Independence, IA – Pig Care Conference 2026
Meet the Speakers
About Dr. Jeff Blythe
Host
Dr. Jeff Blythe is the Managing Veterinarian in Orange City, IA. He began his career with the Orange City Vet Clinic in 1992 and became a partner in 1994. Following Pipestone’s acquisition of the clinic in 2018, he became a partner in Pipestone Holdings and continues to serve producers through practical, hands‑on veterinary care.
Raised on a crop and livestock farm in Williamsburg, IA, Jeff earned his B.A. in Biology from Central College before completing his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Iowa State University in 1991.
Jeff and his wife, Darcy, enjoy their growing family, including their three adult children—Paige (husband Garrett and grandchildren Graham, Harper, and Liam), Nolan (wife Andrea and granddaughter Eloise), and Clayton (wife Angela). In his free time, Jeff enjoys family time, traveling, hunting, and golfing.
Dr. Jeff Blythe is the Managing Veterinarian in Orange City, IA. He began his career with the Orange City Vet Clinic in 1992 and became a partner in 1994. Following Pipestone’s acquisition of the clinic in 2018, he became a partner in Pipestone Holdings and continues to serve producers through practical, hands‑on veterinary care.
Raised on a crop and livestock farm in Williamsburg, IA, Jeff earned his B.A. in Biology from Central College before completing his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Iowa State University in 1991.
Jeff and his wife, Darcy, enjoy their growing family, including their three adult children—Paige (husband Garrett and grandchildren Graham, Harper, and Liam), Nolan (wife Andrea and granddaughter Eloise), and Clayton (wife Angela). In his free time, Jeff enjoys family time, traveling, hunting, and golfing.
About Dr. Aj Smit
Speaker — “Better Air, Better Pig: Slat-Level Care”
Dr. AJ Smit is a veterinarian with Pipestone Veterinary Services in Orange City, IA. He joined the Orange City Vet Clinic in 2013 after practicing mixed animal medicine at Sioux Center Veterinary Clinic and became a partner at Pipestone following the acquisition of the clinic in 2018.
Born and raised in Orange City, IA, AJ grew up around livestock and developed a strong appreciation for farm life early on. He earned his undergraduate degree from Northwestern College in 2004 and spent three years with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs before pursuing veterinary school. He completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University in 2011.
Dr. Smit and his wife are proud parents of seven children. Outside of work, he enjoys family time, farm life, and staying engaged in his local community.
Dr. AJ Smit is a veterinarian with Pipestone Veterinary Services in Orange City, IA. He joined the Orange City Vet Clinic in 2013 after practicing mixed animal medicine at Sioux Center Veterinary Clinic and became a partner at Pipestone following the acquisition of the clinic in 2018.
Born and raised in Orange City, IA, AJ grew up around livestock and developed a strong appreciation for farm life early on. He earned his undergraduate degree from Northwestern College in 2004 and spent three years with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs before pursuing veterinary school. He completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University in 2011.
Dr. Smit and his wife are proud parents of seven children. Outside of work, he enjoys family time, farm life, and staying engaged in his local community.
About Eric Cleveringa
Speaker — “Better Air, Better Pig: Slat-Level Care”
Eric Cleveringa is a Veterinary Physician Assistant in Orange City, IA. He joined Pipestone in January 2022.
Eric graduated from Iowa State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree. His agricultural background and field experience have shaped his ability to work closely with producers and support effective, real‑world pig management practices.
Eric and his wife, Jennifer, have four boys—Camden, Creighton, Kinnick, and Karson. Outside of work, he enjoys both watching and playing sports and spending weekends outdoors with his family, whether camping or enjoying time on the water.
Eric Cleveringa is a Veterinary Physician Assistant in Orange City, IA. He joined Pipestone in January 2022.
Eric graduated from Iowa State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree. His agricultural background and field experience have shaped his ability to work closely with producers and support effective, real‑world pig management practices.
Eric and his wife, Jennifer, have four boys—Camden, Creighton, Kinnick, and Karson. Outside of work, he enjoys both watching and playing sports and spending weekends outdoors with his family, whether camping or enjoying time on the water.
About Jon DeJong
Speaker — “Precision at the Bin: Feed and Bin Technology”
Jon De Jong is the Executive Vice President of Pipestone Nutrition. Since joining Pipestone in 2011, Jon has built a strong reputation for science‑based decision‑making and practical field insight that helps producers strengthen performance through sound nutritional programs.
Raised in Orange City, IA, Jon grew up working on his family’s farm. He earned his B.S. from South Dakota State University and completed his M.S. and PhD in Swine Nutrition at Kansas State University.
Jon was recognized with the Outstanding Early Career Agribusiness Award by the American Society of Animal Science in 2025.
Jon and his wife, Karis, live in Orange City, IA, with their five children: Brooks, Adaline, Hayes, Vaughn, and Mack. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, hiking, and spending time with family.
Jon De Jong is the Executive Vice President of Pipestone Nutrition. Since joining Pipestone in 2011, Jon has built a strong reputation for science‑based decision‑making and practical field insight that helps producers strengthen performance through sound nutritional programs.
Raised in Orange City, IA, Jon grew up working on his family’s farm. He earned his B.S. from South Dakota State University and completed his M.S. and PhD in Swine Nutrition at Kansas State University.
Jon was recognized with the Outstanding Early Career Agribusiness Award by the American Society of Animal Science in 2025.
Jon and his wife, Karis, live in Orange City, IA, with their five children: Brooks, Adaline, Hayes, Vaughn, and Mack. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, hiking, and spending time with family.
About Kiah Berg
Speaker — “Precision at the Bin: Feed and Bin Technology”
Dr. Kiah Berg is the Vice President of Nutrition at Pipestone, where she oversees swine diet formulation, business development, and research initiatives. Since joining Pipestone in 2020, she has become known for her practical nutrition expertise and her commitment to helping farmers improve herd performance through data‑driven solutions.
Originally from Philomath, Oregon, Kiah grew up raising and showing pigs. She earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Applied Swine Nutrition from Kansas State University.
Kiah, her husband, Andrew, and their children, Harper and Miller, live in Pipestone, MN, where they raise sheep and cattle. Outside of work, she enjoys livestock, family time, and life on their acreage.
Dr. Kiah Berg is the Vice President of Nutrition at Pipestone, where she oversees swine diet formulation, business development, and research initiatives. Since joining Pipestone in 2020, she has become known for her practical nutrition expertise and her commitment to helping farmers improve herd performance through data‑driven solutions.
Originally from Philomath, Oregon, Kiah grew up raising and showing pigs. She earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Applied Swine Nutrition from Kansas State University.
Kiah, her husband, Andrew, and their children, Harper and Miller, live in Pipestone, MN, where they raise sheep and cattle. Outside of work, she enjoys livestock, family time, and life on their acreage.
About Erin Little
Speaker — “Lifting the Lows: Boosting Barn Performance”
Erin Little is the Director of FarmStats at Pipestone, where she leads data analysis, benchmarking, and business optimization tools that support producers in making more informed, profitable decisions. She began her career with Pipestone Research in 2015, managing day‑to‑day research barn operations and later overseeing research protocols, trial design, and data interpretation as Director of Research Operations.
Erin earned her B.S. in Animal Science (2015) and M.S. in Swine Genetics (2019) from South Dakota State University. Her background in applied research and genetics gives her a strong foundation for guiding data‑driven improvements in grow‑finish production systems.
Erin plays a key role in connecting research and production insights with field application through FarmStats, helping producers strengthen performance, efficiency, and business planning.
Erin and her husband, Derek, live south of Brookings, SD, where they raise sheep and cattle on their acreage. They have three children, Finn, Colly and Briar. Outside of work, she enjoys livestock, agriculture, and time spent on the farm.
