Driving Progress Through Research

In this episode of the SwineTime Podcast, host Dr. Spencer Wayne talks with Paul Frahm, Director of Research Operations, about how research can help pig farmers make practical, informed decisions on their farms.

Paul shares his background in the swine industry, starting in sow barns in Iowa before moving into research more than a decade ago. Today, he leads a team that focuses on answering real questions pig farmers face every day—questions about pig health, feed efficiency, genetics, and new technology in barns.

Pipestone Applied Research operates 2,400-head barns set up like commercial pig barns, but with additional tools to measure results accurately. Automated feed delivery, precision scales, and split water lines allow the team to test everything from pig feed additives to vaccine programs under conditions that closely resemble what farmers see in their own barns.

For producers, this kind of applied research offers meaningful value:

• Health and welfare – Trials comparing vaccines and treatments can help reduce pig losses and improve overall herd health.
• Cost efficiency – Studies on feed space, pig density, and nutrition strategies identify ways to get the most out of every pound of feed.
• Confidence in decisions – Results are based on unbiased data, giving farmers reliable information they can use.
• Relevant insights – Projects are chosen because they address current challenges in swine production, from disease prevention to barn management.

Paul explains that not every study produces groundbreaking results, but even finding that two options perform equally well can help farmers make better choices. “Our job isn’t to prove a product right or wrong,” he says. “It’s to provide good data that farmers can trust.”

The goal is simple: give producers the knowledge they need to raise healthier pigs, improve efficiency, and stay strong in a competitive industry. Farmers who want to learn more can connect with their Pipestone veterinarian, swine nutritionist, or production consultant to see how these findings might apply to their own herds.