INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PIG LIVABILITY

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Dianne has returned to Consulting after retiring from her position as Human Resources Manager and Controller for LB Pork in Northrop Minnesota, a position she held for over 10 years. In her HR capacity at LB Pork she brought over 100 foreign workers to the operation via 3 different types of work visas and also oversaw the Green card process for multiple valued employees.. Dianne has been involved in the pork industry for many years, she was President of the Minnesota Pork Producers Assn in 2022, served on the National Pork Board from 2003 to 2009 and chaired the Domestic Marketing Committee 2010 to 2012. Dianne also served a 2 year term on the NPB Nominating committee and is currently on the NPPC Labor Security Task Force. She remains active in her local and state pork organizations. 

Nicole has been with MetaFarms since January 2023, serving as Director of North American Swine. She brings 35 years of experience and relationships along with industry knowledge to the sales and marketing team. Prior to joining MetaFarms, she held sales and marketing roles in the feed, pharma, and pork industry associations (MN Pork and National Pork Board). She also taught Ag Education right out of college. She is able to leverage her strong connections and gain trust with producers at all levels by finding the unique value propositions that resonate back to them personally. Nicole grew up on a crop and swine farm in Southern MN and currently owns a contract finishing site. She holds production degrees from the University of MN and an Ag Education Degree from South Dakota State University. When not at work she enjoys training her Labrador Retrievers for field trial hunting competitions.

PJ Corns is the Technical Director for JBS Live Pork, Greeley, CO. Responsible for nearly 258,000 sows, boar studs and gilt development units across the Midwest. PJ has spent his entire career forging world class results with every step from managing large sow units in North Carolina, to working internationally with PIC and his own consultancy firm where his involvement in well over 2 million sows was driven by delivering results based upon proven protocols, system maximization, people development and biosecurity implementation and execution. PJ joined JBS in his current role in September, 2021. Besides the family's Century Farm near What Cheer Iowa that includes row crops and wean to finish operations, PJ resides with his wife and family in Ames, Iowa.

Emma Coursey, from Good Hope, Illinois is a recent graduate of the Iowa State University Department of Animal Science. She is currently attending the University of Illinois in the College of Veterinary Medicine. 

Dr. DeDecker received her Ph.D. in swine well-being at the University of Illinois in 2011 and then started her career with Smithfield Foods. Currently Senior Director of Research and Extension for Smithfield Hog Production, Dr. DeDecker oversees applied research in all disciplines of swine production with the goal to identify cost effective solutions that can be implemented at the farm level using Extension services and outreach.

Dr. Jack Dekkers grew up in the Netherlands and received B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from the Wageningen Agricultural University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in Animal Breeding. From 1989 to 1997 he was on faculty at the University of Guelph, working closely with the Canadian industry on genetic improvement of dairy cattle. He moved to Iowa State University in 1997, where he currently is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Animal Science. Current research focuses on the genetic basis of feed efficiency and health in pigs and poultry, and on the integration of quantitative genetics and genomics in breeding programs.

Dr. DeRouchey serves Kansas State University Department Animal Sciences and Industry as a Professor and Swine Extension Specialist and is the Animal Science Extension Program Leader. DeRouchey graduated from B.S in Animal Science from South Dakota State University and MS and PhD from Kansas State University in swine nutrition. 

For the past 23 years Joel has worked as a member of the productive K-State Applied Swine Nutrition Team developing, evaluating, and disseminating the latest information to increase profitability of pork producers.  He has received the 2018 National ASAS Extension Specialist Award, AFIA Nonruminant Nutrition Research Award, Midwest ASAS National Pork Board Innovation Award, Midwest ASAS Outstanding Young Scientist Researcher and Extension Specialist Award, and South Dakota State University also has recognized him with their Outstanding Young Alumni Award.  

Dr. Jenelle Dunkelberger is a geneticist at Topigs Norsvin and is based in Minnesota, USA. She holds a PhD from Iowa State University where the focus of her research was to investigate the role of host genetics in response to viral disease in pigs. She continues to study this topic, and other health-related issues, as Head of the Topigs Norsvin Global Health and Behavior Research Platform.

Dr. Hyatt Frobose serves as the USA Commercial Director and Nutritionist for JYGATechnologies, Inc., a Quebec-based company producing GESTAL brand precision feedingsystems for the swine industry. Hyatt specializes in assisting swine producers with group-housing solutions and nutritional programs to optimize performance and welfare of sows andgrowing pigs in commercial environments. Since completing his Ph.D. in swine nutrition andmanagement at Kansas State University in 2015, Dr. Frobose has been a featured speaker andspecialist working with producers around the world in adopting new technologies and adaptingto increased animal welfare standards. In his role with JYGA, Hyatt has assisted with the designor renovation of over 250 sow farms representing over 400,000 sows.

