Too often in pork production, animal welfare is viewed strictly through the lens of what caretakers must do for the pig. But what happens when an Air Force kid with zero livestock experience flips that entire paradigm on its head?

In this episode of The PORK Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Dr. Courtney Archer, assistant professor of animal sciences at the University of Illinois. From training service dog puppies to heading an innovative swine behavior lab, she shares how her non-traditional path and military upbringing taught her that flexibility is the ultimate form of resilience.

Together, Shike and Archer dig into the real challenges facing modern barns—from the tight labor squeeze to the promises and pitfalls of precision barn technology. Archer shares why viewing pig behavior as an unsolved puzzle can unlock low-cost, high-return solutions for everyday producers.

Too often in pork production, animal welfare is viewed strictly through the lens of what caretakers must do for the pig. But what happens when an Air Force kid with zero livestock experience flips that entire paradigm on its head? In this episode of The PORK Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Dr. Courtney Archer, assistant professor of animal sciences at the University of Illinois. From training service dog puppies to heading an innovative swine behavior lab, she shares how her non-traditional path and military upbringing taught her that flexibility is the ultimate form of resilience. Together, Shike and Archer dig into the real challenges facing modern barns&mdash;from the tight labor squeeze to the promises and pitfalls of precision barn technology. Archer shares why viewing pig behavior as an unsolved puzzle can unlock low-cost, high-return solutions for everyday producers.

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.