Dr. Ilaria Minussi: Amino Acids And Pig Behavior | Ep. 213

Dr. Ilaria Minussi: Amino Acids And Pig Behavior | Ep. 213

Author: Wisenetix March 5, 2026 Duration: 11:21
In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Ilaria Minussi, postdoctoral research associate at Texas A&M University, explains how low protein diets influence pig behavior and performance. She discusses amino acid deficiencies, tail biting risk, and how pigs adjust feed intake when nutritional needs are unmet. Dr. Minussi highlights welfare, environmental impact, and practical formulation challenges for modern swine systems. Discover actionable insight for nutrition professionals. Listen now on all major platforms! “When low crude protein diets are also deficient in amino acids, pigs reduce feed intake and increase foraging behavior to compensate for missing nutrients.” Meet the guest: Dr. Ilaria Minussi https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilaria-minussi-a349a5170/ is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Texas A&M University, working within the Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity. She earned her PhD at Wageningen University and Research, focusing on animal nutrition and adaptation physiology. Her work explores how amino acid supply influences pig behavior, welfare, and performance in commercial systems. Click here to read the full research articles: Amino acid supplementation counteracts negative effects of low protein diets on tail biting in pigs more than extra environmental enrichment - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45704-0 Pigs Can Detect Multiple Amino Acid Deficiencies in a Choice Feeding Setting - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.10.024 Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+swine+nutrition+blackbelt+podcast What you will learn: (00:00) Highlight (00:55) Introduction (02:08) Low protein diets (03:58) Feeding behavior (06:11) Choice feeding (07:21) Functional needs (08:25) Sanitary effects (10:23) Final Questions The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: * Fortiva (https://fortivaimpact.com) * Kemin (https://www.kemin.com/na/en-us/markets/animal/swine) - DietForge (https://dietforge.ai/) 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: https://swinenutritionblackbelt.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swinecampus/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swinecampus/

For swine nutritionists, the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming, and finding truly actionable insights is a constant challenge. The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, presented by Wisenetix, cuts through the noise by delivering concentrated wisdom from leading global experts. Each episode is designed to fit into a busy schedule, offering a focused, nine-minute dive into a specific topic that's actually working in the field today. You'll hear directly from researchers and practitioners at the forefront of the industry, discussing practical applications, emerging research, and nutritional strategies without the fluff. This isn't about theoretical deep dives; it's about what you can apply right now. The conversations are candid and geared toward professionals who need to stay current but are pressed for time. Tuning into this science-focused podcast means gaining a regular dose of peer-level insight, transforming a short commute or break into a genuine professional development session. It’s built for those who believe expertise should be accessible and efficient, providing a consistent stream of knowledge to help refine your approach and decision-making in swine nutrition.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Dr. R. Dean Boyd: Soybean Meal Net Energy - Part 1 | Ep. 178 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:49
In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. R. Dean Boyd explores the principles behind soybean meal net energy in swine diets. He explains why traditional book values may underestimate their actual ene…
Dr. Andrew Yersin: Probiotics vs Antibiotics | Ep. 176 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:19
In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Andrew Yersin from Kemin Industries discusses the key differences between antibiotics and probiotics in swine health management. He explains the practical con…
Dr. Marco de Mik: Particle Size in Feed | Ep. 175 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:23
In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Marco de Mik, Senior Consultant in Swine Nutrition, shares insights on enhancing gastrointestinal health for a strong start in piglets. He explains why unders…
Dr. Danyel Dalto: Vitamin D & Piglets | Ep. 174 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:24
In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Danyel Dalto, a research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, discusses the impact of different vitamin D supplementation strategies on weanling pig…
Jordyn Studer: Choline Chloride in Pigs and Alternatives | Ep. 173 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:05
In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Jordyn Studer from Barentz explains the importance of choline in swine diets and its three core metabolic functions. She highlights common feed mixing and stabili…
Dr. Benoit St-Pierre: Pig Gut Microbiome | Ep. 172 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:48
In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Benoit St-Pierre from South Dakota State University explores the crucial role of the gut microbiome in livestock production. He discusses how microbial commun…
Dr. Josep Garcia Sirera: Managing Endotoxins in Swine | Ep. 171 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:50
In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Josep Garcia Sirera from Agrimprove breaks down the key differences between mycotoxins and endotoxins, explaining their impact on swine health. He explores th…
Dr. Regiane Santos: Mycotoxins in Swine Feed | Ep. 170 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:14
In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Regiane Santos, Researcher and Innovation Coordinator at Schothorst Feed Research, discusses the complexities of mycotoxin contamination in animal feed. She e…