$108,931

Theileriosis is a disease caused by a parasite that infects cattle through tick bites. The disease can lead to anemia, weight loss, pregnancy loss and even death in severe cases.

Researchers are investigating how common the disease is in Pennsylvania, which ticks are spreading it, and how big of a risk it poses to local farms. By understanding the spread of the disease, this research can help farmers improve tick control strategies and protect their herds from potential outbreaks.

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D. Tufts (Univ of Pitt) 

$5,000

A one-day event dedicated to pork, poultry, and nutrient management featured industry experts and a trade show at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center.

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PennAg Industries Association

$2,253

Hands-on workshop on profitable livestock management strategies for sheep and goat producers in Westmoreland and Lebanon Counties.

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Lamb & Wool Growers & Bedford Extension

$53.405

The Hands-on Biosecurity for Pennsylvania project gives farmers the tools and training they need to protect their animals from disease. Biosecurity means keeping harmful germs, viruses, and bacteria away from livestock and poultry to prevent outbreaks that can hurt animals.

This project provides practical, hands-on training to farmers, teaching them simple but effective steps like proper cleaning, safe visitor policies, and disease monitoring to keep their farms safe.

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G. Lorenzoni (PSU)

$52,147

This project funds an Animal Composting Educational Consultation Team to help farmers properly and safely compost livestock and poultry that have died. Composting is a natural and environmentally friendly way to break down animal remains, turning them into nutrient-rich material that can be used to improve soil. This team provides expert guidance and hands-on training to ensure the process is done correctly, reducing odor, preventing disease spread and staying compliant with regulations.

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A. Bigge (PSU) 

$49,122

Biosecurity and emergency action plan signage are available free of charge to farmers and others in the ag industry by request.

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PennAg Industries Association

$5,000

Held at the PA Farm Show Arena, this premier event brought together over 3,000 top-tier animals, showcasing more than 1,200 beef cattle, 1,000 sheep, 300 horses, 250 pigs, and 250 goats. It offered an excellent opportunity to gain insights into agriculture and observe high-quality livestock.

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KILE Committee

$95,739

Pigs make different noises depending on how they feel just like people sound different when they’re happy, scared or sick. By using machine learning (a type of artificial intelligence) to "listen" to pig vocalizations, researchers aim to create a system that can identify health or welfare issues early, even before visible symptoms appear. Early detection means faster treatment, which can prevent disease from spreading, reduce losses, and improve overall pig welfare.

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T. Parsons (UPenn) 

$131,837

Feed is one of the biggest costs in raising turkeys. If turkeys get the right balance of amino acids, they grow healthier and more efficiently, leading to better production, lower feed costs, and higher profits.

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This project funds a graduate student to conduct research on the best way to feed turkeys, specifically focusing on amino acids. This research can help optimize their diet, ensuring they get the right nutrients without wasting expensive feed.

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J. Boney (PSU)  

$49,955

Viral diseases can spread quickly and cause major losses in flocks. If chlorine dioxide (a type of disinfectant) proves to be a safe and effective way to eliminate these viruses, it could become a valuable tool for keeping poultry healthier, reducing disease outbreaks, and improving overall farm biosecurity. 

R. Nissly (PSU) 

$93,900

AgriGates is a high-tech tool designed to help researchers and farmers better understand animal behavior using artificial intelligence (AI). It collects and organizes data from livestock (things like movement patterns, feeding habits, and other behaviors) so that AI can quickly and accurately analyze it.

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The big benefit for farmers is that this system can help identify health issues or unusual behaviors early, allowing for faster intervention. AgriGates helps bring cutting-edge technology to agriculture, making farms more efficient and improving animal well-being.

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D. Foy – AgriGates

$9,000

Educational materials promoting ag literacy, perfect for 3-5th grade, as an introduction to sheep and wool production with information on careers, wool, and sheep varieties.

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Friends of Ag – PA Farm Bureau

$1,216

The Ag Progress Days Breakfast focuses on animal agriculture and biosecurity, hosted by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. The event takes place at  the annual Ag Progress Days agricultural exhibition held annually at Penn State’s Russel E. Larson Agricultural Center.  

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PennAg Industries Association

$37,582

Fowl adenovirus can cause serious diseases in chickens and turkeys, leading to health problems and even death in flocks. Right now, testing for this virus can be slow and complicated. A quicker, more reliable test means veterinarians and farmers can detect outbreaks sooner and respond faster by taking protective measures.

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M. Martin (PSU) 

$26,000

Blackhead disease is a serious illness that affects turkeys and chickens, causing high death rates, especially in turkeys. It can wipe out flocks leading to major financial losses. By identifying how the disease spreads, this research can help farmers improve prevention strategies, protect their birds, and reduce the risk of devastating outbreaks.

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Industry & PSU

$16,443

Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP) is a long-term lung disease that affects sheep, making them weak, causing weight loss and lowering productivity. The disease spreads easily within flocks, and once a sheep is infected, there is no cure.

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Scientists are looking at a specific gene (TMEM154) that can make some sheep more resistant to the disease. By identifying sheep that are naturally less likely to get sick, farmers can make better breeding decisions to build healthier, more disease-resistant flocks.

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B Brown (PSU)

$29,535

Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that can cause diarrhea in young animals, leading to slower growth, higher treatment costs and death. It can also spread to humans, making it a concern for both animal and human health. This research project is studying how common Cryptosporidium is in sheep and goats and what factors make it more likely to spread. By identifying what increases the risk of infection, researchers can help farmers develop better prevention and management strategies.

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D. Simeone (UPenn) 

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$49,996

This research is developing a new and improved vaccine to protect chickens from infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), a disease that affects their breathing and can spread quickly through flocks. ILTV can cause major losses in poultry operations. A better vaccine means healthier chickens, fewer disease outbreaks and less need for antibiotics or other treatments.

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M.Martin (PSU)

$30,000

Avian metapneumovirus (aMVP) is a virus that causes respiratory disease in poultry, leading to coughing, sneezing and drops in egg production. It can spread quickly and cause serious health problems in flocks, leading to economic losses from sick birds and lower egg production. Better, more precise testing means farmers can detect infections earlier, respond faster, and improve biosecurity measures.

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A. Eman (UPenn) 

$48,939

This research is focused on identifying and studying avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). Scientists are working to isolate the virus from infected birds in Pennsylvania and analyze its genetic makeup. This helps them understand which strains are present, how the virus is spreading, and how it might be changing over time. By studying the virus in detail, this research can help develop better vaccines, improved treatments and stronger disease prevention strategies.

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M. Martin (PSU)