Why State Funding Matters: Penn State Plays Critical Role for Pa. Agriculture

Jun 13, 2022

For Penn State alumnus Jim Shirk, a farm owner from Lancaster County, access to the research, information and programming offered by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Penn State Extension have allowed his family farm to thrive for nine generations.

“My wife and I are the ninth generation to own our family farm in Lancaster County,” said Shirk, a 1993 graduate of the College of Agricultural Sciences. “It came into our family in 1758, so our family has been farming longer than the country has been around. One of the things that has helped our family [farm] not just survive but really continue to grow for nine generations has been access to tremendous information from the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Extension Service.”

Shirk, who also is a territory manager for Ceva Poultry, said the unbiased research conducted at Penn State helps the state's agriculture industry to address a variety of challenges, ranging from diseases like avian influenza to invasive pests like the spotted lanternfly.

“It hits home with us personally because this is the industry that provides for my livelihood, and without Extension we could really be much more vulnerable,” Shirk said.

Source : psu.edu

Video: Exploring Precision Data in Swine Production - Dr. Janice Siegford

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Janice Siegford from Michigan State University discusses how precision livestock farming data can support pig health, welfare, transparency, and decision making. She explains why data ownership, privacy, consumer perception, and cost sharing must be addressed as technology becomes more common on farms. Listen now on all major platforms.

“Precision livestock farming data can support producers, veterinarians, certifiers, and consumers by enabling improved monitoring, prediction, and decision-making across the entire production system.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Janice Siegford / janice-siegford-24318839 is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University. Her expertise in animal welfare, neuroscience, and zoology supports research on pig behavior, stress resilience, and precision livestock farming. Her work explores early weaning, genetics, and stakeholder perspectives on technology adoption to improve pig care, health, and productivity. Learn more from Dr. Janice Siegford on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.