The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

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. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!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 thoughtsThe Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Fortiva- Keys Manufacturing- Kemin𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastInstagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastLinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

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. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!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 thoughtsThe Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Fortiva- Keys Manufacturing- Kemin𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastInstagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastLinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

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.Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!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 thoughtsThe Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Fortiva- Kemin- Keys Manufacturing𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastInstagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastLinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

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. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!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 thoughtsThe Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Fortiva- Keys Manufacturing- Kemin- Essential Ag Solutions𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastInstagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastLinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast

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. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!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 thoughtsThe Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:* Fortiva- Kemin- Keys Manufacturing- Essential Ag Solutions𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.Website: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastInstagram: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt PodcastLinkedIn: The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast