Dr. Jack Dekkers: Tools for Resilient Pigs | Ep. 159

In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jack Dekkers from Iowa State University explores the genetics of disease resilience in pigs. He explains how measuring stress hormones like cortisol in hair can serve as a powerful tool to identify animals better equipped to handle health challenges. Discover how these heritable traits can support smarter breeding strategies and promote stronger, healthier herds. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"Disease resilience is the ability of a pig to cope with infection, recover, and continue growing."

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Jack Dekkers, C.F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University, received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. from Wageningen Agricultural University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in Animal Breeding. His research focuses on the genetic improvement of feed efficiency and health in pigs and poultry.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:20) Introduction
• (02:04) Disease resilience focus
• (03:06) Gene editing limitations
• (04:35) Stress hormones in hair
• (08:09) Genetics of stress response
• (11:10) Publishing genetic findings
• (13:42) Closing thoughts

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

* Boehringer Ingelheim

- Farm Health Guardian

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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