Dr. Marina Meester: Identifying Biosecurity Breaks with Genetic Data | Ep. 165

Dr. Carles Vilalta: ASF Spread and Control Insights | Ep. 166

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Carles Vilalta, epidemiologist at IRTA CReSA in Spain, explains the current African swine fever situation, including origin, transmission, and control strategies. He highlights the role of human activity, wild boar dynamics, and biosecurity measures to protect commercial farms. Learn how surveillance and field actions shape disease containment. Listen now on all major platforms! "ASF demonstrates slow animal to animal transmission despite high infectivity, making it a clumsy disease that depends heavily on human mediated spread." Meet the guest: Dr. Carles Vilalta [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlesvilalta/] is an epidemiologist, swine veterinarian, and researcher at IRTA-CReSA in Spain. His work focuses on epidemiology, swine health, disease surveillance, and research support for government and industry programs. Learn more from Dr. Carles Vilalta on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! [https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+swine+it+canada+podcast] What you will learn: * (00:00) Highlight * (01:46) Introduction * (05:30) ASF in Spain * (07:27) Human-driven spread * (09:46) Wild boar control * (13:00) ASF genotype * (18:19) Eradication outlook * (23:13) Final questions The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: * DietForge [https://dietforge.ai/] - dsm-firmenich [http://dsm-firmenich.com/hy-d] - Topigs Norsvin [https://topigsnorsvin.ca/] 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.wisenetix.com/swineit-ca] Instagram: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.instagram.com/swineitcanada/] LinkedIn: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/90783050/admin/feed/posts/]

Dr. Marina Meester: Identifying Biosecurity Breaks with Genetic Data | Ep. 165

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Marina Meester, Assistant Professor at Utrecht University, explains how genetic sequence data helps track virus transmission in pig farms. She outlines how combining sequencing with infection timing improves biosecurity, distinguishes internal spread from new introductions, and supports regional disease control strategies. Practical insights highlight sampling, collaboration, and data sharing. Listen now on all major platforms! "Repeated sequencing can show whether a virus is circulating inside a farm or whether a new introduction has occurred." Meet the guest: Dr. Marina Meester [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-meester-a960a8136/?locale=en_US] is an Assistant Professor in Veterinary Epidemiology at Utrecht University, focusing on virus transmission in swine production systems. She is a veterinarian with a Master’s in Epidemiology and completed a PhD on hepatitis E spread in pig farms in the Netherlands. Her research combines genetic sequencing and field data to improve biosecurity and disease control. Learn more from Dr. Marina Meester on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! [https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+swine+it+canada+podcast] What you will learn: * (00:00) Highlight * (01:22) Introduction * (03:37) Sequence data * (06:12) Cost and access * (16:52) Usability * (18:37) Data sharing * (22:22) Practical advice * (24:54) Final questions The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: * DietForge [https://dietforge.ai/] - dsm-firmenich [http://dsm-firmenich.com/hy-d] - Topigs Norsvin [https://topigsnorsvin.ca/] 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.wisenetix.com/swineit-ca] Instagram: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.instagram.com/swineitcanada/] LinkedIn: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/90783050/admin/feed/posts/]

Dr. Jessica Law: Preventative Medicine for Herd Health | Ep. 164

In this special rerun episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Jessica Law, veterinarian and owner of the Prairie Livestock Veterinarians, explains how preventative medicine strengthens herd health and production outcomes. She discusses biosecurity, vaccination strategies, piglet care, and the importance of collaboration between veterinarians and producers. The discussion highlights how small management decisions influence long-term performance. Get practical tips on disease prevention, vaccination strategies, and how to keep your herd healthy and performing at its best. Listen now on all major platforms! "Herd health is just like this big ecosystem; it’s a combination of animal health, production, and the goals for those animals." Meet the guest: Dr. Jessica Law [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-law-195098148/] earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Calgary and works as a swine veterinarian and owner at Prairie Livestock Veterinarians. Her work focuses on herd health, disease prevention, reproduction, and pathology, as well as teaching future veterinarians. She also contributes to research and industry education. Learn more from Dr. Jessica Law on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! [https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+swine+it+canada+podcast] What you will learn: * (00:00) Highlight * (01:23) Introduction * (04:05) Herd health overview * (05:33) Producer collaboration * (13:23) Ventilation's role in health * (15:13) Biosecurity insights * (22:23) Management strategies * (33:51) Final three questions The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: * DietForge [https://dietforge.ai/] - dsm-firmenich [http://dsm-firmenich.com/hy-d] - Topigs Norsvin [https://topigsnorsvin.ca/] 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.wisenetix.com/swineit-ca] Instagram: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.instagram.com/swineitcanada/] LinkedIn: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/90783050/admin/feed/posts/]

Dr. Daniel Gascho: Farrowing Decisions and Profitability | Ep. 163

In this special episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, marking World Veterinary Day, we welcome Dr. Daniel Gascho, swine production veterinarian and partner at Four Star Veterinary Service. He discusses how farrowing decisions must align with each farm's business model, why labor execution defines protocol outcomes, and how PRRS strategies should be tailored to each operation's health status and market position. Listen now on all major platforms! "Protocols are only as strong as the labor that executes them, and that final step is what separates a plan on paper from results in the barn." Meet the guest: Dr. Daniel Gascho [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-gascho-4a1bbb242] is a swine production medicine veterinarian and partner at Four Star Veterinary Service, based in Indiana. He focuses on individualized health strategies, vaccination planning, biosecurity, and practical protocol implementation across farrowing, nursery, and grow-finish systems. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! [https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+swine+it+canada+podcast] What you will learn: * (00:00) Highlight * (01:22) Introduction * (02:01) Profitability drivers * (06:07) Labor and execution * (12:57) Nutrition and feed intake * (17:29) PRRS management * (21:47) Vaccination strategies * (28:02) Final Questions The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: * DietForge [https://dietforge.ai/] - dsm-firmenich [http://dsm-firmenich.com/hy-d] - Topigs Norsvin [https://topigsnorsvin.ca/] 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.wisenetix.com/swineit-ca] Instagram: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.instagram.com/swineitcanada/] LinkedIn: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/90783050/admin/feed/posts/]

Dr. Antonio Velarde: Stress Impact on Meat Quality | Ep. 162

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Antonio Velarde from IRTA explains how animal welfare at slaughter influences stress, handling, and meat quality in pigs. He highlights transport challenges, stunning methods, and the importance of staff training and facility design. Dr. Velarde also discusses the One Welfare concept, which links animal and human well-being. Listen now on all major platforms! “Handling practices, facility design, and environmental conditions play a central role in reducing fear and stress, especially when animals are moved through unfamiliar spaces.” Meet the guest: Dr. Antonio Velarde [https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-velarde-a2283327/] is Head of the Animal Welfare Program at IRTA and a European specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics, and Law. His work focuses on welfare at slaughter, animal behavior, and practical improvements across production systems. He also contributes to European initiatives and the One Welfare concept.  Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! [https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+swine+it+canada+podcast] What you will learn: * (00:00) Highlight * (01:08) Introduction * (04:46) Welfare importance * (06:28) Stress impact * (07:31) Transport stress * (15:54) Staff training * (19:24) Stunning methods * (25:33) Final Questions The Swine it Podcast Show Canada is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: * DietForge [https://dietforge.ai/] - dsm-firmenich [http://dsm-firmenich.com/hy-d] - Topigs Norsvin [https://topigsnorsvin.ca/] 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.wisenetix.com/swineit-ca] Instagram: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.instagram.com/swineitcanada/] LinkedIn: The Swine it Podcast Show Canada [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/90783050/admin/feed/posts/]