- Dr. Talita Resende: Sapovirus in Suckling and Weaned Pigs with Diarrhea | Ep. 229
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Talita Resende, Assistant Professor and Food Animal Diagnostician at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, explains how sapovirus affects suckling and weaned pigs with diarrhea. She discusses PCR interpretation, rotavirus and E. coli coinfections, intestinal sampling, and in situ hybridization for clearer diagnostic decisions. Listen now on all major platforms!
Click here to learn more!
"PCR by itself may not identify the main culprit in enteric coinfections, so combined diagnostic methods can clarify farm-level disease investigations."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Talita Resende is an Assistant Professor and Food Animal Diagnostician at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Her work focuses on swine diseases, veterinary diagnostics, pathology, teaching, research, and service, with previous roles at The Ohio State University and universities in Brazil. Learn more from Dr. Talita Resende on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:11) Introduction
- (02:02) Sapovirus background
- (03:04) PCR interpretation
- (05:26) Coinfection patterns
- (07:49) In situ hybridization
- (10:51) Intestinal sampling
- (13:34) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Gilt
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
Instagram: Swine Campus
Facebook: Swine Campus
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S3E229 - 13m - Sep 30, 2026 - Dr. Derald Holtkamp: Global Benchmarking for U.S. Swine Producers - Part 2 | Ep. 228
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Derald Holtkamp, Professor at Iowa State University, discusses how the Global Swine Benchmarking Project compares U.S. pork production with other countries, highlighting why Brazil has become the world's lowest-cost producer. He explains the economic impact of productivity, mortality, disease pressure, and biosecurity on global competitiveness while outlining opportunities for improvement in U.S. swine production. Listen now on all major platforms.
"Productivity currently separates Brazil from the United States because disease-related mortality continues to create measurable losses throughout the production system."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Derald Holtkamp is a Professor of Swine Production Medicine at Iowa State University. He earned both his M.S. and D.V.M. from Iowa State University, where his work has focused on swine production medicine, production economics, biosecurity, outbreak investigations, and global benchmarking. His research supports practical, data-driven strategies that improve swine health and production systems worldwide. Learn more from Dr. Derald Holtkamp on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:35) Introduction
- (02:35) Cost position
- (05:35) Profitability drivers
- (08:14) Productivity gap
- (09:52) Mortality trends
- (13:55) Feed conversion
- (16:48) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Gilt
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
Instagram: Swine Campus
Facebook: Swine Campus
TikTok: Swine Campus
S3E228 - 18m - Sep 23, 2026 - Dr. Derald Holtkamp: Global Swine Benchmarking Project - Part 1 | Ep. 227
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Derald Holtkamp from Iowa State University explains how the global swine benchmarking project compares biological and financial performance across countries. He discusses annual reports, market data, quarterly updates, and why producers should focus on relative country positions rather than isolated numbers. Listen now on all major platforms!
Click here to learn more!
"Quarterly benchmarking updates can make global swine data more current by adjusting prices, feed ingredients, and exchange rates."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Derald Holtkamp is a Professor of Swine Production Medicine at Iowa State University. He earned both his M.S. and D.V.M. from Iowa State University, where his work has focused on swine production medicine, production economics, biosecurity, outbreak investigations, and global benchmarking. His research supports practical, data-driven strategies that improve swine health and production systems worldwide. Learn more from Dr. Derald Holtkamp on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:29) Introduction
- (02:19) Global benchmarking
- (03:58) Asian data
- (05:43) Quarterly updates
- (07:29) Representative farms
- (09:09) Data interpretation
- (12:48) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Gilt
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
Instagram: Swine Campus
Facebook: Swine Campus
TikTok: Swine Campus
S3E227 - 13m - Sep 16, 2026 - Dr. Erin Kettelkamp: Biosecurity Audits That Prevent Disease | Ep. 226
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Erin Kettelkamp from Swine Vet Center reviews common biosecurity audit findings from the Spring 2026 outbreak season across the Midwest. She explains how PRRS pressure exposed filtration leaks, transport gaps, smoke testing needs, and daily execution issues that can weaken even strong biosecurity investments. Listen now on all major platforms!
