Adding high-flavonoid corn to broiler chickens’ diet may cut intestinal disease

April 21, 2022

The inclusion of a high-flavonoid corn, developed by a Penn State maize geneticist, in the diet of broiler chickens reduced the incidence and severity of a fatal intestinal disorder known as necrotic enteritis.

What does the detection of avian flu mean for Pennsylvania?

April 21, 2022

Pennsylvania is the latest state to report a confirmed detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in a commercial poultry flock, leading state officials, industry leaders and Penn State poultry specialists to redouble efforts to contain the virus and educate producers, backyard flock owners and the public about the disease.

Plaut Named Penn State Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus

April 18, 2022

Karen I. Plaut, Ph.D., Dean of Purdue University’s College of Agriculture, has been selected as the 2022 Animal Science Distinguished Alumnus by Penn State’s Department of Animal Science.

Penn State Poultry Judging Team Places Second in Nation

April 18, 2022

Penn State’s Collegiate Poultry Judging Team placed third in the nation at the 73rd USPOULTRY Foundation Ted Cameron National Poultry Judging Contest held at Louisiana State University on April 6-8, 2022.

Annual Penn State Quarter Horse Sale and Showcase to be held April 30

April 8, 2022

After two years of holding an online-only auction, the Penn State Equine Science program will host the 20th annual Equine Science Showcase and Quarter Horse Sale in a new, hybrid format Saturday, April 30.

Preventing, controlling spread of animal diseases focus of forum at Penn State

April 7, 2022

Exploring the emergence, spread and control of animal infectious diseases such as avian influenza was the focus of the inaugural Emerging Animal Infectious Disease Conference held Nov. 29-Dec.1, 2021, at Penn State. It was hosted by the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State’s Center for Security Research and Education.

Gamma Sigma Delta lauds outstanding College of Ag Sciences faculty, students

April 5, 2022

The Penn State chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the agricultural honor society, recognized Penn State faculty and students during its annual meeting, which was held March 31.

Are egg cells in aging primates protected from mutations?

April 4, 2022

New mutations occur at increasing rates in the mitochondrial genomes of developing egg cells in aging rhesus monkeys, but the increases appear to plateau at a certain age and are not as large as those seen in non-reproductive cells, a fact that could indicate a protective mechanism in reproductive cells.

'It’s a Wormy Deal' workshops for sheep and goat producers set for April

March 29, 2022

Penn State Extension will hold a workshop titled “It’s a Wormy Deal” at three locations this spring for sheep and goat producers.

Poultry flock owners urged to step up biosecurity in response to avian flu

March 1, 2022

The detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds and domestic flocks in several Eastern and Midwestern states is prompting urgent calls from Penn State poultry experts for flock owners — and others who may come into proximity to flocks — to step up their biosecurity practices. At risk is Pennsylvania's large poultry industry, the state's second largest agricultural sector.

Students in Department of Animal Science receive accolades for research

March 1, 2022

There are many opportunities to participate in undergraduate- and graduate-level research in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. The benefits are numerous, and two graduate students in the Department of Animal Science, Emily Van Syoc and Sophia Kenney, are among those reaping these benefits.

Omicron detected for first time in white-tailed deer

February 21, 2022

Some white-tailed deer living in Staten Island, New York, are actively infected with the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2, according to new research led by scientists at Penn State. The team also found neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in one of the Omicron-infected deer, suggesting that, like humans, deer can be reinfected with the virus.

Ag. Sciences students top all US universities with $1.1M in USDA funding

February 14, 2022

Seven students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have received predoctoral fellowships from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The students received a combined total of nearly $1.1 million — the most received for this year's fellowships among U.S. universities.

Penn State Extension holds ‘Farrowing Induction and Your Sows’ workshop/webinar

February 11, 2022

Penn State Extension invites pig producers and other agricultural industries to join the “Farrowing Induction and Your Sows” hybrid workshop/webinar event from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 24 in Greensburg.

Penn State Poultry Science Club Recognized at National Meeting

February 9, 2022

Penn State’s Department of Animal Science’s Poultry Club placed second in the National Club of the Year competition held at the 2022 International Poultry and Processing Exposition (IPPE) in Atlanta, GA, last week in person, after a virtual event last year. The club also won Scrapbook of the Year, an honor they have achieved in 24 of the past 26 years.

