Patio Ponderings
Exploring the Expected and the Obscure in Agriculture
From a lifetime in agriculture to deep dives into leadership, rural life, and the evolving food system, Patio Pondering is a podcast where thoughtful conversations meet the open air. Hosted by Jim Smith, Ph.D., a seasoned Swine Nutritionist, agricultural thinker, and storyteller, this podcast explores the connections between our agricultural roots and the broader world.
What started as daily reflections—scribbled with a morning coffee in hand—has grown into a podcast that uncovers the insights, challenges, and sometimes-forgotten history of the industry that feeds us all. Whether solo pondering or engaging in candid discussions with guests, this show digs into everything from livestock production to food trends, rural business shifts, and the personal stories that shape agricultural life.
Now available in both audio and video formats, Patio Pondering brings these discussions to life on YouTube and podcast platforms alike. Whether you prefer to listen on the go or watch the conversation unfold, you’ll find fresh perspectives, candid storytelling, and the kind of conversations that make you think twice.
Subscribe and join the conversation—because agriculture is more than just dirt and livestock. It’s a story worth telling.
Patio Ponderings
What We're Still Getting Wrong in Swine Production | Dr. Bob Thaler
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What challenges will define the future of the pork industry? In this episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast, Jim Smith welcomes Dr. Bob Thaler of South Dakota State University for a thoughtful conversation about swine nutrition, sow mortality, pig survivability, and the future of animal agriculture.
Drawing on decades of experience in research, Extension, consulting, and commercial pork production, Dr. Thaler shares his perspective on improving sow productivity, reducing mortality, developing the next generation of animal scientists, and why Land-Grant universities remain critical to the future of agriculture. The discussion also explores workforce challenges, livestock economics, technology, and the practical realities of modern pork production.
Whether you're a swine producer, nutritionist, veterinarian, animal science student, or agribusiness professional, this episode offers practical insights into some of the biggest questions facing today's pork industry.
Topics include:
• Swine nutrition and sow productivity
• Sow mortality and pig survivability
• Land-Grant universities and Extension
• Graduate education and workforce development
• Technology, automation, and the future of pork production