RFA Ethanol Podcast

Measure, Model, Fix – Big Data’s Role in Animal Ag

Jamie Johansen

When the term ‘big data’ is used in agriculture, we generally think crops. However, we are hearing it more and more in animal agriculture circles. “Big data and models: Are they really useful in disease management?” turned the conversation towards swine health at the 2016 North American PRRS Symposium as Dr. Jim Lowe, University of Illinois, took the stage during …

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pork, Research, Swine

Swine Health Monitoring Project Update

Jamie Johansen

The 2016 North American PRRS Symposium took place over the weekend in Chicago, IL and researchers and swine vets from across the globe gathered to continue the control of the deadly swine disease. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) once again sponsored a session focused on prevention. Bob Morrison, University of Minnesota, started off the morning by giving an update on …

Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine

#HamsAcrossAmerica Encourages Giving

Jamie Johansen

This Giving Tuesday, the Pork Checkoff is encouraging pig farmers to pay-it-forward with a new holiday campaign called #HamsAcrossAmerica. This first annual event encourages farmers and others involved in the pork industry to show their appreciation for friends, family and neighbors through the gift of ham – in the form of gifts or donations of ham or ham-based products. “For …

Ag Groups, Food, Pork, Swine

Passing of Ag Industry Leader Doug Wolf

Cindy Zimmerman

We were saddened to hear of the sudden passing recently of Wisconsin pork producer and industry leader Doug Wolf, 61. Wolf, who was past chairman of the National Pork Producers Council and served on the board of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), was a partner in Wolf L&G Farms LLC, which he ran with his wife Kris and …

Pork, Swine, USFRA

Creating Solutions – R&D in the Field with #BIVIswine

Lizzy Schultz

Research and development in animal health is all well and good, but a strong team of professional services veterinarians to help implement and communicate to the producers is needed to ensure lab creations are effective. While visiting Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.’s (BIVI) new R&D facility in Ames, Iowa, I sat down with Dr. John Waddell, senior associate director, professional services …

Ag Groups, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Swine, World Pork Expo

Statistically Defendable Data from the Field at #BIVIswine

Jamie Johansen

Research at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) doesn’t stop in the lab. They are dedicated to taking research to the field to provide support for the BIVI swine sales and marketing team. The Field Research Services team answers customers’ product questions through field trials, diagnostic support and data management. Roy Edler, heads up that team as manager and he sat …

Agribusiness, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Research, Swine

BIVI’s Swine Diagnostics Revolution

Joanna Schroeder

There is a swine diagnostics revolution and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.’s is leading the way. The company’s Health Management Center (HMC) in Ames, Iowa is where Wayne Chittick, as manager, takes swine diagnostics to the next level.The swine diagnostic lab is part BIVI’s technical services group and was on display during this year’s World Pork Expo. Chittick said the lab …

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Research, Swine, World Pork Expo

BIVI Expands R&D Facilities in Iowa

Jamie Johansen

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) recently opened a new research and development facility at Iowa State University Research Park in Ames, Iowa and ZimmComm’s own Jamie Johansen had the opportunity to tour the facility prior to the official kick off of the 2016 World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. The Health Management Center (HMC) is also located on the …

Agribusiness, Animal Health, Audio, Boehringer Ingelheim, Research, Swine, Technology

Pork Board Names New CEO

Jamie Johansen

William J. Even, an agriculture-industry leader with substantial senior management experience in crop and livestock production, will join the National Pork Board as its new Chief Executive Officer on June 6, 2016. Currently based in South Dakota, Even is Global Industry Relations Lead with DuPont Pioneer. “As a fourth-generation farmer, I have deep, personal knowledge of the challenges facing today’s …

Ag Groups, Pork, Swine

Animal Ag Education is Working

Jamie Johansen

The control, prevention and eradication of diseases like salmonella, PRRS, E. coli and camppylobacter are all key factors to profitable production. Lance Barton, director of wean to finish and genetic services, Belstra Milling Co. spoke to attendees during a special session at ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference sharing his work with Fair Oaks Farms and how their Pig Adventure focuses …

Agribusiness, Alltech, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Education, Swine