RESEARCH
A complete list of research projects funded and currently underway is outlined below. To view a historical list of past projects funded, visit the Awards Archive.
To review the details and results of completed research projects, visit the Success tab.
Changes in Swine fecal microbiome and resistome associated with herd introduction and after artificial insemination with semen containing preservation level antibiotics
$63,138
Determine temporal changes in microbiome and resistome in fecal samples of gilts after their introduction into an organic herd and after insemination with extended semen containing typical preservative-level antibiotics.
Dr. L. Brito
UPenn
Improve Speed, Accessibility and Knowledge of Animal Pathogen Sequencing
$48,855
Improving procedures for and access to genome sequencing of viruses providing critical information about how these viruses change and spread.
Dr. R. Nissly
PSU
Develop Bed Bug Monitoring Tools for Poultry Facilities
$135,139
Provide practical monitoring tools that can be used by producers and could be used for scale evaluation of bed bug control medications.
Dr. E. Machtinger
PSU
Effect of Litter amendment & Enrichment on footpad health in broiler flocks
$11,573
Elucidate the effects of various enrichment objects as well as litter conditions and amendments on the occurrence and severity of Footpad dermatitis, breast blisters and hock burns in growing broilers.
Dr. M. Pierdon
UPenn
Staying one step ahead, addressing public concern about piglet castration
$183,230
Propose the development of an effective, practical and cost-efficient method to treat castration pain in pigs.
Dr. T Parsons
UPenn
Genetic Diversity- AI after vaccination using next Gen Sequencing
$48,411
Help define the genetic pressure placed on IBVs contained with vaccine. Findings will address effective vaccinations and improve strategies for diagnosis and control of IBV infections in chickens.
Dr. A Schmitt
PSU
On-Road Transport Equipment Biosecurity Reimbursement Program
$47,842.50
Provide companies with the proper biosecure equipment to protect farms from lateral virus spread.
C. Hershey
PennAg
Farm Animal Emergency Response- Certificate Program for Animal Shelters
$12,500.00
Provide a professional and educated response by animal protection organizations who play a critical role in assisting responding authorities with sheltering farm animals in emergencies.
C. Shelly
Animal Crime Institute, LLC
Justification for Small Ruminant Extension Specialist position at Penn State University
$5,000.00
Assess the current scope of the sheep and goat industry, economic impact, and existing PSU Extension personnel with expertise to support the industry. Provide justification to PSU administration for hiring a Small Ruminant Extension Specialist.
Dr. R. Mikesell
Penn State University
2023 Sheep and Goat Management Calendar
$5,500.00
Create 2023 Small Ruminant calendars to include marketing advice and best management practices.
C. Hershey
PennAg Industries Association
Disease Awareness- Public Information Distribution
$50,000.00
Create and purchase ad space in public engaging news outlets to inform the public of disease threats, how to respond, and where to access more information.
C. Hershey
PennAg Industries Association
AI Readiness Response Supplies
$100,000.00
Equip Pennsylvania with Avian Influenza response supplies.
C. Hershey
PennAg Industries Association
Spanish Course for Poultry and Swine
$130,000.00
Curriculum creation for beginner and intermediate Spanish language courses.
C. Hershey
PennAg Industries Association
Educators Ag Institute- Ag Crate Project for Poultry, Swine, and Sheep
$8,500.00
Provide educator resources on swine, poultry, and sheep.
C. Espenshade
Friends of Ag Foundation- Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
Pennsylvania Sheep and Goat Quality Assurance Program
$84,533.00
Evaluate existing quality assurance programs to develop a set of goals for a small ruminant quality assurance program in the state of Pennsylvania.
Dr. W. Fritz
Delaware Valley University
Influence of Vitamin A and D on milk quality and piglet health
$28,332.00
Conduct an applied research project that investigates the effect of Vitamin A and D administration to the sow during late gestation on milk quality and immune function of the piglet.
Dr. E. Hines
Penn State University
Swine microbiome and resistome after insemination with semen containing antibiotics
$56,262.00
Provide empirical data that supports best AI practices for porcine producers in Pennsylvania and provide a better understanding to agriculture's role in antibiotic stewardship.
Dr. L. Brito
University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine- New Bolton
Assessment of animal welfare and behavioral impacts on commercial laying hens infested with bed bugs
$20,795.00
Determine the effect of bed bugs on layer chicken welfare through behavioral and physiological measures. Use free image analysis software, "ImageJ" for bed bug quantification.
Dr. M. Pierdon
University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine- New Bolton
One Health Task Force
$2,000.00
Connect human, animal, and environmental health stakeholders.
Dr. J. Holt
Determining the size and scope of USDA exempted poultry processing in PA
$109,213.00
Assess the level of disease threat and biosecurity issues surrounding small-scale producers and subsequent extension programming to directly address concerns.
Dr. J. Boney
Penn State University
Deciphering the Role of Gut Microbiome in Reducing Haemonchus Contorus Infestation in PA's Small Ruminant Herds
$89,500.00
Understand the role of Haemonchus contortus microbiome interactions in small ruminants and identify therapeutic interventions to promote health, reduce parasitic burden, and improve production and welfare.
Dr. D. Pitta
Penn State University
Investigation into the Cause of Pheasant Hepatopathy Syndrome
$49,486.00
Identification of affected and control of flocks, Metagenomics, and Electron Microscopy.
