In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. R. Dean Boyd explores the principles behind soybean meal net energy in swine diets. He explains why traditional book values may underestimate their actual energy contribution and highlights how recent estimates can better reflect modern pig performance. This discussion breaks down the science behind energy systems and explains why updating these values is important for today’s production. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The story of soybean net energy is really the tale of two sides of the same coin. Book values, which are equation-based, underestimate what the pig’s response actually is."

Meet the guest: Dr. R. Dean Boyd, Ph.D., is the head of Animal Nutrition Research, LLC, and serves as an adjunct professor in Animal Science at both North Carolina State and Iowa State Universities. Dr. Boyd has held key academic positions and led large-scale nutrition programs for the Hanor Company and Triumph Foods group. His research focuses on energy systems, amino acid nutrition, and ingredient evaluation in swine production.

Connect with our guest on Social Media:

LinkedIn: Dr. R. Dean Boyd

Email: dboyd@cinet.net

Click here to read the full research articles:

Soybean meal NE value for growing pigs is greater in commercial environments

Amino acid levels and energy specifications in SBM for poultry and pigs

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:34) Introduction
• (01:14) Guest background overview
• (02:56) Soybean meal energy
• (04:47) Differences between estimates
• (05:38) Pig body changes
• (07:48) Comparing public estimates
• (10:02) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Fortiva

- Essential Ag Solutions

- Barentz

- Kemin

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

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In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Robert Goodband from Kansas State University and Dr. Omarh Mendoza of The Maschhoffs discuss the results and commercial implications of a collaborative study that focused on determining the minimum soybean meal inclusion with and without DDGS to optimize growth, performance, and carcass characteristics in both growing and finishing pig diets. Listen and watch!

"As we increased soybean meal in the diet, we saw improvements in average daily gain and feed efficiency, particularly in late finishing. The data suggests that soybean meal has a greater net energy content than what we have used for book values in the past.” – Dr. Goodband

“Even though a formulation on paper makes sense, the pigs are telling us that something is missing. As nutritionists, we need to be careful when formulating our diets and make sure we are considering information like this.” – Dr. Mendoza

Meet the guests:

Dr. Robert Goodband is a distinguished professor and swine extension specialist at Kansas State University. He obtained his bachelor's degree from Penn State and his master's and doctorate in swine nutrition at KSU. Bob teaches swine science and nutrition courses and serves as an academic advisor. He has mentored hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students and published 450 refereed journal papers, 11 book chapters, and over 1,000 extension publications.

Dr. Omarh Mendoza, originally from Sonora, Mexico, holds a bachelor’s in animal sciences from the University of Sonora. He earned his master’s and doctorate in animal sciences with a focus on swine nutrition and production from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. He is currently the director of nutrition at The Maschhoffs, LLC, where he oversees nutritional programs, quality assurance, and nutrition research. He has also co-authored numerous scientific publications.

Connect with our guests on Social Media: Dr. Goodband & Dr. Mendoza

Dr. Rosero & Dr. R. Dean Boyd: Overcoming Summer Dip: Use of Soybean Meal to Maximize Carcass Weight | Ep. 131

Dr. Gaines & Dr. Borg: Soybean Meal Net Energy Higher in Commercial Settings | Ep. 141

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:54) Introduction
• (02:06) Soybean meal trial overview
• (03:04) Feed efficiency results
• (04:22) High protein trade-offs
• (06:16) Value to production systems
• (08:36) Applying results commercially
• 09:30) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by:

U.S. Soy

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

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LinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Andrew Yersin from Kemin Industries discusses the key differences between antibiotics and probiotics in swine health management. He explains the practical considerations for choosing between them, the importance of performance data, and how to evaluate product efficacy under field conditions. Learn how to optimize decisions based on farm-specific needs and outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms!

"An antibiotic is a substance. It kills bacteria. A probiotic is a living organism. It changes the gut environment."

Meet the guest: Dr. Andrew Yersin earned his Ph.D. in Path-physiology from North Carolina State University and holds an M.S. in Reproductive Physiology and a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Maryland. Currently the Senior VP of Worldwide Quality Assurance and Monogastric Technical Services at Kemin Industries, Dr. Yersin focuses on swine nutrition quality systems, alternative health strategies, and operational metrics.

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Dr. Jerry Spears: Chromium in Swine Feed | Ep. 123

Dr. David Rosero: Fat Quality in Swine Diets | Ep. 143

Dillon Mellick: Nutrition in Pathogen Control | Ep. 148

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:15) Introduction
• (00:30) Guest background
• (01:39) Antibiotics vs probiotics
• (04:15) Label and mode function
• (05:53) Decision-making factors
• (08:22) Setting KPI in trials
• (09:52) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

Kemin

- Fortiva

- Essential Ag Solutions

- Barentz

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Marco de Mik, Senior Consultant in Swine Nutrition, shares insights on enhancing gastrointestinal health for a strong start in piglets. He explains why understanding particle size in feed is essential for supporting gut function, especially during the weaning phase. Learn how feed form and fiber type can make a difference in piglet performance. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Average particle size is not as effective as focusing on the outer layers of the particles."