Erin Little is the Director of FarmStats at Pipestone, where she leads data analysis, benchmarking, and business optimization tools that support producers in making more informed, profitable decisions. She began her career with Pipestone Research in 2015, managing day‑to‑day research barn operations and later overseeing research protocols, trial design, and data interpretation as Director of Research Operations.
Erin earned her B.S. in Animal Science (2015) and M.S. in Swine Genetics (2019) from South Dakota State University. Her background in applied research and genetics gives her a strong foundation for guiding data‑driven improvements in grow‑finish production systems.
Erin plays a key role in connecting research and production insights with field application through FarmStats, helping producers strengthen performance, efficiency, and business planning.
Erin and her husband, Derek, live south of Brookings, SD, where they raise sheep and cattle on their acreage. They have three children, Finn, Colly and Briar. Outside of work, she enjoys livestock, agriculture, and time spent on the farm.
About Justin Roelofs
Speaker — “Building to Last: Retrofitting Assets”
Justin Roelofs is the Vice President of Relationship Management for Pipestone Management. He joined Pipestone in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer for Pipestone Management after seven years in agricultural lending focused on large‑scale swine operations.
Justin grew up immersed in swine and agricultural production, which shaped his early understanding of livestock, business, and farm management. He earned his B.S. in Finance and Accounting from the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State University, Mankato, graduating in 2008.
Throughout his career, Justin has been known for his practical understanding of farm finance, strong producer relationships, and ability to help operations navigate growth, risk, and long‑term financial success.
Justin and his wife, Jenna, have three children—Paxton, Quinn, and Audra. Outside of work, he enjoys supporting their activities, including baseball, tennis, and soccer.
Justin Roelofs is the Vice President of Relationship Management for Pipestone Management. He joined Pipestone in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer for Pipestone Management after seven years in agricultural lending focused on large‑scale swine operations.
Justin grew up immersed in swine and agricultural production, which shaped his early understanding of livestock, business, and farm management. He earned his B.S. in Finance and Accounting from the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State University, Mankato, graduating in 2008.
Throughout his career, Justin has been known for his practical understanding of farm finance, strong producer relationships, and ability to help operations navigate growth, risk, and long‑term financial success.
Justin and his wife, Jenna, have three children—Paxton, Quinn, and Audra. Outside of work, he enjoys supporting their activities, including baseball, tennis, and soccer.
About Hannah Walkes
Panel Host
Hannah Walkes is the President of Pipestone Services. Since joining Pipestone in 2007, she has built a career focused on advancing science‑based solutions that support independent family farms.
Raised on a crop and livestock farm near Lakefield, MN, Hannah earned degrees in Microbiology and Chemistry from South Dakota State University. She began her Pipestone career as a biosecurity coordinator, implementing and auditing biosecurity procedures on sow farms, and later served as President of Pipestone Veterinary Services.
Hannah remains actively connected to South Dakota State University through athletics and alumni involvement. Hannah and her husband, Dominic, live in Brandon, SD, with their three children—Caden, Logan, and Briggs. They enjoy sporting events, time on the water, and cheering on the SDSU Jackrabbits every chance they get.
Hannah Walkes is the President of Pipestone Services. Since joining Pipestone in 2007, she has built a career focused on advancing science‑based solutions that support independent family farms.
Raised on a crop and livestock farm near Lakefield, MN, Hannah earned degrees in Microbiology and Chemistry from South Dakota State University. She began her Pipestone career as a biosecurity coordinator, implementing and auditing biosecurity procedures on sow farms, and later served as President of Pipestone Veterinary Services.
Hannah remains actively connected to South Dakota State University through athletics and alumni involvement. Hannah and her husband, Dominic, live in Brandon, SD, with their three children—Caden, Logan, and Briggs. They enjoy sporting events, time on the water, and cheering on the SDSU Jackrabbits every chance they get.