Dr. Lucina Galina is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine who also holds a PhD in swine medicine from the University of Minnesota. She is currently employed at the Pig Improvement Company where she serves as the director of technical research projects. One of the most exciting areas she works with is the management of the technical aspects of the PRRS-resistant pig project, among other innovative projects.

Dr. Derald Holtkamp is  Professor in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostics and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM) in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. Dr. Holtkamp's research focuses on managing infectious swine diseases, biosecurity, disease risk assessment, and the economics of animal health and disease. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications, is a frequent speaker in the U.S. and internationally with over 250 invited presentations, and has mentored over 275 professional and graduate students.

Abigail Jenkins is a third year PhD student at Kansas State University studying Applied Swine Nutrition. Her research has focused on nutritional and management practices for improved sow productivity and progeny performance. She graduated with a degree in Animal Science from Mississippi State University and earned a Master’s degree in Swine Reproductive Physiology from North Carolina State University under the direction of Dr. William Flowers.

Dr. Clayton Johnson is a Veterinarian and the Director of Veterinary Services at Carthage Veterinary Services, LTD based in Carthage, IL. Clayton graduated from the University of Illinois in 2008, working for The Maschhoffs from 2008-2016 before joining the Carthage Team. Clayton and his wife Ali have two children, Nina and Jake and live in Quincy, IL.

Fred Kuhr, Director of Production at Dykhuis Farms, 17,000 sow farrow to finish in Hamilton, MI. This is his 48th year in swine production. Married 32 years, 5 daughters, and 15 grandchildren. Previously, Director of Production at the Carthage System. Graduate of Executive Pork Producers Program from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Graduate of Dale Carnegie Management Training. Articles in the National Hog Farmer Science. Talks on Webinar Series sponsored by Merck Animal Health. 

Dr. Daniel Linhares is an Associate Professor and the Roy A. Schultz Professor in Swine Medicine at Iowa State University, where he also serves as Director of Graduate Education in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine. His applied research focuses on improving swine herd health and productivity through disease surveillance, risk assessment, and control strategies. He leads the Field Epidemiology research group and teaches graduate and professional courses in infectious disease ecology, swine medicine, and field trials. 

Edison obtained his degree in Veterinary Medicine (2015) in Brazil. After completing his DVM, Edison worked as a swine veterinary practitioner in the Brazilian swine industry for four years. In 2019, he came to the US to do his Master’s degree in Preventive Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University, which he finished in 2021, focusing on PRRS area regional control programs. In 2023, Edison completed his PhD in Population Sciences in Animal Health from the same University, focusing on developing automated models to integrate and analyze swine data collected under field conditions to provide insightful information for decision-makers. Currently, Edison is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Iowa State University, where he focuses on developing new strategies of data integration and machine learning to help pork producers improve swine performance. Edison also serves as the chair of the US SHIP Market Haul Sanitation Working Group since January 2023

Christine Mainquist-Whigham is the Director of Health for Pillen Family Farms and DNA Genetics, where she oversees the system health and biosecurity and serves on the research and development team. She grew up on a farm outside Stanton, IA, fostering her passion for science and agriculture. She earned a B.S. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2012, followed by a DVM and an M.S. in veterinary preventive medicine from Iowa State University in 2016. Christine currently resides in Columbus, Nebraska, with her husband Alex, and their children Callum and Lilly.

Amy Maschhoff earned her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2015 and began her career as herd veterinarian for The Maschhoffs in one of their commercial regions - based in Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma. She transitioned to work to the Technical Operations region focusing on veterinary support for research sites and Acuity's (AcuFast) genetic herds for three years. Now she serves as the Director of Health and animal care for the Maschhoffs. Amy has participated in the NPPC Swine Veterinary Public Policy Advocacy Program and serves as the AASV representative on the AVMA legislative action committee. 

Dr. Jeremy S Pittman is Senior Director, US Veterinary Services for Smithfield Hog Production. Prior to this role, Dr. Pittman served as staff veterinarian for 19 years in the company’s North Region based in Virginia.  Dr. Pittman also serves on Smithfield’s Science and Technology Committee, which uses a science-based approach to improve production, health, and business performance throughout its operations worldwide.

Dr. Pittman graduated from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in 2000 with degrees in zoology and animal science, and minors in nutrition and genetics. In 2004, he received his DVM from NCSU and started his career with Smithfield. Dr. Pittman received a master’s degree in veterinary preventative medicine from Iowa State University in 2014. In 2016 Dr. Pittman completed the Executive Veterinary Program at the University of Illinois.

Dr. Chris Rademacher is a Clinical Professor and Swine Extension Veterinarian at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine as well as the Associate Director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University. In December, 2014 he joined the faculty at Iowa State University after serving for 16 years as a Director of Health for New Fashion Pork and Director of Production Improvement for Smithfield Foods.

