AMES, Iowa -- Pork production operation owners, managers and employees are invited to participate in the remainder of the PorkBridge educational series at a reduced price.

PorkBridge focuses on providing timely, relevant and accurate information on specific topics to people who own or work in swine grow-finish facilities, according to Iowa State University (ISU) animal science associate professor Ken Stalder. The four remaining topics are purposes for bleeding multiple pigs for serology tests, knowledge gained from out-of-fee events, the effects of corn and ethanol on pig profits and ways to improve the odor associated with pork production.

“We know that producers in the Midwest want this type of information and this program helps us deliver it literally to their door step,” he said. “People can subscribe now for the remaining four sessions at the reduced price of $100.”

The program runs on an every-other-month basis, with the next session date of April 5. To ensure receipt of materials in time for that session, new subscriptions must be received no later than March 26. People can download the brochure on the Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) Web site at www.ipic.iastate.edu/PorkBridge/2006brochure.pdf  and either send a check for $100 or complete the credit card information. Your card will be charged $100.

PorkBridge combines electronic information viewed on computer with live oral presentations via phone by experts in the topic areas. The week before each session, subscribers will receive a CD containing that session’s topic-specific presentation and information on accessing the live speaker presentation. Each session is one and a half hours in length, beginning either at noon or 7 p.m. IPIC coordinates all program details, including registration and mailings.

Iowa residents who want more information can call Stalder at (800) 808-7675.

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