Popular Pig

Matthew Rooda
  • 4.4 (15)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to the Popular Pig Podcast. A convenient place where you can stay up to date on what’s popular in the swine industry. By listening to Popular Pig, you will receive invaluable information on the latest trends, news, and research from various experts that guide the global pork industry.

  1. 5D AGO

    The Real Science Behind Farm Disinfectants | Jose Ramirez

    About the Guest Dr. Ramirez is a scientific advisor for Clipper Distributing Company, LLC. Dr. Ramirez developed the first accelerated peroxide (AHP®) formulations which asides from Intervention disinfectant, also include hospital and dental disinfectants, a reuse medical sterilant, an antimicrobial hand wash, and a dairy teat dip. He holds more than 20 issued or pending patents ranging from cleaning & disinfection, to water treatment and chemical process sensors & controls. His first patent was filed in 1999 – the first AHP® formulation. Dr. Ramirez has more than 25 years of experience in disinfectant formulation development as applied to infection prevention and biosecurity in a variety of markets. He has started two companies based on his inventions and has won several business pitch competitions, including technologies for wastewater processing and wastewater control. He has been featured and interviewed several times in the press. Dr. Ramirez holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering, and MS and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How dilution mistakes can reduce disinfectant performance without being obvious Why application and training matter just as much as the product itself What lower-cost disinfectants may miss in bacteria and virus coverage How disinfectants can impact lagoon systems and biogas production Why foam application improves visibility, coverage, and contact time

    1h 9m

  2. APR 16

    Becoming a Better Leader for Your Team | Jose Santiago

    About the Guest José Santiago is a sow production supervisor leading teams with Tosh Pork, LLC based in Henry, Tennessee.  José has had extensive experience throughout many segments of the pork industry which has positioned him to excel in production management and José’s teams routinely lead the industry in sow productivity, pig quality, and pig care. Although José’s strengths in pig production are evident, his true passions are rooted in the people who care for those pigs.  José believes in the value that all members of a team can contribute and encourage and develop his people to be as successful as possible. On his free time José is the Youth director for Holy Cross Catholic Church as well as the baseball coach for the Henry County Middle School team.  José currently resides in Paris, Tennessee with his lovely wife, Jaryssel and their two outstanding children, José (20 years old) and Angelica (18 years old). What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? Why swine production is really a people business first—and pigs come second when it comes to success. How great leaders build trust by showing up, listening, and giving their teams the tools and “why” behind the work. Why fear of failure “holds teams back and how creating a culture where it’s okay to try (and miss) helps people get better. How to better coach your team by understanding strengths, avoiding knee-jerk reactions, and putting people in roles where they can win. Jose’s “Golden Nugget”

    39 min

  3. APR 9

    Different Path for Beef and Pork Processing | Kit Laramore & Joe Galasso

    About the Guests Joseph Galasso Jr. is a seasoned C-suite executive with over 40 years in food protein sales, operations, business development, and biosecurity technologies tailored for livestock and swine operations. As Chief Operating Officer at WT Associates and WT BIO-TECH, he leads commercialization of mortality management systems—including EPA-compliant incinerators, anaerobic digestion like KLEENPAS BioGestor, and aqueous ozone/nanobubble solutions—for large-scale beef and pork processing facilities in Iowa. His expertise spans pioneering green chemistry biosecurity for clients like Walt Disney and Wynn Resorts, full P&L management of 12M+ lb protein lines, and regulatory navigation (USDA FSIS, EPA, DNR), making him a key contributor to the protein industry. Kit Thomas Laramore was born in 1953 in Gillette, Wyoming, and grew up attending school first at a family ranch and later in Gillette. He pursued higher education initially in vocal performance and then in Agricultural Business, graduating from the University of Wyoming in 1978. After college, he worked in trades and construction before focusing on ranching and cattle operations, eventually moving into the beef meat business. Laramore attended a one-room schoolhouse taught by his mother, completed his primary and secondary education in Gillette, and studied vocal performance and agricultural business at universities in Utah and Wyoming. During college, he worked as an electrician earning substantial wages and post-graduation chose to build houses during a coal mining boom, becoming a general contractor for over 130 structures in six years. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? You will learn how a vertically integrated system can connect livestock production directly to processing and distribution. You will understand why smaller regional plants can improve access to processing and support local producers. You will learn how genetics and production choices impact meat quality, animal welfare, and efficiency. You will hear how workforce housing, training, and community investment can support long term rural development. You will learn the key risks in launching a facility like this and how planning addresses capital, labor, and food safety.