Meet the guest: Dr. Marco de Mik holds a veterinary medicine degree from Utrecht University and an M.Sc. in Animal Nutrition from Wageningen University. With over a decade of experience in swine nutrition, he currently works as a Senior Consultant at Schothorst Feed Research. He specializes in feed formulation, animal physiology, and metabolism. Marco is also a resident of the European College of Veterinary Comparative Nutrition.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:18) Introduction
• (02:12) Measuring particle size
• (04:41) Particle size for young animals
• (06:06) Role of coarse particles
• (07:10) Diet recommendations
• (08:16) Feed form considerations
• (10:27) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Barentz

- Kemin

- Fortiva

- Essential Ag Solutions

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Danyel Dalto, a research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, discusses the impact of different vitamin D supplementation strategies on weanling piglets. He explores how these strategies influence serum vitamin D concentrations and the mRNA expression of genes related to vitamin D metabolism and the immune system. Learn how optimizing vitamin D levels can improve piglet health and post-weaning performance. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Vitamin D has some interesting effects on the antioxidant system and also in the immune system."

Meet the guest: Dr. Danyel Dalto is a research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, specializing in swine nutrition. With a veterinary degree, a master’s (2010), and a doctorate (2014) in animal sciences, his research focuses on the role of trace minerals and vitamins in piglet robustness, embryonic development, and overall health. Dr. Dalto is committed to advancing swine nutrition by optimizing these nutrients and reducing the need for antibiotics through improved dietary strategies.

Click here to read the full research article!

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:57) Introduction
• (02:04) Vit D supplementation in pigs
• (04:36) Post-weaning effects of vitamin
• (06:02) Research results insights
• (07:02) Antioxidant system & immune responses
• (09:25) UVB light exposure
• (12:22) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Fortiva

- Kemin

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Jordyn Studer from Barentz explains the importance of choline in swine diets and its three core metabolic functions. She highlights common feed mixing and stability challenges with choline chloride and introduces a plant-based alternative offering functional and handling advantages. Learn how these innovations could improve pig performance. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Choline is stored in the liver and helps break down, mobilize, and metabolize fat so it doesn’t accumulate in the liver."

Meet the guest: Jordyn Studer earned her M.S. in Poultry Science from Virginia Tech and her B.S. in Animal Sciences from Purdue University. She is currently a Technical Service Specialist at Barentz, focusing on monogastric species nutrition.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:01) Introduction
• (02:27) Choline functionality
• (04:00) Choline metabolism
• (05:06) Dry form handling issues
• (06:17) Choline alternatives
• (08:22) Research insights
• (09:21) Closing thoughts

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

Barentz

- Kemin

- Fortiva

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Benoit St-Pierre from South Dakota State University explores the crucial role of the gut microbiome in livestock production. He discusses how microbial communities influence animal health and productivity, highlighting the differences between species and the challenges of understanding microbial genomics. Listen for insights into maintaining a healthy microbiome and avoiding dysbiosis in swine. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"A healthy microbiome is a community that eats things the host cannot, which keeps both parties in harmony."

What will you learn:

• (00:00) Introduction
• (00:35) Guest introduction
• (01:25) Microbiome dynamics
• (02:30) Defining a healthy microbiome
• (04:08) Common misconceptions
• (05:25) Microbiome comparison
• (07:42) Closing thoughts

Meet the guest:

Dr. Benoit St-Pierre is an Associate Professor at South Dakota State University specializing in gut microbiology of food animals. With over 14 years of research in microbiomes across swine, ruminants, and aquatic species, he has authored 34 peer-reviewed articles.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Essential Ag Solutions

- Kemin

- Fortiva

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

LinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Josep Garcia Sirera from Agrimprove breaks down the key differences between mycotoxins and endotoxins, explaining their impact on swine health. He explores the challenges of diagnosing endotoxin exposure, the limitations of current detection methods, and the role of mycotoxin binders in mitigating endotoxin-related issues. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The primary effect of endotoxins is inflammation, which can impact the gut or spread systemically through the bloodstream."

• (00:00) Introduction
• (01:00) Endotoxins vs. mycotoxins
• (01:47) Endotoxin effects on pigs
• (03:51) Antibiotics and endotoxins
• (05:20) Mitigating endotoxin impact
• (07:41) Measuring endotoxin exposure
• (10:50) Closing thoughts

Meet the guest:

Dr. Josep Garcia Sirera holds a Ph.D and M.Sc in Animal Science from Michigan State University and a D.V.M. from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. With over 20 years in the animal nutrition industry, he specializes in toxin management, focusing on mycotoxins and endotoxins. Currently, he serves as the Global Technical Lead of Toxin Solutions at Agrimprove.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn