SowBridge Offers Producers Convenient Learning Opportunity
By Pork news staff
| Wednesday, November 11, 2009
SowBridge, the successful distance education program for pork producers, begins its third year in January. People involved in managing or caring for boars, sows, and/or their litters should consider enrolling. This includes owners, employees, technicians, managers, and technical service providers.
The series is designed to improve the understanding and application of various tools and techniques involved in daily care of the breeding herd and piglets. If you work in or with breeding and gestation units, gilt development systems, or farrowing barns, this program is for you.
The program receives great reviews from a wide range of participants according to Duane Reese, University of Nebraska Extension swine specialist. "SowBridge provides all participants with the opportunity not only to hear directly from experts, but to contact those experts following the individual sessions."
"People from 13 states, four Canadian provinces and Ireland took part in the past year's program,” said Reese. "With the live phone presentation and slide show viewed on computer, participants do not need Internet access and can take part from anywhere."
Before each session, subscribers receive a CD containing that session's presentation, along with information on accessing the live speaker presentation. Most participants will call a toll-free conference line to listen to and interact with presenters.
Each subscription costs $250 which provides access to one phone line per session and all program materials. Each session begins at 11:30 a.m. Central and lasts for approximately 45 minutes.
Reese said the year-long program is offered by subscription only with a Dec. 1 deadline to ensure participants will receive materials for the first session on Jan. 6.
Read a brochure with information and a registration form. For more information, call Reese at (402) 472-6425.
SowBridge is sponsored by a group of 11 state universities with Mark Whitney and Lee Johnston of the University of Minnesota serving as program coordinators. The program is coordinated through Iowa State University.
Source: University of Nebraska
