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Does Your Farm Team Need to Refocus or Reset?

Building a high-functioning team isn’t just a nice thing to do, experts say there is a strong business case to do it. Companies that cultivate strong, collaborative teams consistently outperform their competitors, driving innovation, engagement and results, according to the FranklinCovey Blog.

Studies have shown that high-performing teams are significantly more productive and creative than ineffective teams, making more-informed decisions and saving more time while producing better results. High-functioning teams also see higher employee engagement and job satisfaction, reducing turnover by 50%.

Joel DeRouchey, professor swine nutrition and state Extension leader at Kansas State University, says building a high-functioning ‘team’ is one of the most important things you can do to achieve success, whether it’s your team at work, a volunteer committee, or even your family. Though the size and dynamics of each of those teams varies greatly, what makes them high functioning doesn’t.

Shared Purpose
As an educator, DeRouchey has had the opportunity to be a part of many teams and see a lot of teams in action. From his perspective, teams must constantly evaluate if they need to refocus, recharge or reset. That starts with asking yourself some questions, he says.

“Are you engaged? Are you with people who truly believe in the purpose of the team?” DeRouchey asks.

He says high-functioning teams share the same goals.

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Seaweed-Based Solutions: Building Natural Performance in Modern Swine Production

Video: Seaweed-Based Solutions: Building Natural Performance in Modern Swine Production

In today’s pork industry, producers are under increasing pressure to do more with fewer inputs—while maintaining performance, improving animal health, and meeting sustainability expectations.

we sit down with Sylvain David and Scott Preston from Olmix to explore how seaweed-based solutions are emerging as a foundational tool in modern swine nutrition.

Rather than acting as simple alternatives, these solutions are designed to support gut health, immune resilience, and overall system consistency—especially during key stress periods like weaning, feed transitions, and disease challenges.

The conversation dives into:

• What seaweed-based solutions actually are and how they work

• Why consistency and standardization matter in “natural” products

• How gut health connects to immune function and performance

• Where producers are seeing real-world impact today

• The role of natural solutions in the future of sustainable pork production