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This article is also available in Spanish.
COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension will host a free bilingual workshop aimed at strengthening sow production practices and supporting the state’s diverse swine workforce.
The Show Me Sow Production: Bilingual Workshop, organized by Mag Lopez, MU Extension field specialist in livestock, is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at the Missouri Pork Association, 6235 W. Cunningham Drive, Columbia. This free event will include a live interpreter to assist Spanish-speaking participants.
Lopez says the workshop is designed to deliver practical, research-based information that can be applied directly to commercial sow farms while helping bridge communication gaps within farm teams. The target audience is English and Spanish-speaking managers, supervisors and TN visa professionals working on sow farms in Missouri.
“We are so excited to provide this groundbreaking event, and we hope that many bilingual workshops will be held in the future,” said Lopez.
The program will feature presentations from MU Extension specialists, including Jessica Acosta, Teng Tee Lim, Heather Conrow, Corinne Bromfield, Tim Safranski, Tim Evans, Jay Johnson, Ryan Milhollin and Joseph Zulovich, along with Lopez. Topics include key areas of sow production such as feeding management, biosecurity, reproduction, piglet health, ventilation and heat stress. Additional sessions will address composting practices, mycotoxin prevention and the economics of production. Lastly, there will be a show pig industry, with important strategies on managing prolific sows, including nurse sow programs and improving piglet outcomes.
The workshop is part of MU Extension’s ongoing efforts to support the swine industry through research-based education while addressing the needs of a bilingual workforce, Lopez said.
“Research conducted in 2025 by MU Extension with Hispanic workers in the swine industry highlighted the importance of bilingual programming,” he said. “Findings indicate that about 80% prefer to communicate in Spanish, while about 65% assess their English literacy as basic, and roughly half of employees do not receive literature in Spanish. These gaps can create challenges in training, communication and workplace integration if not addressed.”
Events like this can play an important role in improving employee morale and retention in the swine industry, he said. “By investing in bilingual training and professional development, producers can create more inclusive workplaces where all team members feel valued and confident in their roles. Improved communication, clearer expectations and opportunities for skill-building can lead to higher job satisfaction, reduced turnover and stronger overall farm performance.”
Missouri is a major swine hub, with hog operations highly concentrated in the north-central and west-central part of the state. Missouri stands out as an elite breeding powerhouse in the American pork industry, Lopez said. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the state consistently holds a top-tier position in the industry, hovering around sixth in the nation for total sow inventory, with more than 415,000 head. The state’s role is vital not just in raising market hogs but also in laying the groundwork for the entire national supply chain, he said.
“MU Extension and the MU Department of Animal Science seek to make a difference through novel programming methods that are aligned with labor dynamics in the U.S pork industry,” Lopez said. “We want to aid Missouri swine producers adjust to the labor difficulties they face.”
Registration is open through April 27, with space limited to 30 participants. Priority will give given to Missouri Pork Association members.