The University of Missouri Extension announced on April 15 that it will host a bilingual workshop focused on sow production practices and supporting the state’s diverse pork industry workforce. The event, titled “Show Me Sow Production: Bilingual Workshop,” is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Missouri Pork Association headquarters in Columbia.
The workshop aims to provide practical, research-based information that can be applied directly on commercial sow farms while addressing communication gaps within farm teams. Mag Lopez, field specialist in livestock with MU Extension and organizer of the event, said the program targets managers, supervisors, and TN visa professionals working on Missouri’s sow farms who speak either English or Spanish. A live interpreter will be available for Spanish-speaking participants.
“At the University of Missouri Extension department we are very excited to offer this innovative event and hope there will be many more bilingual workshops in the future,” Lopez said.
Presentations will cover key areas such as feed management, biosecurity, reproduction, piglet health, ventilation and heat stress. Additional sessions include composting practices, mycotoxin prevention and economic aspects of production. Attendees will also receive an overview of show pig industry trends and strategies for managing prolific sows.
Lopez pointed out that “a study conducted in 2025 by MU Extension with Hispanic workers in the pork industry highlighted the importance of bilingual programming.” The findings showed about 80% preferred communicating in Spanish; around 65% rated their English proficiency as basic; nearly half did not receive informational materials in Spanish; and these gaps can lead to challenges if not addressed. “Events like this can also play an important role in improving morale and retention among employees,” Lopez said.
Missouri is recognized as a major hub for pork production nationally with over 415,000 breeding sows according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service data cited during planning discussions. This makes training events particularly significant for sustaining workforce development across the state’s central-north and central-west districts.
University of Missouri Extension supports community well-being through initiatives promoting healthy environments, youth growth, family strength and ecosystem resilience according to its official website. It serves as the outreach arm of the University of Missouri according to its official website, providing research-based education aimed at enhancing quality of life according to its official website. The organization extends services statewide according to its official website through partnerships with county governments and other groups according to its official website, offering educational programs including agriculture-focused workshops like this one according to its official website.
Registration is open until April 27 with priority given to members of the Missouri Pork Association.
