The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast - Dr. Ashley DeDecker: Day One Pig Care | Ep. 157
Feb 06, 2025In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ashley DeDecker from Smithfield talks about the essential care practices for piglets on their first day. She emphasizes how creating the right farrowing environment plays a key role in improving piglet survival rates. Dr. DeDecker also shares insights from research on drying methods, managing microenvironments, and the benefits of split suckling in today’s swine production. Listen in to discover practical piglet care techniques that can lead to better results for your swine operation.
What will you learn:
- Day one pig care
- Drying techniques
- Microenvironment optimization
- Split suckling efficacy
- Farrowing crate management
Meet the guest:
Dr. Ashley DeDecker, Senior Director of Research and Extension at Smithfield, brings over 13 years of expertise in swine production research. She holds a Ph.D. in Swine Behavior and Stress Physiology from the University of Illinois and a B.S. in Animal Science from Southern Illinois University. Her work focuses on improving swine behavior, welfare, and production practices at Smithfield.
Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn