Swine Nutrition Blackbelt #10 - Using ultrasound for backfat and loin depth: accuracy and applicability for pigs with Zack Peppmeier

Carcass characteristics are the determining factor for the ultimate price you receive for your market pigs, so it only makes sense that they get necessary attention when genetically selecting your pigs. In this episode, I talk with Zack Peppmeier about his recent work at NCSU where he is working to develop a method for measuring backfat and loin depth with ultrasound technology. Could this be beneficial for genetic selection? Listen and find out!

Meet the guest: Zack Peppmeier is a Ph.D. student at North Carolina State University. His main area of research currently includes using advanced ultrasound measurements to predict backfat and loin depth in swine and comparing modern commercial and show pig genetic lines for growth, body composition, and structural conformation. He attended Iowa State University, receiving his BS in 2018 before he attended North Carolina State University to receive his MS in 2020 where he stayed to pursue his Ph.D