What does it take to move the needle in the pork industry? For North Carolina State University professor Mark Knauer, it takes the same discipline he learned wrestling under legendary coaches at Iowa State University: the commitment to the "grind." In this episode, we explore how Knauer is bringing elite-level precision to sow management.
We discuss:
The Sow Caliper: How this simple tool is saving producers money by eliminating subjectivity.
The Longevity Secret: Why early growth and puberty are the best predictors of a sow’s lifetime success.
Global Competition: What the U.S. must do through nutrition and health research to out-compete Brazil.
Practical Research: Why the best insights come from "listening" to the pigs and the people in the barns.

Whether you are a producer looking to improve your bottom line or a fan of agricultural innovation, this conversation offers a masterclass in practical swine science.

What does it take to move the needle in the pork industry? For North Carolina State University professor Mark Knauer, it takes the same discipline he learned wrestling under legendary coaches at Iowa State University: the commitment to the "grind." In this episode, we explore how Knauer is bringing elite-level precision to sow management. We discuss:
<ul>
<li>The Sow Caliper: How this simple tool is saving producers money by eliminating subjectivity.</li>
<li>The Longevity Secret: Why early growth and puberty are the best predictors of a sow&rsquo;s lifetime success.</li>
<li>Global Competition: What the U.S. must do through nutrition and health research to out-compete Brazil.</li>
<li>Practical Research: Why the best insights come from "listening" to the pigs and the people in the barns.</li>
</ul>
Whether you are a producer looking to improve your bottom line or a fan of agricultural innovation, this conversation offers a masterclass in practical swine science.

There’s just something about the story behind the story. As a storyteller, I’m always searching for ways to give readers just a little more. That’s what The PORK Podcast is all about – bringing you stories of the people and the progress of the pork industry.  I’m Jennifer Shike – let’s go find just a little more.

There’s just something about the story behind the story. As a storyteller, I’m always searching for ways to give readers just a little more. That’s what The PORK Podcast is all about – bringing you stories of the people and the progress of the pork industry.  I’m Jennifer Shike – let’s go find just a little more.

The Pork Podcast

Mark Knauer: Wrestling with Sow Mortality | Episode 44

In Episode 49 of The PORK Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with two heavyweights of the industry: Dr. David Newman, CEO of the National Pork Board, and Dr. Glynn Tonsor, Agricultural Economist from Kansas State University.

The goal? A radical vision called "One More Pound."

If every American consumed just one more pound of pork per year without a price decline, it would inject over $1.5 billion in retail value into the industry. But this isn't just about eating more—it’s about a strategic "pull" strategy driven by data, innovation and a deep understanding of the future consumer.

In this episode, we dive deep into:
The Power of Belief: Why the industry must align on a vision of growth to move the needle.
The "Meat is In" Phenomenon: Why vegan/vegetarian trends are receding, and protein demand is hitting a fever pitch.
Innovation Beyond the Chop: How ground pork and "Boston Butt Burgers" are capturing the air-fryer generation.
The Hispanic Market Opportunity: Tapping into the $4.2 trillion GDP of the most pork-loyal demographic in the US.
Supply vs. Demand: Balancing world-class production efficiency with a new focus on consumer value.
Swine Health & Economics: How tackling PRRS and disease is the ultimate "Grow the Pie" strategy.

Whether you are a producer at the farm gate or an industry stakeholder, this conversation offers a data-backed dose of confidence for the future of the U.S. pork industry.

In Episode 49 of The PORK Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with two heavyweights of the industry: Dr. David Newman, CEO of the National Pork Board, and Dr. Glynn Tonsor, Agricultural Economist from Kansas State University. The goal? A radical vision called "One More Pound." If every American consumed just one more pound of pork per year without a price decline, it would inject over $1.5 billion in retail value into the industry. But this isn't just about eating more&mdash;it&rsquo;s about a strategic "pull" strategy driven by data, innovation and a deep understanding of the future consumer. In this episode, we dive deep into:
<ul>
<li>The Power of Belief: Why the industry must align on a vision of growth to move the needle.</li>
<li>The "Meat is In" Phenomenon: Why vegan/vegetarian trends are receding, and protein demand is hitting a fever pitch.</li>
<li>Innovation Beyond the Chop: How ground pork and "Boston Butt Burgers" are capturing the air-fryer generation.</li>
<li>The Hispanic Market Opportunity: Tapping into the $4.2 trillion GDP of the most pork-loyal demographic in the US.</li>
<li>Supply vs. Demand: Balancing world-class production efficiency with a new focus on consumer value.</li>
<li>Swine Health &amp; Economics: How tackling PRRS and disease is the ultimate "Grow the Pie" strategy.</li>
</ul>
Whether you are a producer at the farm gate or an industry stakeholder, this conversation offers a data-backed dose of confidence for the future of the U.S. pork industry.