Dr. Tom Rathje is the Chief Technical Officer for DNA Genetics. He attended Iowa State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in animal science. He then continued his education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, receiving his Master of Science and Ph.D. in genetics and an MBA. Dr. Rathje has been with DNA Genetics since the company was founded 30 years ago and has championed the development and implementation of a range crucial investments to create a strong competitive breeding program. He has dedicated his career to ensuring a continued and sustainable food supply through genetic innovation in the livestock industry and is honored to have played an integral role by pioneering science, technology and insight-driven solutions within an applied setting.

Dr. Carlos Roudergue began his career as an independent practitioner working with swine producers in Chile, before serving as a Swine Veterinarian at Agrosuper, a leading company that manages 140,000 sows and produces approximately 4 million hogs annually. In 2012, he joined Boehringer Ingelheim as the Swine Technical Manager for South America. In 2018, Dr. Roudergue moved to the U.S. to work with Country View Family Farms (CVFF), starting as Sow Production Manager before advancing to Training and Development Manager. In 2022, he earned his Green Belt Lean Six Sigma Certification at Purdue University and in 2023, served as the Prop 12 Project Manager. Since 2024, he has held the role of Director of Technical Services at CVFF, overseeing Veterinary Services, Genetics, Research & Innovation and Continuous Improvement. 

Dr. Siever's is a veterinarian at Swine Vet Center where he has practiced since graduating Vet School from Iowa State University. He works with mid-sized producers across Iowa in all three stages of production. Dr. Siever's currently resides in Storm Lake, Iowa, and is blessed with three boys that enjoy the outdoors with him.

Mikayla Spinler is a PhD student with the Applied Swine Nutrition Team at Kansas State University. Originally from Minnesota, she grew up on her family’s farm and earned her master’s degree in swine nutrition from Kansas State in 2023. Her PhD research focuses on precision feeding of lysine to lactating sows and its impact on sow and litter performance, nitrogen utilization, and feed cost. She also led a large-scale study at a commercial sow farm examining the effects of split suckling on pre- and post-weaning growth and mortality. During her PhD program, Mikayla developed a practical decision-support tool to help producers determine the optimal level of DDGS inclusion in grow-finish diets based on economic return. She is currently conducting a large-scale data analysis to identify sow dietary factors that influence litter gain during lactation and determine lysine intake requirements per kilogram of litter gain. In addition to her research, Mikayla serves as the Kansas State research coordinator for a commercial production system. She is expected to complete her PhD program in December 2025.

Dr. Pete Thomas is Director of Veterinary Services for Iowa Select Farms. Pete is a member of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and has served on its program planning committee, budget committee, and pharmaceutical issues committee. He has attended the National Pork Producer Council’s Pork Leadership Institute and is a certificated Pork Quality Assurance Plus advisor through the National Pork Board. Pete graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine with a Masters of Science degree in preventive medicine and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.  

Dr. Mike Tokach is a University Distinguished Professor of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University. Tokach joined K-State in 1991 and, as a swine nutrition researcher and extension specialist, is an author on more than 490 articles in scientific journals, 11 book chapters and more than 1,200 extension and non-refereed articles. Tokach has received more than $28 million in research grants and gifts. He also has been awarded seven patents for his research and has given more than 380 invited lectures at national and international conferences. Tokach has also advised and mentored over 120 advanced-degree students and visiting professors since joining the university. Mike’s wife Lisa also specializes in Swine as a veterinarian. Together, they have three children, Sage, Rogan, and Fiona.

Alexander Umbaugh has been with Iowa Select Farms for the last 7 years since his graduation at Iowa State University. His journey with Iowa Select Farms has been unique as he has held various roles within the company. Key roles during his time with Iowa Select Farms include helping start up a 7,500 sow unit and manage the breeding department, has worked as a Body Condition Specialist, evaluating sow condition scores and feed usage, while collaborating with farm staff on caliper implementation. He has worked as a Sow Retention Specialist helping train and educate Sow and GDU crew members on improving sow livability. He now holds the current position of helping facilitate depop/repop farm cleaning along with supervising one sow farm located in Northeast Iowa.

Noel H Williams. PhD, Swine Nutrition, Iowa State University. Currently Senior Vice President for Live Operations, Seaboard Foods overseeing live operations and renewable gas operations across 5 states. Prior to Seaboard Foods, was Chief of Operating Officer at Iowa Select Farms for 10 years, General Manager, PIC North America for 10 years and started career with Land O'Lakes in the Nutrition and Live Production Business. Noel and his wife Jacque have 7 children, 4 of which who work in the Ag Industry and three younger children who currently are in middle and high school at their home in Stratford, Texas.