Dr. DeDecker received her Ph.D. in swine well-being at the University of Illinois in 2011 and then started her career with Smithfield Foods.

Currently Senior Director of Research and Extension for Smithfield Hog Production, Dr. DeDecker oversees applied research in all disciplines of swine production with the goal to identify cost effective solutions that can be implemented at the farm level using Extension services and outreach.

• Why most transport losses happen before the pigs even leave the farm.
• The barn and site design factors that make loading easier and safer for pigs.
• Simple, low-cost changes that can reduce pig stress and improve loading efficiency.
• How driver handling and truck setup play a role in transport losses.
• Ashley’s “golden nugget”