The sixth year of SowBridge, the long-distance educational program, starts Feb. 5, 2014. Participants should register by Jan. 15, 2014.

“The SowBridge program is for people involved in managing or caring for boars, sows, and/or their litters, including allied industry personnel, providing access to timely, relevant and accurate information regarding some of the major challenges facing the industry today,” says Sarah Schieck, University of Minnesota swine Extension educator. “Participants have found the program to be very convenient, affordable and worthwhile,” she says.

Twelve sessions are held monthly throughout the year. All sessions start at 11:30 a.m. central standard time and last for 45 minutes, which includes time for questions.

Participation is by subscription only. Cost is $250 for the first registration and $125 for each subsequent registration from the same party. Registration provides access to one phone line per monthly session and all program materials for each session.

Prior to each session, participants receive a CD containing the session’s presentations, along with information to call a toll-free conference line to listen to and interact with presenters.

To obtain a brochure containing program topics and registration information, visit the Swine Extension website at www.extension.umn.edu/swine. For a sampling of previous SowBridge programs, visit www.ipic.iastate.edu/sowbridge.html.

SowBridge is sponsored by 11 state universities. Sarah Schieck and Lee Johnston of the University of Minnesota Extension serve as program coordinators. Iowa Pork Industry Center coordinates all registration and subscriber mailings.