army Reserve, Dakota returned to his roots in 2018 to take on his current role. (more…)

Adapting and Communicating in Pork Production | Ed Tice

About the Guest

Ed Tice, a native of the Texas Panhandle, has established his home in the heartland of America. For 20 years, he resided in Tipton, Indiana, and now lives in Story City, Iowa, with his wife Emily and their two children. Ed’s professional journey in the pork industry spans nearly three decades. His career began with Tyson Fresh Meats, where he contributed significantly as a Senior Hog Buyer and a Corporate Auditor for FarmCheck, Tyson’s animal welfare program. Following this, Ed expanded his expertise at United Animal Health, holding the position of Sales and Business Development Manager for Show Feed and UPPS.
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Decoding the Farm Bill & Unlocking R&D Potential | Secretary Mike Johanns & Tim Taschner

About the Guests

Mike Johanns was the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 2005-2007 as well as the Governor of Nebraska from 1999-2005 and the state’s U.S. Senator from 2009-2015. As alliantgroup’s Chairman of Agriculture, Johanns brings more than 30 years of experience at virtually every level of government and a strong background in both agriculture and economic development. (more…)