"Basic biosecurity execution can determine whether a filtration investment delivers real protection or leaves costly gaps exposed."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Erin Kettelkamp is a consulting swine veterinarian with Swine Vet Center in northern Illinois. She specializes in herd health, biosecurity, and disease prevention across all phases of swine production, with applied field research focused on disease prevention and practical biosecurity solutions. Learn more from Dr. Erin Kettelkamp on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (00:56) Introduction
- (02:03) Outbreak audits
- (03:32) Biosecurity basics
- (03:56) Filter maintenance
- (05:50) Transport gaps
- (07:02) Execution audits
- (13:14) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Gilt
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
Instagram: Swine Campus
Facebook: Swine Campus
TikTok: Swine Campus
S3E226 - 13m - Sep 9, 2026 - Dr. Berenice Munguia-Ramirez: Diagnostic Tools to Strengthen Disease Preparedness | Ep. 225
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Berenice Munguia-Ramirez from Iowa State University explains how active participatory surveillance can improve foreign animal disease preparedness. She discusses producer participation, sampling frequency, testing costs, and laboratory capacity for detecting ASF or CSF at low prevalence. Listen now on all major platforms!
Pilot Assessment of RNA Stabilization Methods for Influenza A Virus in Swine Oral Fluids
"Frequent sampling and producer participation can make active participatory surveillance sensitive enough to detect disease at very low prevalence."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Berenice Munguia-Ramirez earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Sonora Institute of Technology in México and a Master of Science in Veterinary Preventive Medicine from Iowa State University. Doctoral studies at Iowa State University focused on improving swine disease diagnostics using oral fluids and swine epidemiology. Learn more from Dr. Berenice Munguia-Ramirez on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:01) Introduction
- (01:46) Surveillance history
- (04:14) Participatory surveillance
- (06:38) Detection drivers
- (08:39) Surveillance costs
- (11:26) Laboratory capacity
- (14:38) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Gilt
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
Instagram: Swine Campus
Facebook: Swine Campus
TikTok: Swine Campus
S3E225 - 15m - Sep 2, 2026 - Dr. Mariah Post: Oral Fluids for Detection and Characterization of Salmonella | Ep. 224
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Mariah Post, Research Assistant at Iowa State University, explains how oral fluid testing can support Salmonella surveillance. She discusses culture results, serotyping, PCR enrichment, antimicrobial resistance testing, and when oral fluids complement fecal samples. Listen now on all major platforms!
"Growing Salmonella from oral fluids can help swine teams move from simple detection to serotyping and antimicrobial resistance insight."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Mariah Post is a Research Assistant at Iowa State University and a member of the Field Epidemiology (FieldEpi) team, where she conducts research on swine health surveillance and disease prevention. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. investigating the association between biosecurity practices and PRRSV outbreaks. Dr. Post earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in Brazil and completed an M.S. focused on Salmonella detection using oral fluid samples. Listen to The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast featuring Dr. Mariah Post, available on all major platforms.
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Dr. Eduarda Braga: Mapping PCV2 Genotypes in the U.S. | Ep. 209
Dr. Edison Magalhaes: Causal Impact Of PRRS Dosing | Ep. 214
Dr. Jana Morgan: PCV2 Surveillance Insights | Ep. 217
What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:34) Introduction
- (02:24) Characterizing Salmonella
- (05:14) PCR enrichment
- (07:20) Sample choice
- (08:59) Industry adoption
- (09:51) Future validation
- (11:12) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Gilt
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
Instagram: Swine Campus
Facebook: Swine Campus
TikTok: Swine Campus
S3E224 - 11m - Aug 26, 2026 - Dr. Bhanu Telugu: Biotechnology Shaping Future Agriculture | Ep. 223
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Bhanu Telugu, Associate Professor at the University of Missouri, explains how livestock biotechnology can support animal health and human medicine. He discusses the CRISPR tool, base editing, disease models, and regulatory barriers that shape how gene-edited pigs may reach the industry. Listen now on all major platforms!
