The Round Barn

In this episode of The Round Barn, Kaylee Hillinger has a conversation with Dr. Martin Mohr, a swine veterinarian and the owner of Mohr Vet and Mohr Vet Research in Minnesota. Recently, Dr. Mohr achieved his Master of Veterinary Science degree from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. They discuss his capstone project on the management of veterinary diagnostic data. Dr. Mohr highlights the challenges faced while managing information from multiple laboratories with diverse specialties. He emphasizes the significance of effective communication of both preliminary and final results to stakeholders and proposes potential solutions involving collaboration between veterinary professionals and labs. The discussion further extends to the challenges faced by the industry and the necessity for a proactive approach.For more information on the Master of Veterinary Science degree, visit Vetmed.Illinois.edu/MVS.After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois or visit online at vetmed.illinois.edu/ope2 to discover additional learning opportunities!

In this episode of The Round Barn, Dr. Jim Lowe and Kaylee Hillinger dive into the dynamic world of pet care, discussing the recent entry of retail giants Walmart and Amazon into the veterinary telehealth space. From Walmart's acquisition of the telehealth firm PAWP to Amazon's considerations for offering veterinary telehealth, the hosts explore the implications for the veterinary profession. They share insights into the evolving landscape of pet care, the impact of technology, and the exciting possibilities for predictive and remote care delivery. Join them as they navigate the intersections of commerce, innovation, and the well-being of our companion animals.After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois or visit online at vetmed.illinois.edu/ope2 to discover additional learning opportunities!

In this episode of The Round Barn Podcast, Dr. Jim Lowe and Kaylee Hillinger discuss gene editing and its potential to revolutionize animal welfare and agriculture. The hosts explain the difference between gene editing and genetic modification and explore the recent advancements in CRISPR technology. They highlight the progress made in creating disease-resistant animals, such as PRRS-resistant pigs and BVD-resistant cattle, and the potential to enhance animal welfare by reducing the incidence of diseases that cause suffering and mortality. Additionally, the conversation touches on the environmental advantages of gene editing, including reduced antibiotic use and carbon consumption, as well as the potential to enhance sustainability in the food system. They also chat about the commercialization and scaling challenges faced by gene editing technology and the importance of transparency and consumer education. After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois or visit online at vetmed.illinois.edu/ope2 to discover additional learning opportunities!

In this episode of The Round Barn Podcast, hosts Dr. Jim Lowe and Kaylee Hillinger explore the important role that checkoff programs play in supporting the animal agriculture industry. They discuss how checkoff dollars are used to promote, educate, and drive consumer demand for pork and other products, both domestically and globally. Join them as they unravel the complexities of this essential funding mechanism, its significance for producers, and the challenges posed by recent legislative efforts. Gain valuable insights into the industry's future and don't miss this engaging conversation that sheds light on the behind-the-scenes work that goes into producing and promoting pork.After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois or visit online at vetmed.illinois.edu/ope2 to discover additional learning opportunities!

In this episode of the Round Barn podcast, hosts Dr. Jim Lowe and Kaylee Hillinger delve into the intriguing world of lab-grown proteins, challenging the popular notions of "fake meat." They share their candid thoughts on the environmental and dietary implications of these alternative meat products. From flexitarian choices to the evolving science behind cultured meat, Kaylee and Jim explore it all. Plus, they uncover a surprising potential benefit related to pharmaceuticals that might emerge from this unconventional technology. Join them for a thought-provoking conversation that navigates the complex intersection of food, science, and choice. Tune in and discover the fascinating possibilities and challenges surrounding lab-grown proteins. After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois or visit online at vetmed.illinois.edu/ope2 to discover additional learning opportunities!

Dr. Jim Lowe and Kaylee Hillinger have a conversation about the fresh start that the fall season brings to the University. They discuss the varied learning experiences that the first-year veterinary students will have compared to their senior peers, the fourth-year students who began their veterinary school journey at the onset of the pandemic. After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois or visit online at vetmed.illinois.edu/ope2to discover additional learning opportunities!

Dr. Jim Lowe and Kaylee Hillinger converse about the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine's involvement in the Illinois State Fair. The fair serves as an exceptional platform for veterinary students to learn and gain experience. Additionally, it provides a valuable opportunity to engage with children and inspire them to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois or visit online at vetmed.illinois.edu/ope2 to discover additional learning opportunities!

Walmart takes another step towards its goal of an end-to-end supply chain for Angus beef with a $257 million investment into a processing and packaging facility in Olathe, KS. Jim Lowe and Kaylee Hillinger discuss how this change will allow Walmart to have more control over the product in the meat case.After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois or visit us at online.vetmed.illinois.edu to discover additional learning opportunities!

Amazing things are happening at The Round Barn and we have good news to share! Dr. Jim Lowe and Kaylee Hillinger introduce the "Virtual Care Hub". They talk through how the Virtual Care Hub will integrate technology into animal care and the new learning opportunities that will be available at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois or visit us at online.vetmed.illinois.edu to discover additional learning opportunities!

