Speakers

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 Dr. Tami Brown-Brandl is a professor and Dr. William E. and Eleanor L. Splinter Chair at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She received her BS in Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, a dual MS degree in Animal Science and Biological Systems Engineering from UNL, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Kentucky. Her research program has been focused on engineering approaches to improve animal well-being and production efficiency. Currently, she is working in an area of research called precision animal management, where technology is applied directly to the animal environment to aid in animal management, guide engineering decisions, and develop novel phenotypes. 

Silvia Casteneda has a Bachelor degree in B.A. from Devry University with a specialization in HR Management. She immigrated to the U.S. as a small child in 1990 and moved around a bit before settling in Muscatine, Iowa where she completed her general education. She has had the opportunity to work in various industries but has stuck with swine for 10 years now. 

PJ Corns is the Director of Sow Production for JBS Live Pork, Greeley, CO. Responsible for nearly 240,000 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 with wife and family in Ames, Iowa.

Jenelle holds a Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa and earned a PhD in Genetics from Iowa State University as a USDA National Needs Fellow. She has published a number of papers and conference proceedings on animal genetics related topics, particularly on the role of host genetics in response to disease challenge. She continues to pursue this area of research as leader of the Global Health & Behavior Platform for Topigs Norsvin. Jenelle currently resides in Minnesota with her husband Brent and son Dallas. 

 Dr. Farmer is a research scientist in sow lactation biology who has been working at the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada since 1986. She obtained her B.Sc. from McGill University, her M.Sc. from the University of Saskatchewan and her Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Farmer was a pioneer in studying mammary development in gilts and sows and identifying the various factors affecting it. 

 Dr. Laura Greiner is an assistant professor at Iowa State University where she currently has a 50% teaching, 25% research and 25% extension role. Her current research focuses on gilt development and sow immunity. Prior to her arrival to Iowa State, Laura worked as the Director of Research at Carthage Innovative Swine Solutions and oversaw sow and wean to finish research for 13 years.

 Dr. Rob Knox is a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois where he has served as a state swine extension specialist since 1999. Rob received degrees from the University of Delaware and University of Nebraska. Dr. Knox has helped develop education and training programs for breeding farms, and his lab performs research in AI technology, reproductive diagnostics, housing and stress effects on fertility, hormone control of reproduction, and use of frozen boar sperm. 

 Christine Mainquist-Whigham is the Director of Health for Pillen Family Farms/DNA Genetics Nucleus. Her role includes overseeing the health of the system’s sows as well as the downstream nursery and finishing. A native of Stanton, Iowa and raised on a farm with row crops and a cow/calf operation, she pursued science and agriculture, earning a B.S. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2012. In 2016 she received her DVM as well as her MS in veterinary preventive medicine from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Christine resides in Columbus, NE with her husband Alex and son Callum. 

 Chet Mogler is a farrow to finish producer from Lyon County, Iowa. Chet manages Pig Hill Companies swine production which markets over 200,000 hogs per year. Chet was intimately involved in design, construction, and start-up of the Mogler family's 4400 head sow farm, Pig Hill West. In his spare time Chet enjoys spending time with his wife Cassie and 10 kiddos on their acreage. 

Cesar Moura received a DVM in Brazil in 2015, then a PhD at ISU in 2020. He currently works as a Research Manager at Iowa Select Farms. 

Victor Ochoa is the Director of Swineworks, one of the largest staffing companies in the swine industry. He is a Veterinarian with a MBA from Colorado State University and a Certified Immigration Law specialist from Cornell University. Before joining Swineworks Victor served as Animal Welfare specialist at PIC and Production Manager for Smithfield foods. 

Tom received his DVM from Kansas State University in 1995. The vast majority of his career has been in the livestock medicine role, with the main focus on the swine industry. He has a private practice with one associate and clients primarily in Nebraska and Kansas. He is currently also enrolled as a Master's student in the VDPAM at ISU.

David Rosero recently joined the faculty at Iowa State University as an Assistant Professor. His research program will focus on conducting applied research on swine nutrition and smart farming, with special emphasis on developing technologies to improve sow survivability and longevity. David is passionate about training and inspiring the new generation of professionals in the development of innovations to advance the swine industry. He previously served at the Hanor Company as the Technical Officer, overseeing the nutrition programs, research, and innovations efforts. His research contribution to swine industry include the understanding of the nutritional value of dietary lipids and essential fatty acids on sow long-term productivity.

Alexander Umbaugh helps educate and train as it relates to sow livability and body condition. He works with supervisors, managers, veterinarians, and other support departments to create livability solutions for specific farms. He has worked as a Breeding Department Head for three different sow units and was a part of starting a new 7,500 head site back in 2019. 

Education from Iowa State University, BS and Masters and PhD in reproductive physiology at University of Kentucky. Mark taught for 11 yr at University of Minnesota, Waseca and was awarded the Morse Amoco Award for undergraduate Education. Dr. Wilson proceeded to become involved in the swine industry and learn from his experiences of United Feeds, Director of technology involved in boar and sow research, Minitube of America, Vice President of technology transfer, Zinpro Corpoation for research and nutritional services and Feedworks USA involved in Monogastric research and technology. Mark has been a speaker for talks given in 47 different countries. So proud of his wife Molly, three daughter and 4 grandchildren. 

 Dr. Bradley Wolter is President of Windy Hill Insights, LLC, a company engaged in consulting businesses and systems within meat animal production. Bradley is recently past President & Chief Executive Officer of Maschhoff Family Foods, LLC. While at The Maschhoffs for over 20 year he worked throughout the business to support the exponential growth of its operation. He attended the University of Illinois majoring in Animal Science. His graduate research program included the study of nutrition, genetics, and housing management of pigs in commercial production. Bradley and his wife, Kimberly, along with their children, Lauren and Blake, own and operate Windy Hill Meadows, LLC a Midwest-based beef operation producing over 600 head per year selling registered Angus breeding stock to beef producers and quality beef as direct-sales to consumers.