"Complex gene editing can remove dozens of genomic barriers in one generation, supporting broader applications in livestock biotechnology."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Bhanu Telugu is an Associate Professor in the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri. His work focuses on animal biotechnology, stem cell biology, gene editing, livestock disease models, and biomedical applications using pigs. He earned a PhD in Animal Sciences from the University of Missouri and completed postdoctoral training in stem cell biology. Learn more from Dr. Bhanu Telugu on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:12) Introduction
- (02:16) CRISPR applications
- (03:58) Editing tools
- (06:29) Organ transplantation
- (09:10) Pig disease models
- (12:12) Biotechnology regulation
- (14:15) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Gilt
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
Instagram: Swine Campus
Facebook: Swine Campus
TikTok: Swine Campus
S3E223 - 14m - Aug 19, 2026 - Dr. Jane Wongchanla: Functional Amino Acids in Weaned Pigs | Ep. 222
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jane Wongchanla, a PhD candidate at the University of California, Davis, explains how L-glutamate and L-aspartate support gut integrity in weaned pigs. She explains their role as functional amino acids, their impact on gut integrity and metabolism, and their potential to reduce antibiotic reliance in swine production. Listen now on all major platforms!
Click here to read the full research article!
"Functional amino acid supplementation showed effects similar to antibiotics while changing immune and metabolic responses in weaned pigs."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Jane Wongchanla is a PhD candidate in Animal Biology at the University of California, Davis. Her research uses pig models to study how L-glutamate and L-aspartate affect intestinal barrier integrity, immune signaling, metabolism, growth performance, and antibiotic reliance. With a veterinary medicine background from Kasetsart University, she connects nutrition, immunology, and applied swine health. Learn more from Dr. Jane Wongchanla on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:32) Introduction
- (02:10) Amino acid roles
- (03:41) Weaning gut stress
- (05:07) Intestinal energy
- (06:47) Diet supplementation
- (08:02) Antibiotic comparison
- (11:12) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Gilt
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
Instagram: Swine Campus
Facebook: Swine Campus
TikTok: Swine Campus
S3E222 - 11m - Aug 12, 2026 - Dr. Larry Rueff and Dr. Darryl D'Souza: Immunocastration Economics and Welfare | Ep. 221
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Larry Rueff, Founder of Swine Veterinary Services, and Dr. Darryl D'Souza, Executive General Manager at SunPork Group, discuss immunocastration in boars and gilts. They explain performance gains, carcass quality, welfare benefits, sustainability, and the effects of global adoption on producer competitiveness. Listen now on all major platforms!
"Immunocastration can improve pig welfare, reduce feed demand, and support stronger production efficiency without leaving market value behind."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁s:
Dr. Larry Rueff is a veterinarian and the founder of Swine Veterinary Services, with more than 40 years of swine industry experience in veterinary medicine, research barns, employee training, and animal welfare.
Dr. Darryl D'Souza is Executive General Manager at SunPork Group and a meat scientist focused on innovation, value chains, and sustainable pork production.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:23) Introduction
- (02:33) Boar performance
- (03:43) Gilt growth
- (04:23) Australian perspective
- (07:28) Animal welfare
- (10:29) Global competitiveness
- (15:13) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Gilt
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
Instagram: Swine Campus
Facebook: Swine Campus
TikTok: Swine Campus
S3E221 - 15m - Aug 5, 2026 - Dr. Lucas Ferreira: Trailer Contamination at the Harvest Facilities | Ep. 220
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Lucas Ferreira, a Research Assistant at the University of Minnesota, discusses trailer contamination risks at packing plants. He shares research on pathogen prevalence, seasonal trends, driver biosecurity practices, and factors contributing to contamination during transport. He highlights opportunities to strengthen biosecurity and reduce disease transmission across swine operations. Listen now on all major platforms!
"Trailer washing gaps allow harvest plant contamination to increase pathogen risk before equipment returns to farms or wash facilities."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Lucas Ferreira is a veterinarian from Brazil currently pursuing a master's degree at the University of Minnesota. His work focuses on swine pathogen epidemiology, detection, control, and prevalence, with an emphasis on science-driven solutions that improve herd health and biosecurity. Learn more from Dr. Lucas Ferreira on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (02:12) Introduction
- (03:01) Trailer contamination
- (05:14) Positive trailers
- (06:55) Washing gaps
- (07:42) Plant biosecurity
- (10:02) Driver training
- (13:24) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
* Gilt
- WiseVAs
- Elevate
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
Instagram: Swine Campus
Facebook: Swine Campus
TikTok: Swine Campus
S3E220 - 13m - Jul 29, 2026 - Dr. Joaquim Segalés: ASF Control Update | Ep. 219
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Joaquim Segalés, Full Professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and researcher at IRTA CReSA, explains Spain’s African swine fever situation. He discusses disease surveillance, containment efforts, biosecurity challenges, economic consequences, and the ongoing risk of spread. Listen now on all major platforms!
"African swine fever control can fall behind disease movement, but Spain’s outbreak remains relatively well concentrated for now."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Joaquim Segalés is a Full Professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a researcher at IRTA CReSA in Spain. His work focuses on veterinary microbiology, infectious diseases, and swine health research. Learn more from Dr. Joaquim Segalés on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (00:59) Introduction
- (02:04) Spain ASF status
- (03:59) Wild boar cases
- (04:50) Export impact
- (06:13) Carcass removal
- (08:00) Immunization insights
- (11:32) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
* Gilt
- Elevate
- WiseVAs
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
Instagram: Swine Campus
Facebook: Swine Campus
TikTok: Swine Campus
S3E219 - 11m - Jul 22, 2026 - Dr. Lukas Schwarz: Birch Polypore Against Post-Weaning Diarrhea | Ep. 218
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Lukas Schwarz, from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna in Austria, discusses the potential of birch polypore mushrooms as a novel strategy to support post-weaning diarrhea management in pigs. He shares research findings on gut barrier function, microbiome changes, and alternatives to zinc oxide and antibiotics. Listen now on all major platforms!
"Birch polypore decoction changed tissue conductance within seconds and showed a strong gut closure response in post-weaning diarrhea research."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Lukas Schwarz is a Post-Doc at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna in Austria and Deputy Head of the University's Senate. His work spans swine clinical practice, herd health, teaching, research, and veterinary parasitology, with a focus on supporting swine farmers and veterinarians. Learn more from Dr. Lukas Schwarz on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!
What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:46) Introduction
- (03:36) Birch polypore research
- (05:14) Gut barrier function
- (06:16) Trial insights
- (09:26) Microbiome shifts
- (12:53) Patent pathway
- (15:06) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
* Gilt
- Elevate
- WiseVAs
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
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Facebook: Swine Campus
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S3E218 - 14m - Jul 15, 2026 - Dr. Jana Morgan: PCV2 Surveillance Insights | Ep. 217
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jana Morgan, Senior Key Account Veterinarian at Boehringer Ingelheim, explains large-scale PCV2 surveillance across U.S. swine systems. She highlights dominant genotypes, consistency across regions, and the role of vaccination in herd stability. Dr. Morgan connects sequencing insights to practical disease control strategies. Listen now on all major platforms!
"If we can protect against the most recent PCV2 genotype, then those production parameters should continue to improve, leading to better outcomes for producers as they move forward."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Jana Morgan earned her BS and DVM from Iowa State University and completed advanced veterinary training at the University of Illinois. With experience at Christensen Farms, Iowa Select Farms, and Boehringer Ingelheim, her work focuses on swine health, disease control, and vaccination strategies. She also coordinates and facilitates the DVM Swine Academy Program for Boehringer Ingelheim. Learn more from Dr. Jana Morgan on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast. Listen on all major platforms!
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Dr. Guilherme Cezar: Dynamic Pig Health Project | Ep. 184
Dr. Emma Helm: Lawsonia & Gut Microbiota | Ep. 201
Dr. Eduarda Braga: Mapping PCV2 Genotypes in the U.S. | Ep. 209
What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (00:49) Introduction
- (01:51) Genotype overview
- (03:24) Clinical comparison
- (03:50) Surveillance purpose
- (06:19) Future risks
- (08:08) Disease pressure
- (10:33) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Ralco
- Elevate
- WiseVAs
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
Instagram: Swine Campus
Facebook: Swine Campus
TikTok: Swine Campus
S3E217 - 10m - Jul 8, 2026 - Dr. Amanda Reever: Sire Line Data That Matters | Ep. 216
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Amanda Reever, Veterinarian and Director of Research at Suidae Health & Production, explains how a collaborative sire line trial fairly compared boar lines under commercial conditions. She discusses collaboration with genetics companies, trial controls, data sharing, benchmarking, and how producers can use evidence to make better sire line decisions. Listen now on all major platforms!
"Genetics decisions should be backed by transparent trial data that shows whether comparisons were truly apples to apples and relevant to each farm system."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Amanda Reever is a Veterinarian and Director of Research at Suidae Health & Production. Her work supports swine producers through practical research, production-focused decision making, and applied trials that help connect health, genetics, and commercial performance. Learn more from Dr. Amanda Reever on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:14) Introduction
- (02:01) Sire line setup
- (03:54) Industry collaboration
- (05:57) Fair trial design
- (07:17) Data sharing rules
- (08:51) Producer takeaways
- (11:59) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Ralco
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
Instagram: Swine Campus
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
S3E216 - 12m - Jul 1, 2026 - Maria Hakimi: Brachyspira Resistance Gaps | Ep. 215
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Maria Hakimi, PhD student at Iowa State University, explains the history of swine dysentery, the complexity of identifying Brachyspira species, and current insights into antimicrobial resistance and genomics. She highlights diagnostic advances and research gaps affecting disease understanding and control in modern swine systems. Listen now on all major platforms!
Click here to read the full research articles:
"Limited Brachyspira research creates concern because misdiagnosis can hide resistance patterns before clear field trends appear."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Maria Hakimi is a PhD student at Iowa State University specializing in molecular microbiology and bioinformatics. She holds a master’s degree in Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine from Iowa State University, where her work focuses on microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, and Brachyspira research relevant to swine health. Learn more from Maria Hakimi on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:13) Introduction
- (02:03) Brachyspira history
- (04:10) Susceptibility testing
- (06:24) Diagnostic tools
- (09:13) Resistance patterns
- (10:43) Resistance mechanisms
- (12:07) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Ralco
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
Instagram: Swine Campus
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
S3E215 - 12m - Jun 24, 2026 - Dr. Edison Magalhaes: Causal Impact Of PRRS Dosing | Ep. 214
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Edison Magalhaes from Iowa State University presents findings from a large-scale retrospective cohort study evaluating the causal impact of full-dose PRRS immunization on nursery mortality. Using production data and advanced analytical methods, he explains how confounding factors changed the interpretation of results and highlights practical lessons for veterinarians and producers making data-driven decisions. Listen now on all major platforms!
Click here to read the full research article!
"Raw production data can mislead immunization decisions when confounding factors hide the real value of full-dose PRRS protocols."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Edison Magalhaes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University and holds degrees in Veterinary Medicine, Business Administration, and advanced training through MSc and PhD programs. His research applies data science and epidemiological methods to large scale swine production systems, helping transform production records into practical decisions for health and performance. Listen to The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast featuring Dr. Edison Magalhaes on all major platforms.
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Dr. Emma Helm: Lawsonia & Gut Microbiota | Ep. 201
Dr. Eduarda Braga: Mapping PCV2 Genotypes in the U.S. | Ep. 209
What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:09) Introduction
- (01:59) Dosing question
- (03:29) Study design overview
- (05:21) Raw data bias
- (06:49) Comparing PRRS status
- (07:59) Nursery focus
- (13:34) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Ralco
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
Instagram: Swine Campus
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
S3E214 - 14m - Jun 17, 2026 - Dr. Brent Sexton: Farm Communication Wins | Ep. 213
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Brent Sexton, Associate Veterinarian at Suidae Health & Production, explains how communication shapes farm execution. He discusses veterinarian roles, client relationships, audience alignment, communication preferences, and practical AI use that supports clear messages without replacing professional judgment. Listen now on all major platforms!
"AI can support veterinary communication when professional judgment guides the message, verifies accuracy, and keeps the final response authentic."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Brent Sexton is an Associate Veterinarian at Suidae Health & Production, where he supports swine producers through herd health, disease prevention, and farm-level communication. His work helps teams align decisions, strengthen relationships, and execute health initiatives across production settings. Learn more from Dr. Brent Sexton on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (00:49) Introduction
- (01:39) Communication goals
- (03:24) Consulting roles
- (06:29) Audience alignment
- (08:36) Communication styles
- (10:29) AI support
- (12:00) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Ralco
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
Instagram: Swine Campus
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
S3E213 - 12m - Jun 10, 2026 - Dr. Angela Bosco-Lauth: Japanese Encephalitis Virus and H5N1 | Ep. 212
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Angela Bosco-Lauth from Colorado State University discusses zoonotic disease risks affecting swine production, including Japanese encephalitis virus and H5N1 influenza. She explores topics including wildlife reservoirs, swine surveillance, immunization challenges, biosecurity strategies, and emerging global threats, such as African swine fever. Learn how prevention and surveillance remain critical for protecting swine health. Listen now on all major platforms!
"Japanese encephalitis virus remains a growing concern because mosquito transmission and wildlife reservoirs create multiple opportunities for future spillover into domestic swine populations.”
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Angela Bosco-Lauth earned her DVM and Ph.D. from Colorado State University and is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Director of the Animal Disease Laboratory. Her research focuses on zoonotic infectious diseases affecting livestock, wildlife, and humans, including influenza viruses, coronaviruses, vector-borne diseases, and biosafety. Her work also explores disease transmission, host susceptibility, and prevention strategies relevant to swine health. Listen to Dr. Angela Bosco-Lauth on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:18) Introduction
- (02:21) JEV risk assessment
- (03:35) Feral swine concerns
- (05:53) H5N1 transmission
- (08:08) Vaccine barriers
- (10:52) Emerging threats
- (11:57) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Ralco
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
Instagram: Swine Campus
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
S3E212 - 12m - Jun 3, 2026 - Magdiel Soriano: TN Visa Workforce Insights | Ep. 211
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Magdiel Soriano, Assistant Extension Professional in Swine at the University of Missouri, explains how TN visa professionals support U.S. swine operations. He shares survey insights on workforce education, skills, and motivations, highlighting strategies to improve training, integration, and retention. Learn how labor research can strengthen productivity and long-term workforce stability. Listen now on all major platforms!
Click here to read the full research article!
"The TN visa program allows trained professionals from Mexico and Canada to contribute to specialized agricultural roles in structured three-year employment periods."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Magdiel Lopez Soriano is an Assistant Extension Professional in Swine and a PhD student at the University of Missouri, focusing on workforce development, swine health, and production systems. With experience in research and large-scale farm management, his work supports producers through data-driven labor strategies and technical training. Learn more from Magdiel Lopez Soriano on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (01:09) Introduction
- (03:34) TN visa basics
- (04:45) Survey design
- (06:24) Key findings
- (07:32) Workforce skills
- (10:57) Future research
- (11:59) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Ralco
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
Instagram: Swine Campus
LinkedIn: Swine Campus
S3E211 - 12m - May 27, 2026 - Mariah Post: Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity | Ep. 210
In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Mariah Post, Research Assistant at Iowa State University, explains practical biosecurity strategies to reduce disease outbreaks in wean-to-finish systems. Key measures include managing indirect contact, improving workflow compliance, and focusing on simple, effective practices like designated parking and bench entry. The discussion highlights training, auditing, and resource allocation for better outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms!
Click here to read the full research article!
"We found that having designated parking areas in the farms really decreases the odds of having outbreaks."
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Mariah Post earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in Brazil and is currently a Research Assistant at Iowa State University and a member of the Field Epidemiology (FieldEpi) team. She is pursuing an M.S. focused on Salmonella detection using oral fluid samples and a Ph.D. investigating biosecurity practices and their association with PRRSV outbreaks. Her research integrates diagnostic data with applied biosecurity to advance swine health surveillance and disease prevention. Learn more from Dr. Mariah Post on The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.
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What you will learn:
- (00:00) Highlight
- (00:49) Introduction
- (01:38) Biosecurity practices
- (03:59) Auditing challenges
- (06:29) Workflow adaptation
- (07:24) Rendering risks
- (08:31) High-density farms
- (11:18) Closing thoughts
The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:
- Ralco
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast
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LinkedIn: Swine Campus
S3E210 - 11m - May 20, 2026
