Understanding Swine Respiratory Disease and Supporting Herd Health | Dr. Jeff Okones
About the Guest After earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1984, Dr. Jeff Okones spent nearly two decades in food animal practice in Eastern Iowa honing his expertise in swine health and production. His problem solving and communication skills led him from private practice to industry, first as a phone […]
Sow Lameness: The Silent Productivity Killer | Dr. Lucas Rodrigues
About the Guest Originally from Brazil, Lucas received his DVM and Master’s degrees from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG, Brazil) and completed his doctoral degree at the Prairie Swine Centre and the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. Lucas joined Zinpro Corporation in 2022 as a discovery researcher for swine. His current role includes […]
Lead Yourself Before You Lead Others | Twyla Stevens
About the Guest Twyla Stevens is an accomplished HR executive with broad experience leading people strategies across national and international teams. As Chief Human Resources Officer at Professional Swine Management, she oversees talent acquisition, organizational development, compensation and benefits, and compliance initiatives. With expertise in workforce planning, leadership development, and change management, Twyla aligns HR […]
In PA, Taste What Pork Can Do™ Brand Campaign Connects with Consumers | Courtney Gray
About the Guest Courtney Gray has been the executive director of the Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council since 2022, where she represents Pennsylvania’s 2,500 pig farmers. Prior to that, she was on the producer education and engagement team at Pennsylvania Beef Council and was a loan officer at Farm Credit. She is a graduate of Penn […]
Fighting Lameness Part 2: From Claws to Care — How Nutrition Builds Stronger Sows | Ton Kramer
About the Guest Ton Kramer holds both master’s and doctorate degrees in Animal Science focused on Swine Locomotion and Health from Federal University of Paraná in Brazil. He has MBAs in Business Management and Project Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas and a postgraduate degree in Marketing from Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing. Ton has […]
From 600 Sows to Prop 12: Health, People, and Practical Growth | Brian Martin
About the Guest Brian Martin is a 5th generation farmer from Northwest Indiana, a husband and father of 3. He has 40 years of experience in Pork industry around the US, and he is Co-Owner and Manager of a 14,000 sow pork production operation.
Turning Challenge Into Opportunity | Kyle Schulte
About the Guest Kyle Schulte, originally from Norway, Iowa, has built a career rooted in agricultural excellence and innovation. He earned a B.S. in Agricultural Studies (2007) and an M.S. in Animal Science (2010) from Iowa State University, where his master’s thesis, “An Evaluation of Equipment and Procedures for the Prediction of Intramuscular Fat in […]
Carroll Family Farms: From Local Roots to Global Reach | John Carroll
About the Guest John Carroll is a managing partner of Carroll Family Farms, a multi-generational farming operation with roots in the U.S. and expansion into Brazil. Known for his strategic vision, John has built a globally integrated operation focused on long-term value, operational excellence, and leadership. His work reflects a deep respect for the land, and a […]
A Credible Path to Lower-Carbon Pork | Lindsay Case
About the Guest Lindsay Case is a senior leader in the global livestock genetics industry, where she directs the commercialization strategy for the world’s first PRRS-resistant pig. She has more than a decade of experience translating genetic innovations into practical solutions for producers worldwide and leads global go-to-market efforts to ensure this breakthrough technology delivers […]
Split Suckling vs. Science: What the Data Says | Dr. Ashley DeDecker
About the Guest Dr. DeDecker received her Ph.D. in swine well-being at the University of Illinois in 2011 and then started her career with Smithfield Foods. Currently Senior Director of Research and Extension for Smithfield Hog Production, Dr. DeDecker oversees applied research in all disciplines of swine production with the goal to identify cost effective […]
What Really Moves the Needle on Pig Livability | Dr. Joel DeRouchey
About the Guest Dr. Joel DeRouchey grew up on a diversified purebred swine, cattle and sheep operation in Pukwana, S.D. He graduated with his Animal Science degree from South Dakota State University in 1997 and his M.S. (1999) and Ph.D. (2001) in Swine Nutrition from Kansas State University. He is currently full professor and State […]
Fighting Lameness with Nutrition and Management | Ton Kramer
About the Guest Ton Kramer holds both master’s and doctorate degrees in Animal Science focused on Swine Locomotion and Health from Federal University of Paraná in Brazil. He has MBAs in Business Management and Project Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas and a postgraduate degree in Marketing from Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing. Ton has […]