When you walk the aisles of the Indiana State Fair or San Antonio, the name Knauth is synonymous with champion banners and high-selling lots. But what does it take to build a powerhouse sow herd from the ground up?


In this episode of The Pork Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Kyle and Ellen Knauth of Knauth Show Pigs to discuss the reality of life in the trenches of the show pig industry. From the science of internal genetics to the "blue texter" rule, the Knauths share the secrets behind their success.

When you walk the aisles of the Indiana State Fair or San Antonio, the name Knauth is synonymous with champion banners and high-selling lots. But what does it take to build a powerhouse sow herd from the ground up?
 In this episode of The Pork Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Kyle and Ellen Knauth of Knauth Show Pigs to discuss the reality of life in the trenches of the show pig industry. From the science of internal genetics to the "blue texter" rule, the Knauths share the secrets behind their success.

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

The Pork Podcast: Kyle & Ellen Knauth: Building Proven Genetics & Winning Show Pigs

If you ask Dr. Hyatt Frobose what he wants written on his headstone someday, it isn’t corporate titles—it’s simply "Stockman."

In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, Jennifer Shike catches up with longtime friend, industry leader, and Kansas stockman Hyatt Frobose. As North America Commercial Director for Jyga Technologies (makers of Gestal smart feeding systems), Frobose has helped design, build, and renovate hundreds of sow facilities. But his journey started long before with livestock judging, NJSA leadership, and a deep-seated passion for animal husbandry.

From a transformative Fulbright scholarship in Australia to helping design hundreds of sow farms, Frobose brings practical, no-nonsense insights to pork production. Shike and Frobose tackle the industry’s biggest challenges: why we must stop raising gilts like barrows, how precision feeding drives sow longevity, the reality of Prop 12 group housing, and what the U.S. can learn before free-farrowing mandates reach our shores. Plus, he opens up about a life-altering brain injury, what it taught him about family and leadership, and why modern technology must always serve one core purpose: true stockmanship.

Tune in as they explore:
Fixing Gilt Development and Sow Longevity: “We raise our gilts like they’re barrows, and then wonder why they exit the herd early.” Hyatt dives into precision feeding, structural development, and why setting up the next generation for parity 3+ longevity requires a total mindset shift.
The Reality of Prop 12 and Group Housing: Dispelling the scientific myth that loose housing automatically hurts sow performance, breaking down the true cost of square footage vs. stalls, and navigating building decisions without guaranteed premiums.
Looking Ahead: Free Farrowing & Turnaround Pens: Insights from Frobose's work on the National Pork Board Sow Housing Consortium: Why U.S. producers must generate domestic, science-based data now to stay on offense before European-style farrowing mandates land on our doorsteps.
Leading by Example & Overcoming Adversity: What Jyga colleague Stéphane Clément had to say about Hyatt "pulling the buggy," and how surviving a traumatic 2021 brain injury reshaped his perspective on partnership, time management and family.
Defining the Modern Stockman: Why high-tech barn automation and old-school stockmanship aren't mutually exclusive—and how managing by exception lets producers give extra care to the animals that need it most.


Whether you are a commercial pork producer looking to optimize your herd’s genetic potential or an ag professional passionate about the future of livestock innovation, this episode is packed with actionable insights on technology, stockmanship and leadership.

