Shofner Uses Artificial Intelligence to Ensure Boar Semen Quality
Meet Ian Shofner, 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: 23
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Iowa State University’ Pursuing master’s degree, Iowa State University.
Hometown: Weyauwega, Wisc.
Q. How did you become interested in pursuing a career in the swine industry?
A. My dad is a dairy veterinarian and raised me with a strong emphasis on the importance of agriculture. I grew to love the swine industry through involvement in showing pigs and though swine industry internships.
Q. Describe any internship experiences you’ve had.
A. I had an undergraduate research internship with The Maschhoffs working in their various research farms. This gave me a broader perspective of how swine research can impact production in very real and meaningful ways.
Q. Describe any undergraduate research experiences you’ve had.
A. Back at Iowa State University, I started working in Dr. Karl Kerns’ lab working with male reproductive physiology. This helped tie together my understanding of academic research and its role in production and increasing global food security.
Q. Describe any other swine-related experiences you’ve had.
A. I grew up showing pigs in Wisconsin. I started at the county level and grew to the state, then the national level. Through this, I was introduced to commercial swine production and how I could have a career in it.
Q. Tell us about your current research.
A. I am currently working on next-generation boar sperm analysis, addressing the current shortcomings in sperm quality assessment. This endeavor is crucial as subpar analysis can lead to the use of inferior boar semen, adversely affecting reproductive efficacy and litter size. My work integrates artificial intelligence (AI) to discern micro-morphological variations in sperm cells. The aim is to develop a sophisticated, label-free semen analysis software, enhancing the capabilities of boar studs to conduct high throughput semen evaluations and ensure superior semen quality management.
Q. What is your generation’s greatest challenge?
A. I believe the greatest challenge for my generation will be, as with those before us, sustainability. In an era of expanding populations, it's imperative to increase pork production while reducing inputs such as labor, water, energy and feed. This sustainable approach is crucial to balance the demands of a growing global populace with the finite resources of our planet.
Editor’s Note: Shofner is part of the National Pork Board’s Pork Scholars Program, intended to develop highly trained professionals who are dedicated to a career in the U.S. swine industry. The program includes a research component with a cooperating university, a practical on-farm experience with an industry cooperator and cross-training across more than one academic discipline (i.e. genetics and data science).
Read More:
A Quest to Improve Profitability for U.S. Pig Farmers
How One Student is Using Image Analysis to Increase the Genetic Potential of Pigs
