In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Mariana Kikuti shares the latest findings on PRRSV variant trends, genetic diversity, and time-to-stability challenges across U.S. production systems. She explains the monitoring process behind variant classification and the obstacles faced when collecting epidemiological data. Discover practical insights into managing multi-strain outbreaks and improving disease surveillance systems. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The main limitation in PRRSV surveillance is the need for data to come directly from people experiencing outbreaks to share the data."

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Mariana Kikuti holds a DVM from the Universidade Federal do Paraná, an MPH, and a PhD in epidemiology from the Universidade Federal da Bahia. As a Researcher at the University of Minnesota, her work centers on swine infectious disease surveillance and PRRSV molecular epidemiology. Her expertise supports better outbreak understanding and disease transmission analysis.

Click here to read the full research article!

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:46) Introduction
• (02:00) Variant monitoring process
• (03:30) Genetic sequence analysis
• (04:25) PRRSV diversity trends
• (09:37) Data sharing vs. public health
• (10:57) Stability time challenges
• (14:10) Closing thoughts

The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Boehringer Ingelheim

- Farm Health Guardian

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Swine Campus

LinkedIn: Swine Campus

In this episode of the Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Bob Rowland from the University of Illinois shares key insights on the genetics behind PRRS resilience in pigs. He discusses the development of CD163-edited pigs and how understanding virus-host interactions can support future strategies. Discover how genome research is contributing to swine health innovation. Listen now on all major platforms!

"We all know that CD163 is the receptor for PRRS, and when we knocked it out, the pigs were completely resistant—no infection, no antibodies, no virus replication."

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Bob Rowland is Professor and Head of the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. He holds a Ph.D. and has led major research on genetic resistance to PRRSV, PCV, and ASFV. With over 160 publications, he brings vast expertise in virus-host interaction and genome editing in pigs.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:01) Introduction
• (02:23) Genetic PRRS resistance
• (05:17) CD163-edited pigs
• (07:06) Genome editing impact
• (08:05) Stress and inflammation
• (09:08) Future disease targets
• (12:36) Closing thoughts

The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Boehringer Ingelheim

- Farm Health Guardian

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Swine Campus

LinkedIn: Swine Campus

In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Anna Forseth, Director of Animal Health at the National Pork Producers Council, discusses the ongoing efforts to enhance live swine traceability. She provides an update on the status of the mandatory traceability standards, reviewing the progress of the process and where things currently stand with USDA approval. Dr. Forseth highlights actionable steps producers can take now to prepare for future regulations. Tune in on all major platforms!

"The goal is to create a more effective and efficient system, identifying gaps in traceability from both state and federal levels."

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Anna Forseth is the Director of Animal Health at the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). With a DVM from Colorado State University and a master's degree in veterinary preventive medicine from Iowa State University, she specializes in preharvest swine health issues, including foreign animal disease prevention and swine welfare.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:17) Introduction
• (02:24) Swine traceability
• (04:03) Traceability system gaps
• (05:16) Regulatory system
• (07:12) Petition to USDA
• (08:49) Steps for producers
• (10:25) Closing thoughts

The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Boehringer Ingelheim

- Farm Health Guardian

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Swine Campus

LinkedIn: Swine Campus

In this special rerun episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, we revisit our conversation with Dr. John Patience, Professor Emeritus of Animal Science at Iowa State University, who shares findings from a case study evaluating the financial impact of different health statuses on pig performance. From mortality rates to feed conversion efficiency, discover how health challenges affect profitability and learn strategies to mitigate losses. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Producers understand sick pigs hurt profitability, but we evaluated the exact financial costs under varying health conditions."

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. John Patience, Professor Emeritus of Animal Science at Iowa State University, brings decades of expertise in swine nutrition and management. With a Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from Cornell University, Dr. Patience has led innovative research addressing practical problems in the swine industry.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:04) Introduction
• (01:12) Career highlights
• (02:19) Economics of pig farming
• (03:00) Health challenges
• (04:32) Mortality and growth rates
• (05:23) Economic impact on farms
• (08:21) Closing thoughts

The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Boehringer Ingelheim

- Farm Health Guardian

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Swine Campus

LinkedIn: Swine Campus

In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Erin Kettelkamp from Swine Vet Center shares key strategies for improving transport biosecurity in swine operations. She explains how using real-time data, GPS tracking, and trailer movement records helps identify biosecurity risks earlier and improve response to potential disease threats. Dr. Kettelkamp highlights the importance of internal controls, layered audits, and addressing data gaps in the middle of the transport process. Listen now on all major platforms!

"As we move into an era of data and technology, we carry tracking devices daily. Now we can integrate that data into usable platforms and be more proactive."

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Erin Kettelkamp earned her DVM from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. Now a veterinarian at Swine Vet Center in Minnesota, she specializes in biosecurity consulting, field research, and swine production support.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love:

Rob Hannam: Digital Biosecurity Solutions | Ep. 134

Dr. Tara Prezioso: Network Analysis of Swine Farms | Ep. 150

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:49) Introduction
• (01:22) Guest background
• (02:24) Transport biosecurity systems
• (04:24) Trailer sanitation auditing
• (06:33) Data gaps and technology
• (10:43) Geofencing applications
• (13:14) Closing thoughts

The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Farm Health Guardian

* Boehringer Ingelheim

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Swine Campus

LinkedIn: Swine Campus

In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jack Dekkers from Iowa State University explores the genetics of disease resilience in pigs. He explains how measuring stress hormones like cortisol in hair can serve as a powerful tool to identify animals better equipped to handle health challenges. Discover how these heritable traits can support smarter breeding strategies and promote stronger, healthier herds. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"Disease resilience is the ability of a pig to cope with infection, recover, and continue growing."

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁: Dr. Jack Dekkers, C.F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor at Iowa State University, received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. from Wageningen Agricultural University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in Animal Breeding. His research focuses on the genetic improvement of feed efficiency and health in pigs and poultry.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:20) Introduction
• (02:04) Disease resilience focus
• (03:06) Gene editing limitations
• (04:35) Stress hormones in hair
• (08:09) Genetics of stress response
• (11:10) Publishing genetic findings
• (13:42) Closing thoughts

The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

* Boehringer Ingelheim

- Farm Health Guardian

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.

Website: The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast

Instagram: Swine Campus

LinkedIn: Swine Campus

In this episode of The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Marcello Melini from the University of Minnesota shares his research on alternative sampling strategies for monitoring PRRSv and other swine pathogens. He explains the potential of tongue tip fluids and other specimen types to improve pathogen detection and sequencing in grow-finish pigs. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Tongue tips may provide an overview of pathogen presence within a swine population."

What will you learn:

• (00:00) Introduction
• (01:08) Tongue tip sampling insights
• (02:19) Monitoring multiple pathogens
• (03:19) Sampling timing challenges
• (05:16) Sensitivity of detection methods
• (06:12) Specimen types
• (13:16) Closing thoughts

Meet the guest:

Marcello Melini is a PhD candidate and graduate research assistant at the University of Minnesota, Department of Veterinary Population Medicine. With over 12 years of experience in swine health, Melini focuses on field applications and epidemiology of PRRSv. He holds a DVM and a Master’s in Applied Statistics from Guatemala.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!