The Squeal, by PIC.com

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Episodes

252

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Hello and welcome to 'The Squeal', PIC’s swine management podcast, featuring in-depth conversations on topics that matter to you. PIC is the global leader in swine genetics. At PIC, our goal is to make our customers the most successful pig producers by providing them with the best genetics. We know our business success depends on yours.

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60 recent

August 18, 202633 min

The Squeal_0261: Every Pig Counts: Understanding Wean-to-Finish Survivability

Every pig counts—and understanding where survivability challenges begin is the first step toward improving outcomes. In Part 1 of our Every Pig Counts series, we take a closer look at wean-to-finish survivability and the factors that influence pig losses throughout the production cycle. Our guests discuss how the industry defines and measures survivability, where and when mortality challenges tend to occur, and why looking beyond the overall mortality number can provide valuable insight into what is happening in the barn. From identifying trends in the data to understanding the economic impact of late-finishing losses, this conversation lays the foundation for making more informed management decisions. Tune in to learn why good records, timely information, and a better understanding of when losses occur can help producers identify opportunities to improve survivability and ultimately get more pigs to market.

August 4, 202621 min

The Squeal_0260: Production Trends Around the Globe_Part 2

In Part 2 of our Production Trends Around the Globe series, the conversation shifts from today's challenges to tomorrow's opportunities. Building on insights from North America, Europe, and Asia, our technical experts explore where they see the swine industry heading and the innovations that will shape its future. From advances in genetics, technology, and data-driven decision making to changing consumer expectations, workforce development, and the continued importance of collaboration, our guests discuss how producers can prepare for what's next. They also share ideas and lessons from their regions that have the potential to benefit the global pork industry.

July 21, 202617 min

The Squeal_0259: Production Trends Around the Globe_Part 1

Swine production may look different around the world, but many of the industry's biggest challenges are surprisingly similar. In this first episode of our two-part Production Trends Around the Globe series, we're joined by technical experts from North America, Europe, and Asia to explore the current state of pork production in their regions. From labor shortages and disease pressure to changing regulations, market volatility, sustainability expectations, and digital innovation, our guests share firsthand perspectives on the trends shaping today's global swine industry. While every region faces unique circumstances, this conversation highlights the common challenges producers are working to overcome—and the opportunities to learn from one another. Tune in to hear how different parts of the world are adapting to an evolving industry and why collaboration across regions will play an important role in the future of pork production.

July 7, 202643 min

The Squeal_0258: Boar Robustness: Feeding Strategy

Nutrition is one of the most powerful tools we have to build and maintain boar robustness, but successful feeding goes far beyond simply filling feeders. In Part 2 of our Boar Robustness series, we take a closer look at the feeding strategies that support boar longevity, fertility, and overall performance throughout every stage of life. Our host, Carine Vier, PIC Nutritionist is joined by Dr. Steve Dritz, PIC Sr. Nutitionist and Amanda Middleton, PIC GTC Manager for this conversation. Our experts discuss how nutritional requirements change over time, the importance of body condition management, common feeding challenges, and practical adjustments that can help boars perform at their best. Whether you're managing young developing boars or mature working boars, this episode provides actionable insights to help maximize health, productivity, and long-term value. Tune in to learn how thoughtful feeding decisions can strengthen the foundation of a robust boar program.

June 23, 202646 min

The Squeal_0257: Boar Robustness: Care and Management

Boar robustness starts with the daily decisions made on the farm. In this episode of The Squeal, we kickoff our Boar Robustness series by exploring the care and management practices that help boars reach their full genetic potential and remain productive throughout their working lives. Host, Carine Vier, PIC Nutritionist leads a conversation with Michael Kleve-Feld, PIC Technical Services Director and Dr. Megan Hood from Reicks Veterinary Research and Consulting where our guests discuss the key management factors that influence boar performance, including handling, housing, health monitoring, environmental conditions, and employee training. They also share practical strategies producers and stud teams can implement to improve boar well-being, longevity, and overall stud performance. Whether you're managing a commercial stud or simply looking to strengthen your understanding of boar management, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the foundational pillars of boar robustness.

