In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Erin Cortus from the University of Minnesota chats about sustainability in the swine industry. She breaks down key environmental sustainability metrics, the importance of effective manure management, and how technology is changing the game on farms. Dr. Cortus also emphasizes that sustainability is an ongoing journey, offering practical tips for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and boosting operational efficiency. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"Sustainability is not about staying at the status quo; it’s about continuous improvement."

Meet the guest: Dr. Erin Cortus is an Associate Professor and Extension Engineer at the University of Minnesota, focusing on sustainability and environmental impact in swine production systems. With a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering, she has over 15 years of experience in swine environment research. Dr. Cortus is passionate about improving air quality and environmental sustainability in livestock operations.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:47) Introduction
• (03:25) Defining sustainability
• (04:33) Environmental sustainability focus
• (08:51) Calculating sustainability metrics
• (15:47) Methane emissions management
• (18:47) Circularity in systems
• (22:47) Final three questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Cam Dahl, General Manager at Manitoba Pork Council, explains how Manitoba’s collaborative effort is keeping PED and other swine viruses out of production barns. He breaks down the province’s rigorous testing programs, biosecurity strategies, and what’s at stake when diseases spread. Learn why industry-wide cooperation is key to disease control. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Collaboration from transporters, processors, and producers has been essential for disease control."

Meet the guest: Cam Dahl holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Manitoba. He currently serves as General Manager at Manitoba Pork and brings decades of experience in Canadian agriculture. Cam previously led Cereals Canada, the Canadian Grain Commission, and the Manitoba Beef Producers.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:02) Introduction
• (01:08) Virus detection systems
• (03:42) Biosecurity implementation
• (05:06) Financial impact analysis
• (08:50) Government collaboration
• (12:28) Eradication plan updates
• (22:46) Closing thoughts

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Mary-Louise Penrith, Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria, discusses the global response to African swine fever (ASF). She explains vaccine development efforts, outlines control strategies, and highlights the importance of cultural context in managing outbreaks. Learn what’s working in the ongoing battle against ASF. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Research on African swine fever has evolved beyond virology to include epidemiology, control strategies, and now behavioral insights."

Meet the guest: Dr. Mary-Louise Penrith holds a Ph.D. in Zoology and a DSc in Entomology, along with a veterinary degree from the University of Pretoria. Now an Extraordinary Professor in Veterinary Tropical Diseases at the University of Pretoria, she specializes in African swine fever and consults for international organizations. Her work emphasizes farmer-based ASF control in resource-limited settings.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:18) Introduction
• (06:21) ASF vaccine progress
• (10:10) Field concerns
• (15:11) Solutions for ASF
• (20:44) Research focus areas
• (25:42) Management practices and ASF
• (30:11) Final three questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Darryl D’Souza from the SunPork Group in Australia discusses how vertically integrated systems shape R&D strategies in swine production. He shares a decade-long innovation journey with the Maternity Rings system, offering insights on welfare, efficiency, and variability management across the pork supply chain. Tune in to hear how science drives change. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Research projects must tie back to our strategic plan: cost, revenue, or risk."

Meet the guest: Dr. Darryl D’Souza completed his Ph.D. in Meat Science at the University of Melbourne and is the Executive General Manager at the SunPork Group in Australia. With over 25 years in the swine industry, he has led technical, research, and innovation efforts across major organizations. His expertise supports SunPork’s entire value chain, from genetics to processing.

Click here to read the full research articles:

A five domains assessment of sow welfare in a novel free farrowing system

Stockperson attitudes towards Maternity Rings and farrowing crates

Pork producer invents alternative to farrowing crates for birthing pigs

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:46) Introduction
• (02:41) Research integration strategy
• (07:08) Sow housing innovation
• (15:10) Adjustments for maternity pens
• (23:10) Consumer market impact
• (25:09) Strategic research alignment
• (28:41) Final three questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Caio Silva from Londrina State University in Brazil, shares vital insights into modern sow productivity and health challenges. He examines key factors, including oxidative stress, immunity, and nutritional strategies, that impact sow longevity and piglet robustness. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The modern sow reaches high production levels, but this is often followed by health and longevity challenges."

Meet the guest: Dr. Caio Abércio da Silva holds a DVM and earned his M.S. in Food Technology and Ph.D. in Animal Science. He has over 38 years of teaching experience at Londrina State University in Brazil, where he now teaches in the Postgraduate Program in Animal Science. He also leads AKEI Animal Research, a company focused on swine studies.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:01) Introduction
• (03:44) Sow productivity
• (06:51) Oxidative stress explained
• (08:59) Nutritional strategies
• (12:24) Piglet immunity focus
• (20:00) Feed additives' role
• (21:46) Final three questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Wayne Lees, coordinator for Squeal on Pigs Manitoba, discusses the challenges of controlling invasive wild pigs. He covers the environmental, economic, and safety risks associated with wild pigs, and explains the innovative methods being used to track and manage their population. Learn about the unique climate challenges of wild pig eradication in Canada and how the efforts might serve as a model for other regions. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Wild pigs pose significant environmental risks, including destroying ecosystems and carrying animal diseases like African swine fever."

Meet the guest: Dr. Wayne Lees holds a DVM from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and a Master’s degree in veterinary epidemiology from the Ontario Veterinary College. With extensive experience in veterinary practice, government, and academia, he now coordinates Squeal on Pigs Manitoba. The initiative aims to control and eliminate invasive wild pigs from Manitoba.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:38) Introduction
• (01:58) Why wild pigs matter
• (03:36) Wild pig population trends
• (04:58) Preferred habitats
• (06:25) Geographic challenges
• (17:53) Emerging technologies in control
• (25:19) Final three questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this special rerun episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Antonio Velarde, a senior scientist in Animal Welfare at IRTA, shares practical insights into improving animal welfare in swine production. From pain assessment techniques to advancements in group housing systems, Dr. Velarde provides strategies tailored to the swine industry. Listen now on your favorite platform to learn more about innovative ways to enhance swine welfare!

"Animal welfare is the physical and mental state of the animal about the conditions in which it lives."

Meet the guest: Dr. Antonio Velarde is a senior scientist in Animal Welfare at IRTA in Catalonia, Spain. With over two decades of research experience, he specializes in animal behavior, health, and science-based welfare assessment. He holds advanced degrees in veterinary and animal sciences and contributes significantly to European swine welfare policy.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:37) Introduction
• (00:55) Animal welfare
• (03:04) Measurement techniques
• (08:30) Technology & welfare
• (14:17) Group housing
• (22:24) Tail docking
• (26:34) Closing thoughts

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Ali Alameer from the University of Salford discusses how AI and machine vision are being applied to swine farming. He explains how non-invasive camera systems can monitor pig behavior to detect health and welfare issues, creating early warning systems for farmers. Learn how AI can help revolutionize farm management and improve animal care. Listen now on all major platforms!

"AI and machine vision can help detect subtle changes in behavior, predicting health issues before they become severe."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ali Alameer is a Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Salford, UK. His research focuses on using AI and machine vision to monitor pig behavior, aiming to enhance animal welfare through early disease detection. Dr. Alameer's work bridges AI technology and agriculture, making significant contributions to precision livestock farming.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:37) Introduction
• (04:14) AI & machine vision
• (08:22) Pig behavior and AI
• (10:44) Systems for farmers
• (17:57) Advances in tracking technology
• (25:37) Ethical AI in animal care
• (29:41) Final questions

The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Swine Veterinary Partners

- dsm-firmenich

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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