If you ask Dr. Hyatt Frobose what he wants written on his headstone someday, it isn&rsquo;t corporate titles&mdash;it&rsquo;s simply "Stockman." In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, Jennifer Shike catches up with longtime friend, industry leader, and Kansas stockman Hyatt Frobose. As North America Commercial Director for Jyga Technologies (makers of Gestal smart feeding systems), Frobose has helped design, build, and renovate hundreds of sow facilities. But his journey started long before with livestock judging, NJSA leadership, and a deep-seated passion for animal husbandry. From a transformative Fulbright scholarship in Australia to helping design hundreds of sow farms, Frobose brings practical, no-nonsense insights to pork production. Shike and Frobose tackle the industry&rsquo;s biggest challenges: why we must stop raising gilts like barrows, how precision feeding drives sow longevity, the reality of Prop 12 group housing, and what the U.S. can learn before free-farrowing mandates reach our shores. Plus, he opens up about a life-altering brain injury, what it taught him about family and leadership, and why modern technology must always serve one core purpose: true stockmanship. Tune in as they explore:
<ul>
<li>Fixing Gilt Development and Sow Longevity: &ldquo;We raise our gilts like they&rsquo;re barrows, and then wonder why they exit the herd early.&rdquo; Hyatt dives into precision feeding, structural development, and why setting up the next generation for parity 3+ longevity requires a total mindset shift.</li>
<li>The Reality of Prop 12 and Group Housing: Dispelling the scientific myth that loose housing automatically hurts sow performance, breaking down the true cost of square footage vs. stalls, and navigating building decisions without guaranteed premiums.</li>
<li>Looking Ahead: Free Farrowing &amp; Turnaround Pens: Insights from Frobose's work on the National Pork Board Sow Housing Consortium: Why U.S. producers must generate domestic, science-based data now to stay on offense before European-style farrowing mandates land on our doorsteps.</li>
<li>Leading by Example &amp; Overcoming Adversity: What Jyga colleague St&eacute;phane Cl&eacute;ment had to say about Hyatt "pulling the buggy," and how surviving a traumatic 2021 brain injury reshaped his perspective on partnership, time management and family.</li>
<li>Defining the Modern Stockman: Why high-tech barn automation and old-school stockmanship aren't mutually exclusive&mdash;and how managing by exception lets producers give extra care to the animals that need it most.</li>
</ul>
 Whether you are a commercial pork producer looking to optimize your herd&rsquo;s genetic potential or an ag professional passionate about the future of livestock innovation, this episode is packed with actionable insights on technology, stockmanship and leadership.

The Pork Podcast: Hyatt Frobose: Modern Stockmanship in Tech-Driven Barns | Episode 55

What can a 25-year trial lawyer, a University of Chicago MBA, and a former coal mining executive teach us about the future of the pork industry? A lot more than you might think.

In this episode of The PORK Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Jackie Bowman Ponder, owner and chief legal officer of Bowman Family Holdings, and board member for both the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and Indiana Pork.

Jackie shares her incredibly unique journey—from growing up on an Indiana horse farm and litigating in courtrooms, to navigating her family’s massive transition from the coal industry into a highly sophisticated, multi-state hog operation utilizing reclaimed coal ground.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
The Critical Warning: How the coal industry’s complacency allowed outside activists to control the narrative, and the urgent lesson the agriculture sector must learn to protect its future.
The Lawyer's Approach to Advocacy: How Jackie uses her courtroom storytelling and data-synthesis skills to make a bulletproof case for pork to lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
High-Tech Farming: Why modern agriculture is far more data-driven than the public (and even politicians) realize—including how AI fits into the equation.
Succession Planning Done Right: Hard-won advice on preparing the next generation for the family business, starting early and keeping plans relevant.
The Power of Community: How the pork industry welcomed Jackie's family with open arms, proving we are stronger when we collaborate.


Whether you are a multi-generational farmer, an industry advocate or simply passionate about the future of food, Jackie’s fierce passion and sharp business intellect will change the way you think about ag advocacy.

