Meet Shannon Dierking, our latest addition to Farm Journal’s PORK’s Up & Coming Leaders feature. We are showcasing some of the fresh, new voices of the pork industry who combine innovative thought and work ethic with scientific savvy and a passion to make a difference.
Age: 27
Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; master’s degree, University of Kentucky; pursuing PhD in gilt reproductive physiology and nutrition at South Dakota State University
Hometown: Cook, Nebraska
Q. How did you become interested in pursuing a career in the swine industry?
A. I’ve been involved in agriculture my whole life, my family had a small farrow-to-finish operation, and my father still raises corn and soybeans. My father had me assist with piglet processing in our farrowing room and I fell in love with all aspects of pork production. I wanted to be a swine veterinarian, however, organic chemistry intervened. I realized I would better serve the swine industry through different avenues, which brought me to where I am today.
Q. Did you have any internship experiences?
A. During my freshman and sophomore summers, I worked for a vet clinic near my hometown and continued to be exposed to agriculture of all types.
Q. What has helped you gain swine industry experience?
A. While working on the family farm, my father continued to involve me in all aspects of production from mixing feed to breeding and selling of our market hogs. This played a pivotal role in building my character and work ethic.
Q. Tell us about your current research.
A. I am studying biological markers to detect early estrus in pre-pubertal gilts. The reproductive success of breeding females is a critical aspect in the overall productivity of pork production systems. Unfortunately, a large portion of breeding females are removed from herds due to reproductive failure, and replacement gilts are brought into the herd. Roughly 20% of gilts that are intended for replacement stock never attain puberty. Currently, the only known predictor of reproductive success in swine breeding herds is age at puberty. Early puberty is associated with improved long-term reproductive performance and more full-value offspring at market. The ability to “weed out” the gilts determined to have low likelihood of reproductive success at an age and weight where they could instead be finished out for market has the potential to not only save considerable time and effort of barn production staff but can also dramatically reduce overall gilt replacement costs.
Q. What is your generation’s greatest challenge?
A. It is hard to identify just one challenge as the biggest. But, if I must, it would be the public’s perception of the industry. I participate in virtual farm tours through Operation Main Street, a program that provides a live look into a working swine barn (we utilize the farrowing rooms here at SDSU). Providing producers the opportunity to be more transparent about what happens on the farm will allow us to educate those that may not know much about the swine industry. Being “agvocates” means being able to answer the tough questions, while allowing our passion for the industry, and the pigs, to speak volumes.
More from Farm Journal’s PORK:
Research Could Help Identify Infertility in Breeding Hogs Earlier
Technology Can Improve Farrowing Rates, Offset Labor Shortage
Han Explores How Computer Algorithms Can Improve Swine Production
Maternal Nutrition Strategies Can Decrease Piglet Mortality, Martinez Says
