Manitoba Swine Seminar Guest Speakers - Feb 5th,2025

Timing of Post Cervix Artificial Insemination”

• Additional information to be updated at a later date

February 5th,2025  2:45PM

Paul is the Senior Risk Management and Market Analyst for h@ms Marketing Services, a producer-owned co-op based in Headingley, Manitoba proudly serving hog producers in western Canada. He holds a BA(Adv.) in Global Political Economy (University of Manitoba) and a joint-MPA (universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba). Paul has been working exclusively in the hog sector with h@ms Marketing since 2012 where he has designed and collaboratively developed distinct, in-house forward contract programs for hog producers delivering to federally inspected processing plants in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. 

Managing Your Risk – Protecting Your Marketing Plan with Forward Contracting

  Dr. Juárez coordinates the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Livestock Phenomics program, focused on meat production. He applies a holistic approach to evaluate the interactions between genetic and environmental factors in order to quantify their contribution on animal performance, carcass and meat quality. His goal is the optimization of livestock production systems to maximize profitability while maintaining or enhancing carcass and meat quality.

Canadian Pork Quality – Genetics, Feed and the Global Appetite i

February 5th, 2025  11:00 AM.

 Kevin Brooks grew up on a traditional farm in Rosthern, Saskatchewan, where livestock such as hogs, cattle, sheep, chickens, geese, and even goats were part of daily life. The farm was supported by both grain production and livestock and this hands-on upbringing instilled in Kevin a deep understanding of farm life and livestock farming.

Currently, Kevin works for Olymel Swine West, based in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, specializing in swine production. His focus is on animal handling and welfare, and he collaborates with the production team on staff training, transport staff education, and various on-farm projects. With over two decades of experience in large-scale hog operations across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba, Kevin has developed a wealth of practical knowledge in the industry.

Known for his somewhat unorthodox approach to training, Kevin’s methods often challenge conventional thinking. His sessions are interactive, engaging, and thought-provoking, with a strong emphasis on low-stress animal handling. His passion for teaching and coaching others is contagious, and after one of his sessions, participants often find themselves looking at animal care—and even staff management—through a fresh lens. Kevin’s ability to connect with both the people he trains and the animals he works with makes him a unique and respected figure in the field.

Dr. Johnson is an Associate Professor of Animal Welfare and Stress Physiology in the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri. The overall goal of his research program is to identify production-relevant stressors and mitigate their impacts on livestock health, productivity, and welfare with a specific focus on heat stress related issues in swine.

  Dr. Johnston has been a faculty member in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota since 1988 and has reached the rank of Professor. He is located at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in rural, western Minnesota. Dr. Johnston's current responsibilities include delivering educational programs to pork producers and other industry professionals, conducting swine nutrition and management research, and supervising the West Central Research and Outreach Center's swine research unit. 

    Steve Dziver is the owner and president of True Ag Developments, a software consulting firm based in Winnipeg, Manitoba focused on agribusiness risk and margin management. 

Steve has spent the last 23 years specializing in livestock and grain risk management providing services to independent farm organizations and corporate businesses across Canada and the US Midwest. 

Steve grew up on a grain farm in rural Manitoba before moving to Winnipeg where he acquired a Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Agriculture and designation with the Canadian Securities Institute.

Most of Steve’s time is focused on supporting individual producers by providing them with tools to make well-informed decisions. 

Steve is highly involved in price discovery and negotiations of specific commodities including isoweans and feeder pigs, market hogs, feed stuffs and field crops. 

Steve continues to be actively involved in the exploration for improved pricing methodology for grain and livestock producers.
 

What Does My Production Date Mean

February 6th, 2025  9:45 am
 

Dr. Laura Greiner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University, where she teaches undergraduate courses in swine production and conducts research focused on gilt and sow development, particularly the impact of nutrition and disease on reproductive health. She also mentors graduate students in this area, advancing knowledge in swine reproduction.

In addition to her academic role, Dr. Greiner is the Director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC), where she leads a team of eight field specialists and staff. Together, they work with over 90 industry professionals to engage Iowa's swine producers through extension programs that address key challenges and promote sustainable practices in pork production.

Prior to joining Iowa State, Dr. Greiner spent 13 years at Carthage Innovative Swine Solutions, serving as Director of Research. There, she oversaw a large-scale research program that included 6,000 sow spaces, 4,800 wean-to-finish spaces, and a Biosafety Level 2 facility. Her research and outreach efforts focus on improving the health and productivity of reproductive females, with a particular emphasis on nutrition. Dr. Greiner is dedicated to educating the next generation of animal scientists and advancing the pork industry.

Day 1 Pig Care – Getting pigs off to a good start

Inspired by his parents' lifelong career in swine production,
Jean-Philippe Martineau pursued his academic goals, culminating in a master's degree in Animal Science at the University Laval in Quebec.
Equipped with a robust foundation in the field, he embarked on a
professional journey that seamlessly integrated his expertise in swine nutrition, production and data analysis.
 

Following a fulfilling five-year tenure as a swine nutritionist at
Hylife in Manitoba, where he gained invaluable hands-on
experience, Jean-Philippe made the decision to return to Quebec.
Joining Nutrition Athena, the nutrition division of Groupe Ceres in
Quebec, he eventually ascended to co-ownership. His multidisciplinary proficiency in nutrition and production contributes to the company's ongoing success.
 

Jean-Philippe takes great pride in his role as a father to three
children and cherishes his marriage to his beloved wife, Danièle
Mabon, whose family hails from Manitoba. Seeking proximity to
Danièle's family and friends, Jean-Philippe just recently started a
new chapter in his swine nutritionist career in the Western Canada, joining the FarmHouse and Nutrition Partner team.
 

Willem Steyn is a distinguished Nutritionist and the Founder and Owner of SwiNE Nutrition Management Pty Ltd, a reputable nutrition consultancy company based in South Africa and The Netherlands. With a profound passion for animal nutrition and an extensive international network, he has devoted his career in aiding pig farmers in unleashing the genetic potential of their livestock. Willem's expertise and substantial contributions have left an indelible mark on the agricultural sector, with a distinct focus on the swine industry.

Founder and Owner of SwiNE Nutrition Management Pty Ltd. SwiNE Nutrition Management specialises in the development of feed programs and offers valuable assistance to pig farmers, enabling them to optimise the genetic potential of their animals. Leveraging his international experience and extensive network, Willem is committed to contributing to the agricultural sector in South Africa, Canada, The Netherlands and Asia, striving to unlock the full potential of the swine industry in these regions.

Manager of a 1000-sow Multiplier unit for TOPIGS SA. Seven years of invaluable experience as a Swine Nutritionist with Topigs Norsvin International, an international breeding company headquartered in the Netherlands. Since 2016, Willem established his own enterprise, SwiNE Nutrition Management, in South Africa and The Netherlands.

Doctoral candidate in Animal Nutrition conducting research on space optimisation in grower-finisher pigs. Master of Science Degree in Animal Nutrition, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Master's degree in Business Administration, TIAS School for Business and Society, Utrecht, the Netherlands.