Swine Health Online Learning Series

By Andi Anderson

Registration is now open for the 2026–2027 SowBridge Educational Series. SowBridge is an online learning program designed for people who work with sows, boars, and piglets. The series begins in early February 2026 and continues through January 2027.

The program is offered through Zoom, and each session is recorded for later viewing. This allows participants to learn at their own pace if they cannot attend live. The series is guided by feedback from past participants, which helps shape topics and select speakers.

Sessions are held on the first Wednesday of each month from 11:15 a.m. to about 12:15 p.m. Central time. One session in May is moved to May 27 to avoid conflicts with major livestock events. During live sessions, participants can ask questions and interact with industry experts.

The program includes a full year of learning. Topics cover important swine production areas such as reducing sow death rates, managing large litters, piglet survival, gilt feeding, water quality, biosecurity, cull sow markets, semen management, disease research, artificial breeding, employee well-being, and anemia in sows.

Each registration provides access to one Zoom connection per session and includes all materials shared by speakers. The cost is $200 for the first registration and half that amount for additional registrations from the same operation.

Registration is due by January 15, 2026. This ensures access to the first session on February 4. Registration forms and details are available on the Iowa Pork Industry Center website.

SowBridge is supported through a partnership of 13 colleges and universities from major swine-producing states. This cooperative effort brings trusted research and practical advice directly to producers.

The SowBridge series supports better herd care, improved productivity, and safer working conditions. It also provides a simple way for swine producers to stay informed on new research and industry practices from home or the workplace.

Photo Credit: istock-srdjan-stepic