Chat GPT (Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) and AI chatbots are popping up across various platforms. Dr. Jim Lowe and Kaylee Hillinger talk through how these tools work, their current challenges and future opportunities for utilization in the agriculture industry.After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois or visit us at online.vetmed.illinois.edu to discover additional learning opportunities!

Feral swine in the US have a long history of being a risk to health of commercial pigs, destructive to the land in which they populate and in a recent news story of a feral pig in North Dakota, dangerous. Dr. Jim Lowe and Kaylee Hillinger talk about the history, challenges and risks of feral pigs in the United States.After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois or visit us at online.vetmed.illinois.edu to discover additional learning opportunities!

In 2024, Mexico intends to phase out genetically engineered corn and glyphosate. Mexico is a major importer of US corn, corn that is primarily genetically engineered with glyphosate use. Dr. Jim Lowe and Kaylee Hillinger talk about what that means for Mexico, Mexico livestock producers, US grain farmers and livestock producers.After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois orvisit us at online.vetmed.illinois.edu to discover additional learning opportunities!

Dr. Jim Lowe and Kaylee Hillinger set the record straight on the social media claims that cattle are vaccinated with mRNA vaccines. Does this new frenzy of misinformation have any impact on cattle producers?After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois orvisit us at online.vetmed.illinois.edu to discover additional learning opportunities

Foreign animal disease preparedness is a top priority for anyone in the livestock industry and for the organizations that support them. Kaylee Hillinger and Dr. Jim Lowe have African Swine Fever on their minds, but expand the conversation to other foreign animal diseases. Are we ready and what's the plan? After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois orvisit us at online.vetmed.illinois.edu to discover additional learning opportunities

The US has not become infected with African Swine Fever, why? In order to understand this, Dr. Jim Lowe educates us on the African Swine Fever virus, transmission and systems in place to prevent ASF infection in the US. As we learn from Jim, the answer to this question isn't very simple.After the podcast, connect with us on LinkedIn by following: The Round Barn at Illinois or visit us at online.vetmed.illinois.edu to discover additional learning opportunities

Acceptance into veterinary school is highly competitive. The College of Veterinary Medicine recently launched our Certificate in Veterinary Science to help students on their journey to veterinary school. Join Dr. Brian Aldridge and Crystal Zulauf as they discuss the certificate program and how it was designed to benefit students.

What is impacting the record high price of turkeys in the United States? In order to answer this question, you must understand the implications of avian influenza, gas prices, holiday dinners, and customer needs. Dr. Jim Lowe answers all these questions as he breaks down the supply chain from egg to turkey dinner in this episode of The Round Barn Podcast.

The prices of gasoline, diesel fuel, and groceries have been astronomical recently. Dr. Jim Lowe is joined by Crystal Zulauf in this episode of The Round Barn where they reveal how the sticky cost of transportation affects the amount we pay at the register.

The cull sow market in the United States has a surveillance problem. Drs. Lowe and Mitek are joined by Dr. Ben Blair to discuss his investigation into the cull sow marketing channel. Join them as they reveal the devastating implications of an ASF outbreak in cull sows and how it could affect the swine industry as a whole.

Egg prices are the highest they have been since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in April, 2020. Learn how migratory water fowl have started circulating the H5N1 virus in commercial chicken flocks resulting in high egg prices. Join Drs. Jim Lowe and Ashley Mitek as they discuss the cause and effect of a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak.

Guest host Dr. Suzanna Storms talks about her and Dr. Lowe's research detecting COVID in meat packing plants in the first year of the pandemic. Learn more about their process, and what the data they collected suggests about COVID transmission.

Ukraine is one of the world's top producers of wheat, and the war is going to have ripple effects all over the world. In this week's episode of The Round Barn podcast, Drs. Ashley Mitek and Jim Lowe talk about the tangled web of the international commodities market – how the grain shortage will affect farmers and livestock producers, how this will squeeze consumers even more, and what might happen next with commodity prices.

A man received a pig's heart. What does that mean for the future of medicine? Dr. Jim Lowe explains how this was made possible with current technology and discusses with Dr. Ashley Mitek the future medical and ethical implications of genetically altering animals in this recent episode of the Round Barn podcast.

If you've been in a U.S. grocery store lately, you've probably noticed your grocery bill has increased significantly. “Food supply is an incredibly complicated logistical process,” states Dr. Jim Lowe as he unpacks how the food supply chain, supply and demand, and changes in our behavior are affecting retail prices. If you want to know why you can't find bacon at the grocery store or what you can expect regarding meat prices, check out this episode of the Round Barn podcast.

In this week's episode of The Round Barn podcast, Dr. Ashley Mitek and Dr. Jim Lowe talk about the Omicron variant, and what it could mean for COVID and humans going forward. Dr. Lowe digs into his animal infectious disease background to explain why this virus keeps mutating; why vaccines for it might need semi-annual boosters, instead of being good for years or decades like other vaccines; and what it means that COVID is now endemic in the population. Tune in to learn more.

“Uncured is a fascinating word on food labels as there is no legal definition or clarity around what it means” Dr. Lowe states as he explains to Dr. Ashley Mitek the truth behind misleading food labels in this recent episode of the Round Barn podcast. Dr. Lowe shares the different processes of meat curing.

