Both programmes combine electronic information viewed on a computer with live presentations delivered by teleconference from topic experts. Subscribers receive a CD or web link (depending on their location) containing the topic’s specific presentation and additional information. Participants call in for the audio portion of each session and follow along with the presentation on their computer.

The difference in the two programmes is the audience they are aimed at.

PorkBridge is for people involved with grow-finish swine operations. Six sessions are offered every other month throughout the year. All sessions start at noon Central Time and last approximately 90 minutes, which includes time for questions. Cost is $125 for the series, covering supporting materials and one phone line per session.

PorkBridge session dates, topics, speakers and their industry affiliation are as follows:

• 6 February 2014 – "Optimizing Feed Efficiency to Maximize Your Bottom Line" by Joel DeRouchey, Kansas State University
• 3 April 2014 – "Are You Smarter Than Your Barn Controller?" by Mike Brumm, Brumm Consulting
• 4 June 2014 – "Importance of Educating Others About Pork Production" by Jon Hoek Belstra Milling Company Inc.
• 7 August 2014 – "Getting the Right Pigs to Market" by Brandon Fields, Genus PIC
• 2 October 2014 – "Biosecurity – Keep Diseases From Transporting Onto The Farm" by Matt Ackerman, Swine Veterinary Services, Greensburg, IN
• 4 December 2014 – "On-Farm Necropsies – Who, What, Where, When, and Why?" by Locke Karriker, Iowa State University.

SowBridge is for people involved with managing or caring for boars, sows, and/or litters. Twelve monthly sessions take place throughout the year. All sessions start at 11:30 a.m. Central Time and last for 45 minutes, which includes time for questions. Cost is $250 for the first registration from an entity and $125 for each subsequent subscription from the same entity. Cost includes supporting materials and phone line access.

SowBridge session dates, topics, speakers and their industry affiliation are as follows:

• 5 February 2014 – "Managing Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV)" by Butch Baker, Iowa State University
• 5 March 2014 – "Determining When to Cull Sows" by Mark Knauer, North Carolina State University
• 2 April 2014 – "Pain Management for Sows" by Monique Pairis-Garcia, Iowa State University
• 7 May 2014 – "Are You Prepared for a Third Party Audit?" by Amber Stricker, Suidae Health and Production
• 4 June 2014 – "Importance of Educating Others About Pork Production" by Jon Hoek, Belstra Milling Company Inc.
• 2 July 2014 – Practices to Avoid Antibiotic Residue in Cull Sows" by Carissa Odland, Pipestone Veterinary Clinic
• 6 August 2014 – " Advocating Worker Safety on Farms" by Sheila Schmid, Schwartz Farms
• 3 September 2014 – "Practices to Reduce Reliance on Antibiotics" by Jim McKean, Iowa State University
• 1 October 2014 – "Making Fixed-Time AI Work" by Tim Safranski, University of Missouri
• 5 November 2014 – "Inducing Sows to Farrow: Pros and Cons" by Rob English, The Maschhoffs
• 3 December 2014 – "Feeding and Management of Sows in Pens" by Lee Johnston, University of Minnesota
• 7 January 2015 – "Gilt Development" by Billy Flowers, North Carolina State University

Deadline to register is 15 January 2014 for both PorkBridge and SowBridge. Registration brochures can be found on the Swine Extension website.

PorkBridge and SowBridge are sponsored by a group of 11 universities with Lee Johnston, Sarah Schieck, and Mark Whitney of the University of Minnesota Extension serving as programme coordinators. Iowa Pork Industry Center coordinates all registration and subscriber mailings.