Dr. M. Lighty
Penn State University
A Simple Sample Locator for Poultry
$15,882.00
Create a simple chart-type tool to help professionals of the poultry industry to determine which are the most suitable samples to submit to the diagnostic laboratory depending on the suspected condition.
Dr. G. Lorenzoni
Penn State University
Evaluation of Vaccination for Egg Drop Syndrome Infection Using real-time PCR Testing and a Commercial ELISA in Layers on EDS affected Farms in PA
$18,337.00
Evaluate antibody response to EDS vaccination in layer flocks and evaluate viral shedding in EDS vaccinated layers using real-time PCR testing.
Dr. S. Davison & Dr. Anis
University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine- New Bolton
Establish a Secure Food Supply Program in PA
$84,759.58
Complete 150 food supply plans and provide cost-share opportunities for plan development and installation of best management practices.
C. Hershey
PennAg Industries Association
SWOT of Animal Agriculture in Commonwealth of PA
$49,994.00
Dr. C. Gambino
Delaware Valley University
Surveillance and Genetic Characterization of Infectious Bronchitis Viruses from Commercial Chicken Flocks in PA
$49,954.00
Map the geographic distribution of Infectious Bronchitis Virus strains across Pennsylvania and identify high-risk regions for IBV.
Dr. M. Lighty
Penn State University
Avian Medicine and Pathology Residence Program at Penn State University
$138,794.00
Equip an avian medicine and pathology resident to function independently in a diagnostic, technical support, research, or veterinary setting.
Dr. M. Lighty
Penn State University
Surveillance of Egg Drop Syndrome (EDS) Infection Using Commercial ELISA
$8,063.00
Conduct initial surveillance of PA layer flocks for antibodies to EDS using the Biocheck EDS ELISA.
Dr. E. Anis & Dr. S. Davison
University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine- New Bolton
Development of a Rapid Molecular Typing Technique to Track Gallibacterium anatis in Layer Poultry Farms
$30,000.00
Develop simple molecular typing technique to track G. anatis in poultry farms and identify genes to understand emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
H. Lu
Penn State University
Expanding the Penn State Butcher School
$42,446.00
Conduct formal butcher training, including strong segments of theory and hands-on experience.
Dr. J. Campbell
Penn State University
Field Scale Research Controlling Internal Parasites of Goats with Sericera Lespedeza in PA
$10,000.00
Determine if AU Grazer Sericera Lespedeza can be an effective non-chemical, anti-parasitic, that combined with best management practices, can contribute to the reduction and control of internal parasites.
G. Cauffman
Pure American Naturals
Poultry Bed Bug Surveillance, Identification, and Outreach
$81,636.00
Survey to better-understand the extent of bed bugs, verify identification, and outreach, education, and training on biology, life cycle, and control measures for bed bugs in poultry facilities.
Dr. P. Patterson
Penn State University
Screening for Egg Drop Syndrome Infection Using PCR & Commercial ELISA
$12,093.00
Validate real-time PCR for detection of EDS virus and commercially-available ELISA for detection of antibodies to EDS.
Dr. E. Anis
University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine- New Bolton Center
PA Food Animal Processing Strategic Needs Assessment
$65,723.00
Identifying and connecting gaps within PA's Food Animal Processing industry.
Dr. C. Gambino
Delaware Valley University
User Friendly Veterinary Telemedicine Service
$99,979.00
Collecting and analyzing data on the capabilities and limitations of telemedicine veterinary services specific to livestock/poultry practice in rural areas of Pennsylvania.
Dr. G. Patterson
VetNow
Improving Biosecurity within the Commonwealth of PA
$48,000.00
Piloting a biosecurity tool, "Barn360."
Dr. B. Mason
Country View Family Farms
Training for Disease Response in the PA Swine Industry
$95,700.00
Building the human knowledge base and local infrastructure needed to deal with a high consequence disease outbreak in the swine population.
Dr. E. Hines and C. Williams
Penn State University
Establishing PCR Assays for Detection of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Serotypes
$84,152.00
Developing molecular diagnostic tests for the typing of avian infectious bronchitis virus isolates.
Dr. S. Kuchipudi
Penn State University
Poultry Welfare and Production Medicine Fellowship at Clinical Studies
$174,979.00
Post Grad training for vet with interest in poultry to develop skills needed for diagnostics, animal welfare and industry connections.
Dr. M. Pierdon
University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine- New Bolton Center
Youth Biosecurity and Protection of Livestock Industry
$21,200.00
Target jackpot show exhibitors with need for biosecurity to protect all of Pennsylvania livestock.
J. Darr
PA Pork Strategic Investment Program
Secure Pork Supply Training
$14,550.00
Biosecurity training to swine producers throughout Commonwealth - topics include paperwork, disease, etc.
Dr. E. Hines
Penn State Extension
Depopulation Readiness
$22,295.00
Equip animal ag in Lancaster, Mifflin and Juniata Counties to ensure they have the necessary equipment in the event of an animal health challenge.
Dr. G. Martin
Penn State Extension, Lancaster County
Capturing Newly Emerging Markets: How Best to Manage Post-Weaned Sows
$99,968.00
Evaluating the details of Prop 12 in California and how that would impact Pennsylvania pork production.
Dr. T. Parsons
University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine- New Bolton Center
Strategic Analysis of Poultry and Livestock Health Issues in PA
$50,000.00
Comprehensive look across the Commonwealth as to what is needed for poultry, swine, lambs, sheep and goats.
Dr. D. Wolfgang
Previous State Veterinarian/Penn State University