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:

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𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Charlotte Lauridsen from Aarhus University explains how oxidative stress and inflammation affect pig health and productivity. She discusses how immune activity is shaped by metabolism, weaning, gut microbiota, and dietary interventions. Understand how early nutritional strategies can support immune function and reduce chronic challenges in piglets and sows. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Reactive oxygen species increase when mitochondrial activity rises under high metabolic pressure, creating conditions that challenge cellular stability."

Meet the guest: Dr. Charlotte Lauridsen is a professor and Head of the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at Aarhus University, specializing in nutritional immunology in pigs. Her work explores how nutrients affect immune responses, oxidative stress, and inflammation, with emphasis on sow and piglet health during early life and weaning.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:16) Introduction
• (02:43) Nutrient utilization insights
• (04:17) Nutrient cycle connections
• (06:55) Consortium structure
• (08:16) Data gaps and updates
• (10:24) Practical use for nutritionists
• (14:06) Closing thoughts

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

* Fortiva

- Keys Manufacturing

- Kemin

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Chris Hostetler, Director of Animal Science at the National Pork Board, discusses the work of the Nutrient Utilization Consortium and its impact on the swine industry. He explains how updated data, multivariate diet formulation, and coordinated research are shaping the future of sustainable pork production. Discover how science-driven collaboration is improving nutrient efficiency and environmental outcomes. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The biggest driver of sustainability for pork production is the feed that we feed the animals."

Meet the guest: Dr. Chris Hostetler serves as the National Pork Board’s Director of Animal Science, where he oversees research in swine nutrition, genetics, and reproduction. With a background in academia and industry, he focuses on improving production efficiency and sustainability across the pork sector.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:16) Introduction
• (02:43) Nutrient utilization insights
• (04:17) Nutrient cycle connections
• (06:55) Consortium structure
• (08:16) Data gaps and updates
• (10:24) Practical use for nutritionists
• (14:06) Closing thoughts

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

* Fortiva

- Keys Manufacturing

- Kemin

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this special rerun episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Taw Scaff from North Dakota State University discusses the importance of boar nutrition and its direct link to sperm quality and fertility. He explains how energy balance affects libido, semen volume, and motility, and why updating decades-old research is vital to match today’s genetics and technologies. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Boars make up roughly 50% of the next generation, so if they’re not performing optimally, the herd’s reproduction suffers."

Meet the guest: Dr. Taw Scaff earned his Ph.D. in Swine Nutrition and Reproduction from Purdue University, an M.S. in Animal Science, and a B.S. in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University. Now an Assistant Professor and Extension Swine Specialist at North Dakota State University, his work focuses on optimizing swine nutrition, reproduction, and management strategies.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:50) Introduction
• (01:37) Importance of boar nutrition
• (02:19) Sperm viability and nutrition
• (03:53) Energy levels and sperm health
• (05:12) Artificial insemination
• (06:30) Research gaps in boar studies
• (08:35) Closing thoughts

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

* Fortiva

- Kemin

- Keys Manufacturing

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ashley DeDecker from Smithfield Foods discusses the economic and health importance of vaccine compliance in swine production. She explains how proper vaccine storage, administration, and handling can impact herd performance and profitability. Learn practical strategies to improve vaccine compliance and animal health on your farm. Listen now on all major platforms!

"We sometimes start to forget about what it’s costing us, not just the cost of the vaccine, but the cost to care for that vaccine."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ashley DeDecker earned her Ph.D. in swine behavior and stress physiology from the University of Illinois in 2011. She currently serves as Senior Director of Research and Extension at Smithfield Hog Production, overseeing applied research across all areas of swine production. Her work focuses on identifying cost-effective, science-based solutions that improve pig health and performance on farms.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:58) Introduction
• (01:58) Vaccine compliance
• (04:28) Industry challenges
• (06:23) Economic outcomes
• (08:28) Farm improvement steps
• (09:42) Handling techniques
• (12:06) Closing thoughts

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

* Fortiva

- Keys Manufacturing

- Kemin

- Essential Ag Solutions

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Lee Johnston from the University of Minnesota, discusses how nutrition during gestation influences fetal programming and lifetime pig performance. He explains the link between birth weight, survival, and productivity, and highlights research on zinc supplementation in sows. Learn how early nutrition decisions can impact herd efficiency and sustainability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"If gilts are less than one kilo at birth, they're going to have compromised lifetime reproductive performance."

Meet the guest: Dr. Lee Johnston is a Professor of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota, where he has led swine nutrition research for over 35 years. His work has focused on understanding how nutrition during gestation affects pig performance, survival, and sow longevity. His studies on zinc supplementation offer practical strategies for improving herd outcomes.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:09) Introduction
• (01:59) Fetal programming defined
• (04:42) Birth weight effects
• (06:49) Reproductive impact
• (08:25) Role of zinc
• (11:45) Environmental concerns
• (14:16) Closing thoughts

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

* Fortiva

- Kemin

- Keys Manufacturing

- Essential Ag Solutions

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ygor de Paula from the University of Saskatchewan explores precision feeding for immunocastrated pigs. He explains how nutrient adjustments can reduce inflammation, improve gut health, and optimize immune function. Discover how individualized feeding technologies influence the microbiome and energy balance in swine production. Listen now on all major platforms!

"We found that individual precision feeding could reduce unnecessary energy loss to immune response and improve the microbiome."

Meet the guest: Dr. Ygor de Paula is a veterinarian with a Master’s and Ph.D. in Animal Science from the Federal University of Lavras, Brazil, and is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Saskatchewan. His research investigates how nutrition and enteric pathogens affect swine intestinal health, with a focus on immune response and microbiome modulation.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:10) Introduction
• (02:57) Precision feeding concept
• (05:13) Study hypothesis
• (05:46) Immunocastrated pigs focus
• (06:46) Main findings
• (10:11) Practical applications
• (11:35) Closing thoughts

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

* Fortiva

- Keys Manufacturing

- Kemin

- Essential Ag Solutions

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

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In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Anne Huting, a swine researcher at Schothorst Feed Research in the Netherlands, discusses the challenges and opportunities of raising pigs with intact tails. She explains how nutrition, management, and environment interact in tail-biting prevention, and highlights differences between European and U.S. practices. Learn practical strategies to identify risk factors and implement solutions on the farm. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Tail biting is influenced by nutrition, management, and environment, making prevention a complex challenge that requires multifactorial solutions."

Meet the guest: Anne Huting is a swine researcher at Schothorst Feed Research in the Netherlands. She earned her Master’s degree in Animal Nutrition from Wageningen University and focuses on feedstuff evaluation, piglet nutrition, and strategies to prevent damaging behaviors.

Click here to read the full research article!

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:08) Introduction
• (02:38) Tail biting insights
• (06:21) European swine practices
• (09:48) Management and environmental factors
• (11:21) Enrichment strategies
• (13:12) Protocols on farms
• (15:52) Closing thoughts

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

* Fortiva

- Essential Ag Solutions

- Keys Manufacturing

- Kemin

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

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