The Pork Podcast: David Newman and Glynn Tonsor: Pursuing One More Pound | Episode 49

In this episode of the Pork Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Ashley Hengen, human resources manager for PIC North America, to explore the intersection of human resilience and modern agricultural operations. Ashley’s path to the swine industry was anything but linear—spanning from kinesiology studies to public policy work—but a pivotal mountain hike and a life-altering health challenge at age 14 shaped her into the leader she is today.


Ashley shares how she moved PIC’s HR department from a transactional, "elementary" function to a strategic business partnership. Listeners will gain practical insights into:
Recruitment with the End in Mind: How to attract talent that aligns with long-term production goals.
Retention Strategies: The shift from traditional career ladders to "jungle gyms" and the importance of transparent development paths.
The Power of Listening: Why simple tools like suggestion boxes and Net Promoter Scores are essential for understanding the "slat-level" needs of a workforce.

Whether you are managing a small team or a global operation, Ashley’s "work hard, play hard" mentality and her focus on leading with empathy provide a roadmap for building a more engaged and successful team.

In this episode of the Pork Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Ashley Hengen, human resources manager for PIC North America, to explore the intersection of human resilience and modern agricultural operations. Ashley&rsquo;s path to the swine industry was anything but linear&mdash;spanning from kinesiology studies to public policy work&mdash;but a pivotal mountain hike and a life-altering health challenge at age 14 shaped her into the leader she is today.
 Ashley shares how she moved PIC&rsquo;s HR department from a transactional, "elementary" function to a strategic business partnership. Listeners will gain practical insights into:
<ul>
<li>Recruitment with the End in Mind: How to attract talent that aligns with long-term production goals.</li>
<li>Retention Strategies: The shift from traditional career ladders to "jungle gyms" and the importance of transparent development paths.</li>
<li>The Power of Listening: Why simple tools like suggestion boxes and Net Promoter Scores are essential for understanding the "slat-level" needs of a workforce.</li>
</ul>
Whether you are managing a small team or a global operation, Ashley&rsquo;s "work hard, play hard" mentality and her focus on leading with empathy provide a roadmap for building a more engaged and successful team.

The Pork Podcast: Ashley Hengen: How to Build Career 'Jungle Gyms' in the Swine Industry | Episode 48

In this episode of the Pork Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Joe Dykhuis of Dykhuis Farms in Holland, Mich. Although Dykhuis has deep roots in pork production, he’s not stuck in how things have always been done. As the owner of a large sow farm that relies on contract growers to finish 450,000 pigs a year, he has a unique perspective on how to align people, resources and the pigs themselves to make sure everyone thrives.

He dives deep into the evolving landscape of grow-finish production, explaining why the old "rules of thumb" no longer apply to contract growing and disease management. From navigating the complexities of a multi-generational family business to calculating the staggering up to $1,500-per-sow cost of a PRRS L1C break, Dykhuis shares why he believes high-risk environments offer the greatest returns for those willing to lead.
Key highlights include:
The "Pig Pays the Bills" Philosophy: Why animal husbandry and business economics are inseparable.
Contract Growing 2.0: Navigating high interest rates, rising construction costs, and the shift from transactions to true partnerships.
The Reality of Risk: A sobering look at the modern cost of disease and the urgent need for industry-wide risk mitigation.
Legacy and Leadership: How a "learner" mindset and involvement in industry organizations helps drive the farm’s success.

Read more at https://www.porkbusiness.com/topics/grow-finish.

In this episode of the Pork Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Joe Dykhuis of Dykhuis Farms in Holland, Mich. Although Dykhuis has deep roots in pork production, he&rsquo;s not stuck in how things have always been done. As the owner of a large sow farm that relies on contract growers to finish 450,000 pigs a year, he has a unique perspective on how to align people, resources and the pigs themselves to make sure everyone thrives. He dives deep into the evolving landscape of grow-finish production, explaining why the old "rules of thumb" no longer apply to contract growing and disease management. From navigating the complexities of a multi-generational family business to calculating the staggering up to $1,500-per-sow cost of a PRRS L1C break, Dykhuis shares why he believes high-risk environments offer the greatest returns for those willing to lead. Key highlights include:
<ul>
<li>The "Pig Pays the Bills" Philosophy: Why animal husbandry and business economics are inseparable.</li>
<li>Contract Growing 2.0: Navigating high interest rates, rising construction costs, and the shift from transactions to true partnerships.</li>
<li>The Reality of Risk: A sobering look at the modern cost of disease and the urgent need for industry-wide risk mitigation.</li>
<li>Legacy and Leadership: How a "learner" mindset and involvement in industry organizations helps drive the farm&rsquo;s success.</li>
</ul>
Read more at <a href="https://www.porkbusiness.com/topics/grow-finish">https://www.porkbusiness.com/topics/grow-finish</a>.

Mark Knauer: Wrestling with Sow Mortality | Episode 44

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