$101,153

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Dr. Meghann Pierdon, a veterinarian and researcher at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, leads a statewide disease monitoring effort called the Pennsylvania Regional Control Program (PRCP), which has been especially valuable in tracking PRRS, a costly and common viral disease of pigs that affects reproduction and respiratory health.

Instead of waiting for disease to spread silently from farm to farm, Dr. Pierdon’s team collects and uses real-time reports from participating pig farms to map where PRRS is present or emerging. They use geospatial information systems (GIS) — like digital mapping tools — to show where infected animals are located and where disease risk is higher.

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By spotting incidents of PRRS early and telling farmers where they are, Dr. Pierdon’s research helps farmers strengthen their defenses exactly when and where they need to , protecting animals, saving money, and keeping farms running more smoothly.

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M. Pierdon (U Penn/NBC)

$38,527

Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) is  a contagious respiratory virus that can cause coughing, sneezing, and significant losses in chicken health and production.

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ILT virus is hardy in the environment and can spread easily within and between flocks. Because it can linger on surfaces and in barn materials, understanding how to kill or inactivate the virus safely and effectively is critical for controlling outbreaks. Research in this area explores how dry heat ( increasing the temperature of poultry house materials and equipment ) can destroy the virus so it no longer causes infection.

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G. Lorenzoni (Penn State)

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$39,848

Penn State researcher M. Martins is building laboratory capacity to quickly identify new and emerging animal viruses using advanced long-read sequencing technology. This approach allows scientists to read large sections of a virus’s genetic material at once, making it easier to accurately identify known viruses and detect new or changing strains.

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For farmers, this means faster and more reliable disease detection. Early identification helps veterinarians and producers respond sooner, strengthen biosecurity, and limit the spread of disease, protecting animal health, and reducing losses.

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M. Martins (Penn State)

$65,128

​Pennsylvania poultry and swine farmers face increasing pressure from volatile markets, tight margins, and more frequent infectious disease outbreaks such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). When barns are locked down and flocks or herds are depopulated, families can lose months of income and experience grief, anxiety, and sometimes suicidal thoughts.

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This project will partner with producer groups and statewide stakeholders to hear directly from poultry and swine farmers about the stressors they face before, during, and after disease events; how these affect mental health and farm decisions; barriers to seeking help; and what types of support they view as useful to get the mental health support they need .

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​L. Frank (University of Pittsburgh)

$35,955

University of Pennsylvania researcher E. Anis is improving how avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), a respiratory disease affecting poultry, is identified in Pennsylvania. By using advanced whole-genome sequencing, her work allows scientists to read the virus’s complete genetic “blueprint” directly from samples taken from sick birds. This provides a clearer picture of exactly which virus strain is present and how it may be spreading.

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This means faster and more accurate answers when birds get sick. Better identification helps veterinarians choose the right response, strengthens disease control and biosecurity efforts, and reduces the risk of ongoing outbreaks.

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E. Anis ( U Penn/NBC)

$23,465

Researchers in veterinary medicine are increasingly using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) tools to help diagnose diseases that are otherwise hard to identify quickly, including neurologic (brain/spinal) diseases.

When a goat or sheep has neurologic symptoms, time is critical. A fast cfDNA + NGS test could

detect disease earlier, allow targeted treatment sooner, and reduce guesswork. This is especially useful for conditions where the animal’s recovery depends on quick action.

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D. Luethy (U Penn/NBC)

$111,450

This looks at a smarter way to control parasites in poultry houses, especially mites, using a systemic treatment called Exzolt.

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Instead of spraying chemicals around the barn, Exzolt is given through the birds’ drinking water. The medicine moves through the bird’s body, so when mites bite, they’re exposed to the treatment and die.

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E. Machintinger (Penn State)

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$53,852

This research looks at how an animal’s reproductive history (parity)  can affect the gut microbiome, and how those microbiome differences might play a role in:

• Pregnancy outcomes  (how well the pregnancy goes, fetal development, birth size)

• Growth before weaning 

• How microbes are passed from mother to offspring ​
   

Understanding these microbiome dynamics could help farmers raise healthier animals and make smarter breeding and nutrition decisions.

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C. Stenhouse (Penn State)

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$90,500

Dan Foy is a tech entrepreneur and co-founder/CEO of AgriGates, a company focused on using data, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to better understand livestock behavior and welfare. He’s working with researchers at universities and animal science centers  to collect and analyze data from animals using sensors and smart tech that can track what animals are doing in real time.

This helps farmers understand their herds better, make faster management decisions, and ultimately run healthier, more productive farms.

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D. Foy  (AgriGates)

$11,500

The Marketing Report  provides unbiased price and sales information to assist in the marketing and distribution of farm commodities.  Market News issues reports providing the industry with key wholesale, retail and shipping data. 

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The reports give farmers, producers and other agricultural businesses the information they need to evaluate market conditions, identify trends, make purchasing decisions, monitor price patterns, evaluate transportation equipment needs and accurately assess movement.

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Beef Council

$5,000

​The PASA Conference (officially the PASA Sustainable Agriculture Conference) is an annual  conference focused on sustainable farming and food systems. 

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Farmers get hands-on knowledge and real-world information that they can put to work on their farms, whether it’s improving soil health, managing livestock better, or selling products more effectively. Sessions cover new farming techniques, innovations, research, and changing practices in sustainable agriculture.

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PASA 

$5,000

​​The PennAg Poultry, Swine, Manure Expo is a one‑day, hands‑on agriculture event  where livestock farmers learn, network, and discover practical tools and ideas to help them run healthier, more efficient operations.

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PennAg Industries