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SowBridge, the distance educational series for those who work with sows, boars and piglets, and with genetic and reproductive issues, begins its next program year in February, and registration is now underway. This low-tech opportunity pairs electronically provided materials with live presentations via teleconference.
“SowBridge provides all participants with the opportunity to hear directly from experts, and to contact those experts following the individual sessions,” said Ken Stalder, Iowa State University animal science professor and extension swine specialist.
Registration cost is $200 ($U.S.) for the first registration from an entity, and each subsequent registration from the same entity is half that amount.
“With the live phone presentation and slideshow available on their computer or other device, participants can take part from anywhere without needing internet access,” Stalder said.
The distance learning approach allows people to take part without having to travel, take time from work or worry about weather conditions. During each session, participants can ask questions of the industry expert presenter and discuss with other participants from the comfort of their home, office or swine unit.
Before each session, participants receive a link to download the presentation and any additional information provided by the presenter. Participants call in for the audio portion of each session to listen to the presenter and while following the presentation file on their own computer or device. Sessions begin at 11:30 a.m. Central Time and last no more than an hour.
Those with questions on the program or registration should contact Sherry Hoyer at Iowa Pork Industry Center for more information by phone at 515-294-4496 or email shoyer@iastate.edu.
To provide a look at the content of SowBridge sessions, the following example video was created using the presentation material and audio recording from a 2017 session where speaker Corinne Bromfield presented, “Identifying Scours.”
The year-long program is offered by registration only with a Jan. 15, 2020, deadline to ensure participants will receive materials for the first session on Feb. 5. A brochure with information and a registration form is available on the IPIC website.
2020 session dates, topics, speakers and their industry affiliations are as follows:
- Feb. 5, African Swine Fever and Secure Pork Supply, Pam Zaabel, Iowa State University
- March 4, What You Need to Know About Foreign Animal Diseases, Justin Brown, Iowa State University; and Chelsea Hamilton, IDALS and ISU
- April 1, Feeding Strategies for Pre-farrow Females on Piglet Survivability, Kiah Gourley and Jason Woodworth, Kansas State University
- May 6, Impact of Drying Newborn Piglets, Mike Ellis, University of Illinois
- May 27, Porcine Circovirus type 3: What We Know, Albert Rovira, University of Minnesota
- July 1, Capturing Value of Cull Sows, Ken Stalder, Iowa State University
- Aug. 5, Maintenance of Euthanasia Equipment, Steve Moeller, The Ohio State University
- Sept. 2, Gestation/Lactation Ventilation Do’s and Don’ts, Erin Cortus, University of Minnesota
- Oct. 7, Proper Disinfectant Application, Jose Ramirez, Virox Animal Health
- Nov. 4, Induction Protocol Updates, Rob Knox, University of Illinois
- Dec. 2, Upcoming Technology in Pork Production, Andy Brudtkuhl, National Pork Board
- Jan. 6, 2021 Electronic Sow Feeding Management Tips and Tricks, Tom Parsons, University of Pennsylvania
SowBridge is sponsored by a group of 11 universities – including Iowa State – from the nation’s major swine producing states.
January 3, 2020 - Iowa State University
