2020 PorkBridge educational series
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EmailUp-to-date information for those who own, manage, or work in swine grow-finish facilities.
Since 2005, PorkBridge has provided relevant and timely information to grow-finish swine producers and other industry professionals across the U.S. and around the world through a unique low-tech delivery method. The 2020 program year series began Feb. 6 and continues on an every-other-month basis for six total sessions. There is still time to catch all sessions and pro-rates are available to late subscribers.
PorkBridge provides an interactive teleconference with electronic materials and live presentations. About a week before each session, subscribers will receive a web link to download the session’s presentation and any additional information provided by the presenter. Participants call in for the audio portion of each session and follow along with their own copy of the presentation on their computer or other device. Learning can take part at home, in an office, or in the swine unit - wherever it works best. And everyone can listen later to the audio recorded of each live session.
An example video featuring information from a 2017 PorkBridge session provides an opportunity to see the content and format of this delivery method. Speaker Dale Ricker presents “Sights, Sounds and Smells of a Normal Finisher Barn” in the example.
Sessions are scheduled for the first Thursday of each designated month but occasionally are moved a week to avoid interference with national industry events or holidays. Each session begins at 11:30 a.m. CDT, 12:30 p.m. EDT and lasts approximately 45 minutes.
The price of $100 for the entire series will be pro-rated for late subscribers and as in the past, each subsequent registration from the same entity is half that amount. Each registration provides access to one phone line per session and all program materials for each registration, including audio recordings of the live session. Program costs are slightly different for those with non U.S. mailing addresses.
Upcoming session dates, speakers and their industry affiliations, and topics are as follows:
- Feb. 6 – Pam Zaabel, Iowa State University; “African Swine Fever and Secure Pork Supply” (recorded)
- April 2 – Steve Moeller, The Ohio State University; “Maintenance of Euthanasia Equipment” (recorded)
- May 28 – Matt Ritter, Provimi US; “COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Essential Swine Industry Employees”
- Aug. 6 – Yuzhi Li, University of Minnesota; “Tail, Ear and Flank Biting: Reasons Why and How to Address”
- Oct. 1 – Jose Ramirez, Viroz Animal Health; “Proper Application of Disinfectants”
- Dec. 3 – Andy Brudtkuhl, National Pork Board; “Precision Technologies for Commercial Swine Production”
Anyone with questions should contact Sherry Hoyer, Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State by phone (515) 294-4496 or email shoyer@iastate.edu.
For program brochure details and registration, or for additional web-based information about pork production, visit Michigan State University Extension, Pork Working Group or contact Dave Thompson, swine management educator at (269) 832-8403, email thom1637@msu.edu.