What can a 25-year trial lawyer, a University of Chicago MBA, and a former coal mining executive teach us about the future of the pork industry? A lot more than you might think. In this episode of The PORK Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Jackie Bowman Ponder, owner and chief legal officer of Bowman Family Holdings, and board member for both the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and Indiana Pork. Jackie shares her incredibly unique journey&mdash;from growing up on an Indiana horse farm and litigating in courtrooms, to navigating her family&rsquo;s massive transition from the coal industry into a highly sophisticated, multi-state hog operation utilizing reclaimed coal ground. In this episode, you&rsquo;ll discover:
<ul>
<li>The Critical Warning: How the coal industry&rsquo;s complacency allowed outside activists to control the narrative, and the urgent lesson the agriculture sector must learn to protect its future.</li>
<li>The Lawyer's Approach to Advocacy: How Jackie uses her courtroom storytelling and data-synthesis skills to make a bulletproof case for pork to lawmakers in Washington, D.C.</li>
<li>High-Tech Farming: Why modern agriculture is far more data-driven than the public (and even politicians) realize&mdash;including how AI fits into the equation.</li>
<li>Succession Planning Done Right: Hard-won advice on preparing the next generation for the family business, starting early and keeping plans relevant.</li>
<li>The Power of Community: How the pork industry welcomed Jackie's family with open arms, proving we are stronger when we collaborate.</li>
</ul>
 Whether you are a multi-generational farmer, an industry advocate or simply passionate about the future of food, Jackie&rsquo;s fierce passion and sharp business intellect will change the way you think about ag advocacy.

The Pork Podcast: Jackie Bowman Ponder: From the Coal Mine to the Pig Barn | Episode 54

How do we bridge the gap between highly complex genetic science and practical, bottom-line solutions for commercial pork producers? In this episode of The PORK Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Dr. Clint Schwab, Vice President of Technology and Customer Success at AcuFast Genetics.

A lifelong stockman, builder, and academic, Schwab shares his incredible career trajectory—from growing up on a Colorado seedstock farm and coaching collegiate livestock judging to serving as CEO of the National Swine Registry, leading science at The Maschhoffs, and navigating major industry mergers.

Tune in as Schwab breaks down the future of pork production, exploring:


The ROI of Genetic Technology: How producers can navigate challenging market cycles by implementing genetic progress that compounds over time.


The "Two AIs" in Swine Breeding: The powerful intersection of Artificial Intelligence (data frameworks) and Artificial Insemination (reproductive technologies like low-dose techniques, IVF and gender-skew technologies).


Precision Phenotyping: How modern biological data and bioinformatics are mitigating risk and uncovering elite genetic outliers.


The Livestock Judging Mindset: Why evaluating "puzzle pieces" in the judging ring is the ultimate training ground for system-thinking, team-building and data analysis.


People-First Leadership: Why AI will never replace emotional intelligence, humility, and mentorship.

Whether you are a commercial pork producer looking to optimize your herd’s genetic potential or an ag professional passionate about the future of livestock innovation, this episode is packed with actionable insights on technology, grit, and leadership.

How do we bridge the gap between highly complex genetic science and practical, bottom-line solutions for commercial pork producers? In this episode of The PORK Podcast, host Jennifer Shike sits down with Dr. Clint Schwab, Vice President of Technology and Customer Success at AcuFast Genetics. A lifelong stockman, builder, and academic, Schwab shares his incredible career trajectory&mdash;from growing up on a Colorado seedstock farm and coaching collegiate livestock judging to serving as CEO of the National Swine Registry, leading science at The Maschhoffs, and navigating major industry mergers. Tune in as Schwab breaks down the future of pork production, exploring:
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>
The ROI of Genetic Technology: How producers can navigate challenging market cycles by implementing genetic progress that compounds over time.
</li>
<li>
The "Two AIs" in Swine Breeding: The powerful intersection of Artificial Intelligence (data frameworks) and Artificial Insemination (reproductive technologies like low-dose techniques, IVF and gender-skew technologies).
</li>
<li>
Precision Phenotyping: How modern biological data and bioinformatics are mitigating risk and uncovering elite genetic outliers.
</li>
<li>
The Livestock Judging Mindset: Why evaluating "puzzle pieces" in the judging ring is the ultimate training ground for system-thinking, team-building and data analysis.
</li>
<li>
People-First Leadership: Why AI will never replace emotional intelligence, humility, and mentorship. Whether you are a commercial pork producer looking to optimize your herd&rsquo;s genetic potential or an ag professional passionate about the future of livestock innovation, this episode is packed with actionable insights on technology, grit, and leadership.
</li>
</ul>

The Pork Podcast: Kyle & Ellen Knauth: Building Proven Genetics & Winning Show Pigs

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