Swine Medicine Education Center at Iowa State University

One of the most exciting things at the Iowa State Fair? Piglets being born!

The Farrowing Display gives fairgoers a unique opportunity to see new piglets enter the world and it also provides an incredible hands-on learning experience for our fourth-year veterinary students.

Throughout the fair, our students assist with farrowing and help ensure each piglet gets the best possible start by making sure they receive that all-important first sip of colostrum, are dried off, warm, and healthy.

It’s a real-world learning experience that brings swine medicine to life while showcasing the important role veterinarians play in keeping pigs healthy from the very beginning!

Come see the piglets, meet our students, and learn more about swine medicine at the Iowa State Fair Farrowing Display! 🎡🐷

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Pet Pig Care: From Husbandry to Preventive Care!

We’re excited to see our very own Dr. Jessica Bonnema sharing her swine expertise through the American Veterinary Medical Association’s new webinar, Pet Pigs: Basic Husbandry and Routine Procedures.

This webinar will cover important topics in pet pig care, including husbandry, handling, nutrition, body condition scoring, and routine preventive care.

🎓 Earn 1 CE credit while learning more about providing quality care for pet pigs!

📅 Be sure to check out the webinar and take advantage of this great educational opportunity featuring Dr. Bonnema.

🔗 Learn more and register: https://axon.avma.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=468

Image Credit: AVMA

In the latest Axon webinar, learn the fundamentals of pet pig care, including basic swine husbandry, nutrition, handling, and routine preventive care procedures. You will learn how to describe safe handling techniques and how to perform a basic physical examination on a pig; understand how nutrition affects body condition scoring in pet pigs; and recognize the importance of routine preventive care procedures for pet pigs, including hoof trimming, dental care, spaying, and neutering. Watch now: https://bit.ly/4wFYPJ6

The first litter of piglets has officially arrived at the Iowa State Fair Farrowing Display!

And they’re already making headlines! These newest fairgoers even made an appearance on the local news.

Stop by the Animal Learning Center during the Iowa State Fair to meet the sows and piglets! 🎉🐷

The farrowing stalls are set up and ready for the sows to arrive tomorrow!

The SMEC Team, alongside Iowa Pork Producers, are excited for another fun-filled 11 days of education, agriculture and all things pigs at the Iowa State Fair Farrowing Display. 🎡🐖

We can’t wait to welcome all you fairgoers to the Animal Learning Center to meet the 2026 sows and piglets.

We are excited to share that Dr. Gabi Doughan has been appointed as an Assistant Professor of Swine Production Medicine in the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine!

Watching Dr. Doughan's journey has been incredibly rewarding. From her time as a SMEC intern, to earning her MS and PhD, serving as a Technical Project Specialist, and now stepping into her new faculty role. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved milestone and look forward to seeing the continued impact she'll make in advancing swine health, education, and the industry.

Congratulations, Dr. Doughan! We can't wait to see what's next! 🐖💧

Photo Credits: Swine Medicine Education Center and Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Did you know?

The average sow litter is 12–14 piglets!

As we get ready for the Iowa State Fair, we’re looking forward to welcoming sows and their litters to the Animal Learning Center Farrowing Display.

Make sure to add the Farrowing Display to your fair plans, as we can’t wait to see you there!

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Fun Fact Friday!

Did you know piglets only nurse for a short period of time 15-20+ times a day?

During each nursing, all piglets compete for a specific teat and milk is let down very quickly, making those brief moments critical for growth and survival in early life.

If you’re visiting the Iowa State Fair Farrowing Display, you may even catch piglets in action nursing, resting, and growing right before your eyes as part of one of the most unique educational exhibits at the fair. 🎡🐽

Stop by the Animal Learning Center to see it all in person!

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💧 Water Research Wednesday 💧

Dr. Gabi Doughan recently represented the Swine Medicine Education Center at the Missouri Swine Health Symposium, where she presented "Maintaining Clean Water Systems for Improved Swine Health and Biosecurity."

In addition to her presentation, Dr. Doughan sat on the panel for "The Journey to Becoming a Swine Veterinarian," alongside former SMEC intern Dr. Jessica Davenport and Dr. Rachel Bardot. The panelists shared their unique career paths, experiences in swine veterinary medicine, and advice for those interested in pursuing the profession.

We're proud to see our team contributing to industry education while inspiring the next generation of swine veterinarians!

📅 Join us tomorrow! 📅

Be sure to join us tomorrow, August 4, 2026, from 1:00-2:30 pm CDT to learn more about New World Screwworm preparedness, prevention, and response.

If you haven't registered yet, there's still time! Click the registration link below or scan the QR code to secure your spot.

🔗Registration: https://iastate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S5_PrKenSJWSn1dn4nnwmw #/registration