In this special re-run episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, we bring back our conversation with Casey Neill from Carthage Veterinary Services, who explores the critical aspects of sow and piglet feeding. He breaks down strategies for improving lactation diets, ensuring smooth transitions for nursery pigs, and optimizing feed forms like crumbles and meals for better performance. Tune in on your preferred platform today!

"The lactation diet is an area we need to focus on, considering how much pigs and milk these sows are producing."

Meet the guest: Casey Neill earned his M.S. in swine nutrition from Kansas State University and has built a strong career supporting commercial swine systems. He has served as a swine nutritionist with Christensen Farms, Genus PLC, Pipestone, and currently with Carthage Veterinary Service, where he consults with independent producers on diet formulation and feed mill management.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:15) Introduction
• (03:13) Sow nutrition
• (04:07) Optimizing lactation diets
• (05:15) Younger parity sows
• (08:35) Strategies for nursery diets
• (11:41) Feed forms for nursery pigs
• (13:32) Closing thoughts

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

* Kemin

* Fortiva

- DietForge

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jamie Studer, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Iowa State University, explains why the transition from late gestation to lactation is one of the most critical periods for sow productivity and longevity. She discusses postpartum dysgalactia syndrome, metabolic adaptations, immune activation, and nutrient partitioning that influence milk production and piglet survival. Learn practical insights grounded in research that matters to modern swine systems. Listen now on all major platforms!

“The transition period includes substantial metabolic and hormonal changes that shift nutrient partitioning toward milk production rather than supporting gestation.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Jamie Studer earned her M.S. in 2021 and Ph.D. in 2025 in animal physiology with a focus on swine reproductive physiology at Iowa State University under Dr. Jason Ross. Her research centers on late gestation and lactation disorders, including postpartum dysgalactia syndrome and pelvic organ prolapse, with emphasis on metabolic and physiological adaptations.

Click here to read the full research article!

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:31) Introduction
• (03:18) Research focus
• (04:20) Transition importance
• (05:52) PDS explained
• (06:41) Risk factors
• (08:38) Industry gaps
• (10:58) Final Questions

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

* Kemin

* Fortiva

- Keys Manufacturing

- DietForge

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Felipe Hickmann, animal scientist and PhD researcher from Université Laval, Canada, and UFRGS, in Brazil, explains how phytase supplementation influences environmental sustainability in pig production. He discusses life cycle assessment results, phosphorus utilization, manure management, and precision feeding strategies. Learn research gaps and practical implications for reducing environmental impacts through nutrition. Listen now on all major platforms and stay ahead in swine nutrition science!

“More than 60% of environmental impact in pig production systems is linked to feed inputs, making nutrition the most influential lever for sustainability improvement.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Felipe Hickmann is an animal scientist with extensive experience in pig and poultry production systems, nutrition, and sustainability. He earned his PhD in Animal Sciences through a joint program between UFRGS in Brazil and Université Laval in Canada, with research conducted in Australia, Canada, the United States, and Switzerland. His work focuses on nutrition strategies, manure management, and life cycle assessment in non-ruminant systems.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:05) Introduction
• (02:32) Feed impacts
• (03:26) Phytase research
• (05:33) Phosphorus levels
• (07:09) Manure handling
• (10:05) Precision feeding
• (12:16) Final Questions

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

* Fortiva

* Kemin

- DietForge

- Keys Manufacturing

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

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In this special episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, we bring you the second part of our crossover conversation with The Swine it Podcast Show Canada. Co-host Dr. Ruurd Zijlstra continues the discussion with Dr. Anja Strathe from the University of Copenhagen, focusing on transition diets, fiber strategies, milk production, and feeding management during lactation. Learn practical insights to support sow performance and long-term longevity. Listen now on all major platforms!

If you follow the swine industry in Canada or want to stay close to what is happening there, check out The Swine it Podcast Show Canada. Listen now on all major platforms!

"My focus is also a lot on can we do something through nutrition of the sow that improves either milk yield or milk quality."

Meet the guest: Dr. Anja Varmløse Strathe is an Associate Professor in Porcine Nutrition at the University of Copenhagen. She has worked with sow nutrition for over a decade in Denmark and the U.S. Dr. Anja earned her MSc in Agronomy and PhD from the University of Copenhagen. Her focus includes fundamental studies on sow physiology and applied nutrition research in partnership with the swine industry.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:21) Introduction
• (02:41) Fiber in transition diets
• (04:40) Lactation period
• (07:04) Piglet nutrition strategies
• (09:28) Sow body condition
• (11:37) Creep feeding
• (14:36) Closing thoughts

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

* Fortiva

* Kemin

- DietForge

- Keys Manufacturing

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, Drs. Augspurger and Borg share highlights of the U.S. Soy-sponsored symposium featured at the upcoming ASAS Midwest Section meeting. The Science and Commercial Application of Soybean Meal in Today’s Pig Diets includes the latest research, but with a primary emphasis on practical applications, including an economic assessment in commercial environments. You will also hear about a new financial modeling tool designed for swine nutritionists to better understand the economic value of these insights on their operations. Listen now on all major platforms.

"This symposium brings forward new knowledge about the use of soybean meal in swine nutrition and health applications. It features an impressive list of speakers discussing the development of the corn-soy diet for pigs, soybean meal quality, net energy values, practical applications, and economics."