Rabies is a horrible viral disease that affects the neurological system. Through the help of the legally required canine rabies vaccine in the US, cases of humans infected with rabies is lower than other parts of the world. African Swine Fever (ASF) is the world's oldest virus which is deadly for pigs and can be transmitted by dogs. Dogs can't become sick with ASF, but they can shed the virus after consuming infected pork. Dr. Lowe and Dr. Mitek break down infectious disease management and how ASF, rabies, and imported dogs are all interconnected in this episode of the Round Barn podcast.

African Swine Fever is a borderless problem in the swine industry. Dr. Lowe explains the transmission, impact, and lifecycle of ASF as the U.S. swine industry faces increased risk of exposure in this episode of the Round Barn. Listen in as he answers Dr. Mitek's questions regarding if humans can get ASF, how to eradicate the disease and at what costs to a culture.

Join Dr. Jim Lowe and Dr. Ashley Mitek as they break down what R naught is, how it is calculated, and what it tells us about COVID-19, the Delta variant, and all infectious diseases.

  Dr. Ashley Mitek and Dr. Jim Lowe from the University of Illinois discuss using ivermectin to treat COVID-19. They talk about past professors at the veterinary school, Dr. Al Paul and Dr. Joe DiPietro, and their groundbreaking research on the drug decades ago. Ashley and Jim provide background information on dangers associated with Ivermectin and how one of their misguided perspectives while in veterinary school could have been fatal.

Where do livestock veterinarians go to build skills, deepen their understanding of the industry and network with colleagues? Dr. Dan Thomson from Iowa State University and Dr. Jim Lowe from the University of Illinois discuss the Executive Veterinary Program (EVP) at Illinois. After the podcast visit evp.illinois.edu to learn more.

  How do veterinary anesthesiologists weigh the options to treat hypotension in the operating room? Dr. Graeme Doodnaugt, a board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist and pain management specialist here at the University of Illinois veterinary teaching hospital, details the treatment process.

Feeder calves can be sourced from multiple farms when they arrive at a feedlot. What health challenges can calves face when they're mixed? Dr. Jim Lowe, a livestock veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and Director of the i-Learning Center answers that question and more.

  Hippos consume up to 90 pounds of food each day. But what do you do when they stop eating? Dr. Jennifer Langan, board certified specialist in zoological medicine at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and a senior staff veterinarian at Brookfield Zoo details the diagnosis and treatment of Obesa, a 600-pound pygmy hippo.

What unique challenges does an emergency room veterinarian face to treat an abandoned dog rescued from a lake? Dr. Jenica Haraschak, board certified emergency medicine and critical care specialist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital discusses her approach to this trauma case that attracted national attention.

When the zoo calls with a coughing Malayan tiger, is the cause a common respiratory tract infection or something more? Dr. Karen Terio, chief of the Zoo Pathology Program, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois discusses how she helped to untangle this problem to reach a diagnosis.

How is food safety regulated in the United States? Jim Lowe and Ashley Mitek from the University of Illinois discuss the regulatory roles played by the USDA and FDA, as well as new rules to deregulate pork inspection. Looking for livestock management training?  Visit online.vetmed.illinois.edu

The meat packing industry hasn't been spared from the coronavirus pandemic. Smithfield Foods, Cargill, Tysons Foods, and JBS USA have all closed plants due to COVID-19 outbreaks. Brian Aldridge and Jim Lowe from the University of Illinois discuss why these outbreaks are occurring and what these plant closures mean for U.S. food production. Want to learn more from these experts?  Visit online.vetmed.illinois.edu to see what's available.

Has the COVID-19 epidemic endangered the U.S. food supply, or are our supply chain systems simply adapting to a new reality? Agribusiness and food production expert, Dan Thomson from Iowa State University tackles these questions with Jim Lowe from the University of Illinois to break down the effects the pandemic has had on the industry. Want to learn more from these experts?  Visit online.vetmed.illinois.edu to see what's available.

In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S., colleges and universities are rushing to move instruction online. Jim Lowe and Ashley Mitek from the University of Illinois tackle the ins and outs of online learning. Looking for livestock management training?  Visit online.vetmed.illinois.edu

Amid the suspension of face-to-face classes at colleges, and the cancellation of conferences, music and sporting events, Jim Lowe and Ashley Mitek from the University of Illinois discuss measures taken to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Looking for livestock management training?  Visit online.vetmed.illinois.edu

Researchers believe the coronavirus spread from animals to people, but how does that happen?  Jim Lowe and Ashley Mitek from the University of Illinois discuss zoonotic transmission, the coronavirus, and how government health organizations are responding to the outbreak. Recorded 2/27/20.  Transcript available here: https://bit.ly/39nYtwn Looking for livestock management training?  Visit online.vetmed.illinois.edu

Does the world need another podcast? That's debatable, but we're doing it anyway. Join Jim Lowe and Brian Aldridge from the University of Illinois as they tackle issues that affect the livestock production industry every day. Want to join in the conversation? Contact us at online.vetmed.illinois.edu