Glenn Muller, executive director of the South Dakota Pork Producers Council, addresses attendees at the ninth annual Swine Day, held Nov. 4 at Club 71 in Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
BROOKINGS, S.D. — Nov. 14, 2025 — South Dakota State University held its ninth annual Swine Day at Club 71 in Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on Nov. 4. Organized by university swine research and extension personnel, the daylong event offered attendees a full day of learning and connection.
“Swine Day is a tremendous opportunity to bring together swine producers, researchers, students and allied industry members on our campus and provide them with an educational opportunity to help elevate their business,” Rafe Royall, assistant professor and SDSU Extension swine specialist, said. “It was great to see individuals from various operations and our students come together to discuss opportunities for improvement in the industry. The swine research and extension team hopes this event helped foster opportunities for collaboration for all attendees.”
The day began with a student poster competition, allowing undergraduate and graduate students to share their research. Afterward, John Jaeger, Calvin and Mary Hayenga Endowed Department Head and Professor of Animal Science, gave a formal welcome and provided an update on departmental initiatives and programming.
Matt Erickson, senior research analyst with Terrain Ag, provided an industry perspective on current trends and economic considerations in the swine industry. The morning session concluded with research updates from SDSU associate professor Crystal Levesque and assistant professor Eric Weaver.
After lunch, winners of the poster competition were announced.
Doctoral Division
- First – Katlyn McClellan, “Feeding the prolific sow for success: Late gestation phase feeding improves farrowing duration, micronutrient status and reproductive outcomes”
- Second – Joseph Halbur, “Optimizing soybean meal utilization: Pig performance unchanged at lower Lysine:NE ratios”
Master’s Division
- First – Kynna Crawford , “Using a screening tool is effective in choosing costly nursery ingredients”
- Second – Courtney Pohlen , “Effects of low and high soybean meal inclusion on growth performance and carcass characteristics of wean-market pigs”
Undergraduate Division
- First – Elle Ploeger , “Weaning acclimation impacts feeding behavior, thermoregulation and growth performance of piglets”
- Second – Abigail Morse, “Assessing the prevalence of anemia and its association with reproductive performance in prolific sows on a high-mortality farm”
The afternoon featured keynote speaker Glenn Muller, executive director of the South Dakota Pork Producers Council, who reflected on his 14-year tenure with the organization, including garnering support for the SDSU Swine Research and Education Facility.
“The thing I’m most proud of is (that) every member of the board made a contribution out of their own pocket to the Swine Research and Education Facility,” he said, highlighting the council’s support of the South Dakota swine industry. Following his remarks, SDSU swine research and extension personnel presented Muller with a gift in recognition of his dedication and service.
Among the presenters at Swine Day was Bob Thaler, Farm Credit Services of America Endowed Chair in Swine Production and SDSU Extension swine specialist, who discussed the past, present and future of swine research and extension at SDSU.
“The SDSU swine group has had a long tradition of making a positive difference in producers’ and students’ lives, in spite of many challenges,” Thaler said. “It started with Rick Wahlstrom, George Libal and LaVerne ‘Korty’ Kortan and continues today with our current team.”
Those leading today’s efforts are:
- Crystal Levesque, associate professor of swine nutrition
- Aaron Prinz, swine unit manager
- Rafe Royall, assistant professor/SDSU Extension swine specialist
- Kaylyn Rudy, SDSU Extension swine field specialist I
- Bob Thaler, Farm Credit Services of America Endowed Chair in Swine Production and SDSU Extension swine specialist
- Eric Weaver, assistant professor of swine nutrition
To conclude the day, David Newman, newly appointed chief executive officer of the National Pork Board, presented “Focusing on What’s Best for the Farmer,” highlighting his vision of the pork industry as he begins his new role. A student-led panel followed, offering insights into internships and other professional development opportunities in the swine industry.
The event was made possible thanks to the support of the South Dakota Pork Producers Council, XFE Products, Farm Credit Services of America and Phibro Animal Health Corp.
