Swine Medicine Education Center at Iowa State University

08/24/2026

That’s a wrap on the 2026 Iowa State Fair!

After another busy and exciting Fair, the sows and piglets from the Farrowing Display have officially headed to their new homes.

🩺 Thank you to our 4th-year veterinary students!
Our students played an important role in providing veterinary care throughout the Fair, especially on the Farrowing Display. From monitoring sows and piglets to assisting with farrowing and making sure each pig received the care it needed. These hands-on experiences provide valuable opportunities to put their veterinary knowledge into practice and build confidence in swine medicine.

🎓 Thank you to our Animal Learning Center students!
Thank you for helping with morning and nighttime chores throughout the Fair! We hope your time caring for the sows and piglets sparked an interest in veterinary medicine and gave you a glimpse into the rewarding world of animal health and care.

🎡 Thank you to our SMEC work-study students!
We appreciate all of your help supporting our veterinary students and team wherever needed. Your assistance was an important part of keeping things running smoothly throughout the Fair!

🐷And finally, a special thank you to Iowa Pork!
Thank you for allowing the SMEC team to provide veterinary care for the Farrowing Display and for supporting this incredible opportunity to educate students and the public about swine health, welfare, and veterinary medicine. We’re grateful to be part of it each year!

Until next year, Iowa State Fair!

08/22/2026

At the Iowa State Fair Farrowing Display, learning goes both ways!

Our veterinary students get the opportunity to step into the role of teacher as they share their knowledge with students working the Animal Learning Center. From pig care and animal health, these hands-on interactions and conversations help spark curiosity and interest in the next generation of agriculture learners!

There’s nothing better than seeing the next generation of animal agriculture professionals learning from one another!

Iowa Pork Iowa State Fair AMVC Management Services

08/21/2026

Talk about royal treatment!

The sows and piglets got a special visit from Iowa Pork Queen and SMEC work-study student Trudy Loecke this morning at the Farrowing Display.

We’re soaking up every moment because it’s the last Friday of the Iowa State Fair. Come see us before the fair wraps up! 🎡🐷

Iowa Pork AMVC Management Services Iowa State Fair

08/19/2026

Next in the Pet Pig Medicine series is now available on AVMA AXON: Pet Pigs: Common Health Conditions and Treatments!

Tune in today to learn more from SMEC Vet Dr. Jessica Bonnema!

🔗 https://bit.ly/4wbcJBV

In one of the latest Axon webinars, learn about common health conditions seen in pet and backyard pigs, along with vaccine protocols, pain control options, and antimicrobial stewardship considerations. You will also learn to describe regulations and principles related to antimicrobial stewardship; identify drug withdrawal times in pet and backyard pigs; and, recognize considerations for extra-label drug use. Watch now: https://bit.ly/4wbcJBV

08/18/2026

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! 🎡🐷

AMVC Management Services Iowa Pork Iowa State Fair

08/14/2026

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

08/14/2026

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! 🎉🐷

08/13/2026

🎡🐷 Opening Day is here! 🐷🎡

The gates are open, the crowds are arriving, and the Farrowing Display is officially underway at the Iowa State Fair!

Stop by to meet our sows, see newborn piglets, and experience one of the fair's most unique educational exhibits. Throughout the fair, you'll have the opportunity to watch
piglets being born, learn how they are cared for, and talk with the team about swine production, animal welfare, and the important role pigs play in agriculture.

Whether it's your first visit or an annual tradition, we can't wait to welcome you to the Farrowing Display. Be sure to stop by, ask questions, and say hello to our newest arrivals!

08/11/2026

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.

08/11/2026

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