Popular Pig Podcast Episodes

Innovative Thinking: Silicon Valley to the Farm | Steve Lerch

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

• Why the topic of innovation and innovative culture matters.
• Why patterns can be dangerous even when they are formed through success.
• Why people fear the concept and practice of innovation.
• The story of Kodak “The Kings of Photography”
• What is the next big opportunity for the pork industry.
• Steve Lerch’s “golden nugget”

Show MoreInnovative Thinking: Silicon Valley to the Farm | Steve Lerch

The Importance of Water Biosecurity | Jesse McCoy

About the Guest

Currently the Business Unit Specialist for Water Treatment at Neogen Corporation, Jesse develops and implements water treatment chemicals and programs to aid in production animal health in poultry, swine, and ruminants. Jesse assists Neogen’s partners in the field and laboratory as well as production managers, veterinarians, and independent producers in setting up cost-effective water programs tailored to their needs.  Jesse also presents “technical-yet-practical” water quality opportunities worldwide and is involved in the research and development of Neogen products associated with water treatment. Jesse is also a Certified Water Specialist from WQA.

Show MoreThe Importance of Water Biosecurity | Jesse McCoy

The Key To Success In Animal Welfare Programs | Jason McAlister

About the Guest

Jason McAlister, president CloverLeaf Animal welfare Systems, started his career at the world-famous Gilbertville locker. He went on to work with IBP and Tyson until 2007, when he transitioned to Triumph Foods. He has since led their animal welfare program, was a past NAMI animal welfare committee chair, and served as an advisor to the National Pork Board’s animal welfare committee. Jason has taken part in many taskforce projects including the common swine industry audit task force. Jason founded Cloverleaf in 2007 to help small and medium-size businesses with their animal welfare programs. CloverLeaf has successfully expanded across the Americas with clients from Canada to Brazil. They have even expanded into Africa and are pursuing opportunities to make a difference in Europe.  

Show MoreThe Key To Success In Animal Welfare Programs | Jason McAlister

Providing Real Pork For Everyone | Bill Even & Gene Noem

About the Guest

Gene Noem finishes hogs at JMG Farms in Howard County. Gene also manages the contracted gilt multiplication for PIC North America. He is in his second term on the National Pork Board of Directors, and currently serving as President.  Noem grew up in eastern South Dakota. His base experience is rooted in his experience with his parents. They were careful in spending, liberal in work, and determined to give their 4 kids a great foundation in work ethic, and the long view regarding success.  Noem resides in Ames with his wife Jennifer. He is especially proud of Megan, their daughter. If successful in his role on the Board of Directors, the Pork Board will have a robust and productive annual planning and prioritization process, involving state and other national organizations in a collaborative process.

Show MoreProviding Real Pork For Everyone | Bill Even & Gene Noem

The War on African Swine Fever: Part 2 | Dr. Adrian Balaban & PJ Corns

About the Guest

Dr. Adian Balaban is the executive director of Pork & Co., Cooperativa Silistea Productie Suine, which is also a genetic multiplier for Topigs Norsvin. Additionally, Dr. Balaban serves as the President of the Romanian Association of Swine Veterinarians and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Romanian Pork Producers Association. He is also a consultant for the United Nations.

Show MoreThe War on African Swine Fever: Part 2 | Dr. Adrian Balaban & PJ Corns

The War on African Swine Fever: Part 1 | Dr. Adrian Balaban & PJ Corns

About the Guest

Dr. Adian Balaban is the executive director of Pork & Co., Cooperativa Silistea Productie Suine, which is also a genetic multiplier for Topigs Norsvin. Additionally, Dr. Balaban serves as the President of the Romanian Association of Swine Veterinarians and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Romanian Pork Producers Association. He is also a consultant for the United Nations.

Show MoreThe War on African Swine Fever: Part 1 | Dr. Adrian Balaban & PJ Corns

China’s Impact on the US Hog and Pork Markets | Jim Huang

About the Guest

Jim Huang has 24 years of experience in the commodity futures industry. Starting as a data analyst with Thomson Reuters in St. Louis in 1998, then moved to Chicago in 2001. During his 11 years at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, he worked closely with the Agricultural Commodities team, coordinating market maker programs for options contracts including Corn, Soybean, Wheat, Lean Hog, Live Cattle, Butter and Milk. Ten years ago, he started his own business, China-America Commodity Data Analytics, Inc. in China.

Show MoreChina’s Impact on the US Hog and Pork Markets | Jim Huang

PigFlow: Empowering Our People With Data | Sarah Ploeg

Quotes

• “Getting started was so fast that it was like I blinked and we were running PigFlow. It was remarkable because there were no issues between blinking.”
• “I have not looked at my notebooks since the moment that I logged into PigFlow. This is changing the industry!”
• “PigFlow immediately changed the caretaker’s behaviors throughout the day.”
• “Everything is entered as people are doing the work. No one sits in the office and enters data on a phone. There is not a single person including myself that is in the office. Unless we are taking lunch, we are all in the barn adding value with PigFlow.”

Show MorePigFlow: Empowering Our People With Data | Sarah Ploeg

The New Hat that Farmers Must Wear | Neil Dudley

About the Guest

I’m a Texas gentleman who believes in hard work with a little fun thrown in. My day job is makin’ bacon at Pederson’s Farms as the Vice President. But, my most important job is lovin’ on my wife & three young daughters… and throwing in some cowboy stuff when I can.

Show MoreThe New Hat that Farmers Must Wear | Neil Dudley

Welfare and Sustainability in Australian Pork Production | Robert van Barneveld

About the Guest

Robert van Barneveld is Group CEO and Managing Director of the Sunpork Group of Companies which includes SunPork Farms (farming approximately 51,000 sows across Australia and 3,000 sows in New Zealand), PIC Australia, Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory and SunPork Fresh Foods. Collectively the Group produces approximately 18% of Australia’s pork.

Show MoreWelfare and Sustainability in Australian Pork Production | Robert van Barneveld