Dr. Nathan Augspurger, United Soybean Board

"This financial modeling tool can help swine nutritionists go beyond the formulation desk — it’s an all-inclusive, integrated web-based digital model that estimates the financial value of nutritional strategies in order to maximize growth potential and profitability."

Dr. Bart Borg, Passel Farms

Meet the guests:

Bart Borg, Ph.D., Vice President of Feed and Nutrition, Passel Farms, Ames, IA

Barton Borg, VP, Passel Farms, leads the feed manufacturing and nutrition team. Prior to this role, he spent nine years as the director of nutrition for Standard Nutrition Services and 14 years as the director of feed operations for Murphy Brown LLC. During his time with Murphy Brown, Bart was involved in nutrition, ingredient procurement, feed manufacturing, R&D activities, and ISO22000 implementation.

Nathan Augspurger, Vice President, Animal Nutrition and Health, United Soybean Board

Nathan Augspurger serves as Vice President of Animal Nutrition and Health with the United Soybean Board, where he manages strategic Checkoff investments in animal nutrition and health research to drive demand, enhance reputation, and increase the value of soybean products for producers and farmers. With an educational background in monogastric nutrition, Nathan brings diverse industry experience spanning nutrition research, commercial technical service, and product development in both feed additives and animal health. This comprehensive perspective enables Nathan to bridge research innovation with practical applications that deliver measurable value across livestock production systems.

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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

Dr. Goodband & Dr. Mendoza: Listen to the Pigs - Performance Impact of Increasing Soybean Meal With and Without DDGS | Ep. 177

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:44) Introduction
• (02:09) Symposium focus
• (03:09) Speaker lineup
• (05:32) Financial decision-making tool
• (08:04) Practical applications
• (09:49) Tool availability
• (11:46) Closing thoughts

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

United Soybean

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 special episode of the Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, we bring you a crossover with The Swine it Podcast Show Canada. Co-host Dr. Ruurd Zijlstra sits down with Dr. Anja Strathe from the University of Copenhagen to discuss practical sow feeding strategies, piglet birth weight, early gestation nutrition, and mortality around farrowing in hyperprolific systems. Dr. Strathe shares how research-based insights can help shape better nutritional decisions for sow herds. Listen now on all major platforms.

If you follow the swine industry in Canada or want to stay close to what is happening there, check out The Swine it Podcast Show Canada. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Piglet birth weight is really correlated to piglet mortality, and very small piglets require extensive management to survive in modern hyper prolific systems."

Meet the guest: Dr. Anja Varmløse Strathe is an Associate Professor in Porcine Nutrition at the University of Copenhagen. She has worked with sow nutrition for over a decade in Denmark and the U.S. Dr. Anja earned her MSc in Agronomy and PhD from the University of Copenhagen. Her focus includes fundamental studies on sow physiology and applied nutrition research in partnership with the swine industry.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:21) Introduction
• (01:51) Importance of sow nutrition
• (04:17) Improving piglet birthweight
• (06:21) Trials insights
• (09:49) Nutritional strategies
• (13:19) Closing thoughts

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

* Kemin

* Fortiva

- Keys Manufacturing

- DietForge

- Pharmacosmos

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. Chad Hastad from New Fashion Pork explains how mycotoxins and endotoxins influence enteric stability and post-weaning performance. He outlines key risk points in nursery flows, practical strategies to support mucosal integrity, and tools that help mitigate subclinical toxin pressure. Learn how prevention-based nutrition programs strengthen gut function and improve early pig care. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Endotoxins directly affect the intestinal mucosa, weakening barrier function and allowing additional challenges to influence nutrient absorption."

Meet the guest: Dr. Chad Hastad serves as Director of Research, Nutrition, and Operational Support at New Fashion Pork. His experience spans feed mill operations, consulting, and applied research focused on improving swine nutrition programs and production efficiency. His work centers on enteric stability, toxin management, and practical strategies that support high-performance nursery systems.

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Dr. Ashley Wagner: Nutritional Strategies for Stress | Ep. 166

Dr. Josep Garcia Sirera: Managing Endotoxins in Swine | Ep. 171

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:23) Introduction
• (02:59) Enteric challenges
• (04:15) Toxin interactions
• (05:33) Protective strategies
• (08:23) Management insights
• (11:60 → 12:00) Biosecurity tools
• (16:11) Closing thoughts

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

Essential Ag Solutions

* Fortiva

* Kemin

- DietForge

- Keys Manufacturing

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

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In this special rerun episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Sam Gerrard, postdoctoral fellow at Virginia Tech, breaks down how immune challenges shift nutrient use in pigs and impact performance. The conversation covers reduced feed intake, immune-driven nutrient diversion, and how pair feeding models help separate disease effects from intake effects. Dr. Gerrard explains why understanding physiology during health challenges is critical for maintaining feed efficiency and animal welfare. Listen now on all major platforms.

"The immune system diverts nutrients from lean tissue accretion toward defense, significantly altering metabolic priorities during immune challenges."

Meet the guest: Dr. Sam Gerrard holds a DVM and a PhD in Nutritional Physiology and is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Tech. His work focuses on swine physiology, immune challenges, and nutrient allocation during disease.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:16) Introduction
• (03:14) Swine immune response
• (04:57) Feed intake impact
• (06:05) Pair-feeding explained
• (07:12) Different responses
• (10:04) Nutritional interventions
• (13:06) Closing thoughts

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

* Fortiva

* Kemin

- DietForge

- Keys Manufacturing

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