#149 – Starting pigs off right and other methods of decreasing pig herd mortality

Decreasing swine mortality still tends to be the largest opportunity for farmers to increase overall profitability, which is why it is important that we understand all the factors that play into herd health. Dr. Chris Rademacher and I address this issue in today’s episode and talk about methods that can increase disease preparedness and what is necessary to start your nursery pigs off properly.

What you will learn:

1. Current challenges with nursery pigs

2. Introducing new caretakers to swine husbandry

3. Dr. Rademacher's input on weaning age

4. How to start pigs off right

5. Next steps in handling PRRS

Meet the guest: Dr. Chris Rademacher is a clinical professor and the ISU Swine Extension Veterinarian in the Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM) department at Iowa State University. He received his B.S. and DVM from the University of Minnesota in 1998. Following graduation, he joined New Fashion Pork. He became the Director of Health Services and spent 10 years helping to grow the company from 1,000 sows to 60,000 sows. In 2009 Dr. Rademacher joined Smithfield Foods as the Director of Production Improvement. He has led programming efforts in common swine industry foreign animal disease preparation, as well as VFD antibiotic regulations for the Iowa Pork Industry Center, as well as research on PEDV, PRRS, strategic antibiotic usage, and Seneca Valley Virus.