SwineTime with Pipestone

Episode #86: Building Pork Demand at the Kitchen Table

On this episode of the Swine Time Podcast, host and swine veterinarian Dr. Spencer Wayne sits down with Erin Little, Director of Farm Stats and nutrition enthusiast, to discuss why pork is one of the most protein-efficient, high-quality protein sources available today. Together, they explore how pork can be a lean, affordable, family-friendly staple, breaking down the science behind protein intake, calorie efficiency, andpractical meal planning. This episode connects the farm to thetable—highlighting why pork deserves a leading role in healthy eating and modern nutrition.Erin shares her insights from years of working in swine production and farm data, applying that same analytical mindset to human nutrition and meal planning. Listeners will learn practical tips for getting the most out of pork while keeping meals healthy, efficient, and delicious. Erin dives into the concept of protein efficiency, showing how a simple pork loin delivers twice the protein per calorie compared to processed snacks like protein bars or packaged foods. She explains why pork is not only a lean and affordable source of protein, but also incredibly versatile for the whole family. Erin shares creative ways to prepare pork for kids, including kid-friendly pork “nuggets” from pork loin, as well as using ground pork. The discussion also touches on broader trends in healthy eating, protein intake, and meal planning. Erin explains how knowing your protein needs can help you maintain muscle, manage calories, and make smarter food choices. She also walks through quick, easy ways to compare protein-to-calorie ratios when shopping, helping listeners make informed decisions at the grocery store. Whether you’re a parent looking for nutritious pork recipes, a fitness enthusiast tracking protein, or someone curious about high-quality, efficient protein sources, this episode provides actionable insights and tips for everyday meals. Erin combines her experience in swine production, genetics, and nutrition to make pork accessible, tasty, and a top choice for healthy eating.

Episode #85: ASF in Spain: Real-World Impact, Real-Time Lessons

In this episode of the SwineTime podcast, staff veterinarian Dr. Spencer Wayne is joined by fellow veterinarian and former partner, Dr. Jean Paul Cano, for a discussion on African Swine Fever (ASF).Dr. Cano is a swine veterinarian originally from Venezuela who completed his PhD in Minnesota and spent years working in U.S. production systems before relocating to Spain with his family. Now practicing near Barcelona, Dr. Cano offers a firsthand perspective on Spain’s recent detection of ASF in wild boar populations—and the ripple effects it has had across the pork industry. ASF is a highly complex, resilient virus that affects only pigs, with a very high fatality rate and no commercially viable vaccine. Unlike more fragile viruses, ASF can survive for weeks in fresh pork, months in cured meats, and even years in frozen products, making biosecurity and containment especially challenging. In late November 2025, Spain confirmed ASF in two wild boars found dead in a state park near Barcelona—the country’s first detection since eradicating the disease in 1994.Dr. Cano explains how geography played a critical role in the response. The affected area is surrounded by urban development and multiple fenced highways, creating a natural containment zone. Authorities quickly established control and surveillance rings, intensified carcass searches and testing, restricted animal movement, and implemented targeted depopulation strategies for wild boars.Beyond animal health, the episode dives deep into economic consequences. Spain exports a significant share of its pork production, so ASF immediately disrupted global trade. While some countries halted imports entirely, others accepted pork from unaffected regions under strict regionalization rules. This approach helped Spain avoid a complete export shutdown, though prices still dropped roughly 30–35% in the weeks following detection.The conversation also draws clear parallels to the United States. Drs. Wayne and Cano discuss how programs like the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Program (U.S. SHIP) are designed to provide the same kind of credibility and structure that allowed Spain to maintain market access. Regionalization, transparent communication, early detection, and pre-established biosecurity and traceability systems all proved critical in limiting damage. The conversation leaves listeners with a practical reminder: ASF isn’t a hypothetical risk or a problem confined to other parts of the world. It’s already moving through major pork-producing regions, and the work done before an outbreak— biosecurity, traceability, and planning—is what determines whether an industry can keep moving forward or comes to a standstill.

