How were the pigs selected for this project?
The Iowa breeder we chose has more than 20 years of experience raising registered Duroc pigs – with a pedigree of superior function, performance and meat quality traits.
In what conditions will the pigs be raised?
The pigs will be raised, fed and cared for in an open pen setting on a family farming facility in Woodward, Iowa.
Who will be caring for the pigs?
The pigs will be cared for by Dr. Nick Berry and his "partner-in-swine" Tye. Dr. Berry holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science from Iowa State University and works in the swine industry. He is an experienced pig farmer, Templeton Rye enthusiast and self-described "boring dude." (We beg to differ on that last part.)
What makes pigs' diet special?
The pigs' diet was specially formulated to best utilize the spent grain by-product from the production of Templeton Rye whiskey.
Who developed the pigs' diet?
Dr. Mark Bertram – who holds a doctoral degree in Swine Nutrition from Iowa State University – analyzed the feed sample and developed a weekly diet regimen for the pigs.
What makes Dr. Bertram uniquely suited for this project?
Dr. Bertram was born and raised on a small mixed farming operation in Kentucky. He received his undergraduate degree in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky in 1989, M.S. in Animal Nutrition from North Carolina State University in 1991, and Ph.D. in Swine Nutrition from Iowa State University in 1995.
Dr. Bertram has worked in the feed industry as a Technical Service Nutritionist with Continental Grain and ADM Animal Health and Nutrition – and as the director of Nutrition for Pork Technologies, TriOak Foods and M2P2 LLC. At one point, he was responsible for research and development, nutritional services, and production monitoring for as many as 85,000 sows farrow-to-finish.
In September 2007, he and a partner established First Choice Livestock. The company works with pork producers to provide nutritional services and products based on sound science and nutritional principles.
Most importantly, Dr. Bertram is a big fan of Templeton Rye.