Penn State Extension offers free webinar on sheep, goats grazing season Feb. 22

January 28, 2022

Penn State Extension invites sheep and goat producers, as well as other agriculture industries, to join the “Wrangling More Days Out of the Grazing Season for Sheep and Goats” web-based seminar Feb. 22. 

Two Penn State students win $10,000 AgChoice Farm Credit grants

December 13, 2021

Two Penn State students this fall were among 15 young, beginning and small-scale Pennsylvania farmers who received $10,000 AgChoice Farm Credit Jumpstart Grants. Mikara Anderson, of Hustontown, and Jake Grim, of Biglerville, will use the funding to develop their farm-related businesses.

Penn State unveils new Animal, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Building

December 1, 2021

Faculty, staff and students joined University leaders, HOK architectural firm and Turner Construction Co. executives, donors, and guests on Dec. 1 for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new Animal, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Building on Penn State's University Park campus.

Penn State poultry judging team wins national championship

November 29, 2021

The Penn State Collegiate Poultry Judging Team earned first place at the 55th National Collegiate Poultry Judging Contest held at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Horn fly resistance observed in organic Holstein cattle, study finds

November 16, 2021

Research conducted in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences suggests that some Holstein dairy cattle, particularly those with white coat coloration, naturally fend off the horn fly, a parasitic insect known to cause stress and disease in grazing cattle.

Northeast Dairy Challenge Hosts In-Person Educational Event

October 25, 2021

Three Penn State Animal Science students participated in the Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge, held in-person after a virtual event in 2020. Hosted by SUNY Morrisville, 66 students participated from nine different universities.

Penn State Poultry Science Club hosts annual turkey sale

October 20, 2021

The Penn State Poultry Science Club is again selling turkeys to members of the Penn State and surrounding communities just in time for delivery the week of Thanksgiving.

Penn State student feels at home as a Beef-Sheep Center live-in worker

October 18, 2021

Blair Steele, a fourth-year student in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, is using the knowledge and skills she has acquired from her work at Penn State's Beef-Sheep Center to advance her career goals.

Penn State Students Reserve National Champions at ASAS Academic Quadrathlon

August 23, 2021

A team of undergraduates from Penn State University’s Block and Bridle and Dairy Science Clubs was named Reserve National Champions in the American Society of Animal Science’s (ASAS) Academic Quadrathlon competition, held July 17-18 as part of the 2021 ASAS Annual Meeting & Trade Show in Louisville, KY.

Meaty mission: Animal science facility at Penn State aids teaching, outreach

August 20, 2021

Penn State’s meat processing laboratory and retail operation in the College of Agricultural Sciences supports comprehensive research and teaching on all aspects of meat science.

Penn State Butcher School seeks applicants for 2nd session, starting in January

August 13, 2021

The Penn State Butcher School, offered by Penn State Extension, is now seeking applications for its second session, starting in January 2022.

Penn State Extension has been preparing pork producers for AFS for several years

August 10, 2021

The late-July disclosure that African swine fever was discovered in Dominican Republic pigs — the first time the disease has been found in the Western Hemisphere in 40 years — rocked the pork-production industry, but Penn State Extension has been preparing for the disease’s arrival for nearly three years.

Penn State Scientist to Head Society for the Study of Reproduction

August 4, 2021

Troy L. Ott, Ph.D. Professor of Reproductive Physiology in Penn State’s Department of Animal Science, and Associate Director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, will become president of the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR) at their August business meeting.

Retired avian biology professor is named fellow of Poultry Science Association

July 27, 2021

Alan Johnson, former Walther H. Ott Professor in Avian Biology in Penn State’s Department of Animal Science, has been named a fellow of the Poultry Science Association.

Penn State Animal Science Professor Recognized by ADSA

July 22, 2021

Alexander N. Hristov, Ph.D., P.A.S., distinguished professor of dairy nutrition in Penn State’s Department of Animal Science, has been recognized as the 2021 recipient of the American Feed Industry Association Award, presented during the virtual meeting of the American Dairy Science Association.