By Scout Nelson
According to SDSU Extension, registration is now open for the 2026–2027 SowBridge educational webinar series, which begins on February 4, 2026.
SowBridge is a monthly online education program designed to share practical and research-based information on sow production. The webinars are delivered through Zoom and are intended for people who work with sows, boars, piglets, and other professionals involved in swine genetics and reproduction.
The sessions are usually held on the first Wednesday of each month. Each webinar runs from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Central Standard Time. One session is scheduled earlier than usual on May 27, 2026, to avoid conflicts with the World Pork Expo.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom access link. The cost is $200 for the first registration and $100 for each additional registration from the same organization. Interested participants can register through the SDSU Extension Events page by searching for “sow.”
A key benefit of the SowBridge series is interaction with experts. During each session, participants can ask questions directly to the speaker from their home, office, or swine facility. Feedback from attendees also helps shape future topics and speaker selections, making the series practical and responsive to industry needs.
The 2026–2027 topics cover a wide range of important swine production issues. Sessions include reducing sow mortality, managing large litters, piglet processing timing, gilt feeding strategies, water quality management, and cull sow marketing. Other topics address biosecurity threats, semen management, reproductive research updates, employee stress, and health concerns that affect sow longevity.
SowBridge is offered through a cooperative effort involving 15 colleges and universities from major swine producing states. South Dakota State University is one of the participating institutions. The program is coordinated by the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University.
The series supports ongoing education for swine professionals by sharing current research and real-world solutions. For more details about the program, interested individuals can contact rafe.royall@sdstate.edu, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Swine Specialist.
Photo Credit: istock-srdjan-stepic
Categories: South Dakota, Livestock, Hogs