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Registration now open for SowBridge educational series

Registration is now open for an educational series offered by 15 colleges and universities from the nation’s major swine-producing states.

Officials at Kansas State University are encouraging swine producers to sign up for SowBridge, which begins its next program year in February. The distance educational series is for those who work with sows, boars, and piglets.

The series is provided online through Zoom and each session is recorded for later viewing.

“SowBridge provides all participants with the opportunity to hear directly from experts, and to contact those experts following the individual sessions,” said Joel DeRouchey, a swine specialist with K-State Research and Extension.

Sessions generally are hosted on the first Wednesday of the month and run from 11:15 a.m. to about 12:15 p.m. Central time. DeRouchey notes one exception this year is that the fifth session is moved up one week to May 28 to avoid conflicts with World Pork Expo.

During each session, participants can ask questions of the industry expert presenter from the comfort of their home, office or swine unit. Each registration provides access to one Zoom connection per session and all program materials provided by presenters.

The cost is $200 for the first registration, and half that amount for each subsequent registration from the same entity.

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FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.