June 9, 202636 min

The Squeal_0256: The Vision and Future of Pork Chop Studio

On today's episode of The Squeal, our host Emily Mauch-Swinford, PIC Genetic Research Scientist leads a conversation to introduce the science, purpose, and vision around the Pork Chop Studio. Our guests, Brandon Fields, PIC Product Development Sr. Manager, and Justin Holl PIC Product Development Sr. Director explain the technology and development behind the camera technology that can tell the industry specific data about a pork chop by scanning the individual chop. This opens many doors to the future of evaluating meat cuts to determine data that is commonly evaluated by the human eye. The Pork Chop Studio was on display at World Pork Expo and sparked several conversations with producers and gained a wide audience of interested industry members. PIC is looking forward to the future of the Pork Chop Studio!

May 27, 202631 min

The Squeal_0255: Biosecurity Through Truck Wash Sanitation

On this episode of The Squeal, we're taking a closer look at one of the most critical, but often overlooked, components of swine health management: truck wash biosecurity. Our host, Dr. Rebecca Robbins, PIC Health Assurance Veterinarian is joined by Dr. Kate Dion, Postdoctoral Research Associate at Iowa State University, and Emiliano Hidalgo, PIC Technical Operations Manager to discuss the importance of a truck wash and its procedures. Transportation plays a major role in protecting herd health, and even small gaps in cleaning and disinfection protocols can create significant disease risk across production systems. From trailer sanitation and drying time to employee compliance and facility design, maintaining strong truck wash biosecurity requires attention to detail at every step. Whether you're managing transportation logistics, overseeing site health, or working directly in the wash bay, this episode offers actionable insights to help strengthen one of the industry's most important lines of defense.

May 12, 202643 min

The Squeal_0254: Desired Sire Traits Around the Globe_Part 2

In episode two of the Global Sire Traits series, host Dr. Dan Hamilton , PIC Sr. Director, Americas-Product Performance, continues the conversation by taking a deeper dive into how sire traits are not only prioritized—but put into practice across different regions. Joining Dan for this conversation is Dr. Saskia Bloemhof , PIC Genetic Services Director, Brandon Fields , PIC Product Development Sr. Manager, Eunice Chun , PIC Technical Services Sr. Manager, Sergio López, PIC Sr. Sales Manager, and Pablo Magallon, PIC Technical Services Manager. Building on the global perspectives shared in episode one, representatives from Asia, Europe, and North America discuss how trait selection translates into real-world results at the farm level. From balancing multiple trait objectives to navigating market demands and production challenges, the group shares how decisions around genetics are made with both short-term performance and long-term progress in mind. The conversation also explores where regional strategies align, where they differ, and what those insights mean for the future of global genetic improvement. With a focus on application and impact, this episode brings clarity to how sire traits drive measurable outcomes across diverse production systems.

April 28, 202635 min

The Squeal_0253: Desired Sire Traits Around the Globe_Part 1

In this first episode of the Global Sire Traits series, host Dr. Dan Hamilton, PIC Sr. Director, Americas-Product Performance, brings together experts from across the globe to explore how sire trait priorities vary by region- and what those differences mean for producers, worldwide. Joining Dan for this conversation is Dr. Saskia Bloemhof , PIC Genetic Services Director, Brandon Fields , PIC Product Development Sr. Manager, Eunice Chun , PIC Technical Services Sr. Manager, Sergio López, PIC Sr. Sales Manager, and Pablo Magallon , PIC Technical Services Manager. Featuring perspectives from representatives in Asia, Europe, and North America, the conversation dives into the key traits driving genetic selection in each market. From growth and efficiency to robustness, meat quality, and adaptability, each region shares how local production systems, market demands, and environmental challenges shape their focus. Whether you're focused on local production or global strategy, this episode sets the stage for understanding how sire traits are defined, prioritized, and delivered around the world.

April 14, 202652 min

The Squeal_0252: Summer Management Strategies Across Production Phases

As temperatures rise, so do the challenges across every phase of pork production. In this episode of The Squeal , we take a whole-system approach to summer management—connecting the dots between the sow farm and wean-to-finish to help producers stay ahead of heat stress. Carine Vier, PIC Nutritionist, is joined by Juan Orozco, PIC Technical Services Manager, and Isaiah Spath, PIC Technical Services Manager, to break down how hot weather impacts pigs at every stage, from feed intake and reproductive performance in sows to growth, efficiency, and overall performance in wean-to-finish barns. Together, they share practical, on-farm strategies to help maintain consistency, protect performance, and avoid common pitfalls during the summer months. From ventilation and water management to feeding adjustments and early warning signs, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can implement right away. Whether you're managing sows, growing pigs, or both—this conversation will help you prepare, adapt, and perform all summer long.