Episode #84: How to Identify Sick Pigs Early

In this episode of the SwineTime podcast, staff veterinarian and Pipestone Holdings owner Dr. Spencer Wayne is joined by fellow veterinarian and partner Dr. Joseph Yaros for a practical discussion on one of the most critical aspects of swine production: identifying sick pigs early and responding appropriately.The conversation centers on real-world, barn-level observations that help producers and caretakers detect health challenges before they turn into larger performance or mortality issues. Dr. Yaros emphasizes that early recognition and timely intervention are essential to protecting pig health, animal welfare, and overall production efficiency. To simplify daily pig assessments, Dr. Yaros introduces the “SANTA” acronym, an easy-to-remember framework for evaluating individual pigs: Stance – Pigs standing with drooped heads, low ears, or a dull posture may be showing early signs of illness.Appetite – Slab-sided pigs or those lacking proper belly fill often indicate reduced feed intake and should be monitored or treated.Neurologic signs – Head tilt, circling, paddling, or failure to move normally when approached can signal serious health concerns.Thumping (respiratory distress) – Heavy breathing, coughing, or abdominal “thumping” suggests respiratory disease that may require prompt intervention.Ambulation – Lameness, stiffness, or difficulty rising can indicate pain, injury, or infection.The discussion then expands from individual pigs to overall barn health using the “WINTER” acronym, which focuses on two key indicators: water intake and energy level. Dr. Yaros explains that declines in water consumption often occur days before visible health problems and should be tracked consistently. Low energy in the barn—such as reduced noise or poor response when entering a room—can also be an early warning sign of health challenges.The episode also provides practical rules of thumb for treatment thresholds, helping producers decide when individual pig treatments are appropriate versus when water or feed medications should be considered. Special attention is given to enteric disease in young pigs, where rapid dehydration and rising mortality make swift action essential.Throughout the episode, Drs. Wayne and Yaros stress the importance of proactive communication with your veterinarian, using tools like daily records, photos, videos, and water intake data to guide decision-making. This SwineTime episode delivers actionable insights to help producers improve pig health monitoring, reduce losses, and maintain strong herd performance.

Episode #83: Reinvesting in Your Operation: Maximizing ROI

In this episode of the SwineTime podcast, host Dr. Spencer Wayne sits down with Damon Vander Maten, Director of FarmBooks at Pipestone, to dig into one of the biggest questions farm families face: When is the right time to reinvest in your farm assets?Damon brings extensive experience analyzing farm financials,helping producers make sense of balance sheets, debt loads, cash flow, and long-term planning. Together, Spencer and Damon walk through practical, down-to-earth ways farmers can evaluate whether to repair, replace, or rebuild barns and other infrastructure—and how to decide which part of a multi-enterprise operation (pigs, cattle, crops, etc.) deserves capital first.Key topics include:How to know if you're financially ready to invest, usingsimple rules of thumb like matching your percent equity to your age.Prioritizing repairs vs. new construction, and why youshould fix barns before they start hurting production.Comparing returns across your operation—hog barns vs. crops vs. cattle—and how to identify where capital truly pays off.Using financial ratios like current ratio and debt-to-equity to understand your “purchasing power.”Market cycles and timing, including why down years often present the best opportunities for expansion.Build, remodel, or rent? Damon breaks down how to compare the real return on each option.Whether you're a producer weighing your next building project or simply trying to better understand your own financial position, this conversation offers clear, approachable guidance on managing farm assets with confidence and long-term vision.

Episode #82: Barn to Buyer - What Drives Weaned Pig Value

In this episode, Dr. Spencer Wayne sits down with Hayden Kerkaert, Director of Pig Sales & Marketing for Pipestone Management, to break down the current weaned pig market and what it means for producers across the country. Hayden shares practical insights on what drives pig value, pricing,and performance.The weaned pig market has stayed strong longer than manyexpected. Unlike past short-term spikes, today’s high prices have lasted nearly a year, driven by tight pig supply, health challenges like PRRS, and some producers exiting the industry. Understanding why prices remain high—and whatbuyers are looking for—is critical for anyone raising or purchasing pigs.Hayden and Spencer cover the key factors affecting weanedpig prices, with health status at the top of the list. Buyers need clear, detailed information on a pig’s health, including PRRS status, vaccination history, and disease exposure, because it’s critical for them to know what’s coming into their barn. Vaccinated pigs generally perform better and can command higher value. Misunderstanding or missing these details can lead to costly mistakes, which is why Hayden emphasizes the importance of working closely with your veterinarian. Beyond the numbers, trust and strong relationships between buyers and sellers are just as important—producers who communicate openly and reliably about pig health create lasting partnerships and maintain the value of their pigs.Pig age, genetics, and attributes also matter. Older pigs(23–24 days) often bring a premium because they thrive in the nursery and have lower mortality. Genetics like Duroc-sired pigs, and attributes such as Prop 12 compliance or open pen gestation, can influence contracts and buyer interest. Timing and pig flow management—getting pigs to the right barn at the right time—also play a major role in profitability.Whether you’re a producer selling pigs, a buyer sourcing animals, or managing a sow farm, this episode provides real-world guidance you can put to work today. Hayden breaks down complex market dynamics into practical advice for navigating the weaned pig market, keeping pigs healthy,and maximizing return on every head.Tune in for insights that help you make smarter decisions for your pigs, your barn, and your bottom line.