    46 min

  4. APR 2

    What Drives Mortality in Grow-Finish Pigs | Dr. Daniel Linhares and Dr. Edison Magalhaes

    About the Guests Daniel Linhares, DVM, MBA, PhD –  Professor & Director of Graduate Education at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Worked for 8 years as a practicing veterinarian, technical services, and health assurance; now he is dedicated to training MSc and PhD students as part of the ISU fieldepi team, working with swine producers and health professionals in the US and abroad. Edison Magalhães, DVM, MBA, MSc, PhD  – Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University. Dr. Edison Magalhaes previously worked for four years in the Brazilian swine industry as a swine veterinarian practitioner. He then pursued his Master’s and PhD in Swine Epidemiology at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Currently, Dr. Magalhaes leads the SwinalytIQ Lab, a multidisciplinary team composed of undergraduate and graduate students from veterinary medicine, animal science, data science, and computer engineering. His program focuses on research and extension that supports the U.S. and global swine industries by developing data-driven approaches to improve health, productivity, and decision-making, helping producers better utilize their production data. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? You will learn how most grow-finish mortality ties back to conditions and performance in the sow farm. You will learn how integrating siloed data reveals connections between health, environment, and production outcomes. You will learn why weaning age, variation within groups, and early health challenges influence downstream performance. You will learn how barn setup, environment, and basic husbandry practices impact pig survivability early on. You will learn how gilt development and sow farm management set the ceiling for overall system productivity.

    29 min

  5. MAR 26

    Building Teams, Solving PRRS, and Leading Through Change | Dr. Bill Christianson

    About the Guest Dr. Bill Christianson is the former Chief Operating Officer of PIC. He has a background in agriculture and biotechnology, with broad industry knowledge and extensive commercial and global experience. He earned his DVM and PhD in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Christianson joined PIC in 1993 and held a range of operational roles across Europe, South America, and the United States before becoming General Manager of PIC North America in 2007. He later led the combined ABS and PIC businesses across the Americas starting in 2010 and became COO of Genus PIC in 2012. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How growing up around a family farm and machinery business led into the swine industry. What it was like working on PRRS during its early discovery and research phase. How large systems approached eliminating PRRS and the time and cost involved. Why taking opportunities before feeling ready can help you grow in your career. Bill “Golden Nugget”

    1h 7m

  6. MAR 19

    Innovation, Sustainability, and Resilience in Australian Pork | Edwina Beveridge

    About the Guest Edwina and her husband run Blantyre Farms, a 2,200 sow pig farm and a mixed farm of sheep, cattle and crops, near Young, NSW, Australia. In operation for more than a decade, a methane digestion system captures methane gas from pig manure and converts it into electricity. Blantyre also utilizes food waste products for pig feed and saves 13,500 of tonnes of landfill each year. The NSW EPA has awarded Blantyre with a Green Globe Award for Resource Efficiency. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? How a family pig farm in Australia grew from a small farrow-to-finish operation into a much larger sow farm over time. How using liquid feeding and food waste products can help reduce feed costs and create new opportunities on a pig farm. How capturing methane from pig manure can generate electricity and lower energy costs on the farm. How pig producers in Australia are dealing with activist pressure and protecting their farms and teams. Edwina’s “Golden Nugget”

    33 min

  7. MAR 12

    An Australian Approach to Balancing Welfare and Economics in Pork Production | Steve Coleman

    About the Guest What began as a spontaneous job application became a lifelong commitment to protecting animals across New South Wales and supporting some of the state’s most underserved and marginalized communities. Throughout his career, Steve has developed a deep understanding of human behavior and an exceptional ability to inspire people to take meaningful action. His experience across animal welfare, government relations and the justice system has shaped his insight into what drives individuals, organizations and communities. As CEO, Steve leads the largest animal welfare organization in Australia with authenticity, integrity and a clear strategic vision — creating the conditions for lasting, impactful change. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? The difference between animal welfare and animal rights — and why the pork industry needs to understand that distinction. Why communication and working with producers often leads to better animal welfare outcomes than enforcement alone. How real farm constraints influence decisions around housing systems like farrowing crates. Why consumer expectations, economics, and welfare improvements are closely connected in pork production. Steve’s “Golden Nugget”

    33 min

  8. MAR 5

    Eliminating PRRS and Protecting the U.S. Herd | Dr. Dustin Oedekoven

    About the Guest Dr. Dustin Oedekoven is the chief veterinarian for the National Pork Board, based in Des Moines, Iowa. In this role, Dr. Oedekoven leads a team of veterinarians and swine production experts in Pork Checkoff-funded work for pork producers, including foreign animal disease (FAD) preparedness, protecting the U.S. herd from African swine fever and developing a national swine health strategy. Dr. Oedekoven has over 20 years of experience in the agriculture sector. Prior to joining the National Pork Board in 2022, he served as state veterinarian and executive secretary for the South Dakota Animal Industry Board, where he provided strategic leadership and direction for the state’s animal health agency – a seven-member, governor-appointed board of livestock producers with responsibility for all animal health programs and disease control efforts in the state. Dr. Oedekoven received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University and bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science from South Dakota State University. He resides in Pierre, South Dakota, with his wife and kids. What can you expect to learn from this episode of Popular Pig? Why the National Swine Health Strategy was created and how pig health directly impacts producer profitability. The two big goals guiding the strategy: reduce the impact of domestic diseases and keep foreign and emerging diseases out. Why PRRS elimination is now being set as a long term industry destination. Why PED elimination may be more achievable in the near term and how recent progress gives the industry momentum.

    19 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Popular Pig Podcast. A convenient place where you can stay up to date on what’s popular in the swine industry. By listening to Popular Pig, you will receive invaluable information on the latest trends, news, and research from various experts that guide the global pork industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Rooda
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    269
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 - Popular Pig
  • Show Website
    Popular Pig

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