BROOKINGS, S.D. — Registration is open for the 2026-2027 educational SowBridge webinar series, which starts on Feb. 4, 2026.
The monthly webinar series provides timely information about sow production from the nation’s leading industry experts. Provided online via Zoom, the series is geared for those who work with sows, boars and piglets, and other industry professionals who work with genetic and reproductive issues.
Sessions generally are held on the first Wednesday of the month and run from 11:15 a.m. to about 12:15 p.m. CST. The fifth session is moved up one week to May 27, 2026, to avoid conflicts with World Pork Expo.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link and is $200 for the first registration and $100 for each subsequent registration from the same entity. To register, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “sow”.
During each session, participants can ask questions of the industry expert presenter from the comfort of their home, office or swine unit. Suggestions from participants guide the selection of future topics and speakers.
This year’s dates and topics are as follows:
- Feb. 4, 2026 – The role of specialized people in reducing sow mortality
- March 4 – New World Screwworm and what to look for
- April 1 – Managing large litters
- May 6 – When to process piglets in relation to survival
- May 27 – Gilt feeding strategies to enhance longevity and productivity
- July 1 – Water quality, biofilms and water line management
- Aug. 5 – What are cull sow buyers looking for?
- Sept 2 – On-farm semen management – tips and tricks
- Oct. 7 – The latest porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome research
- Nov. 4 – Fixed time artificial insemination in gilts
- Dec. 2 – Satisfaction and stress factors on barn employees
- Jan. 6, 2027 – Anemia: impact on sow removal
SowBridge is provided through a cooperative effort of 15 colleges and universities from the nation’s major swine producing states, including SDSU, and coordinated through the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University.
For more information, contact Rafe Royall, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Swine Specialist.
