Agricultural Sciences

College Building will feature animal science at Ag Progress Days

Animal and veterinary scientists and Penn State Extension educators will be available to answer questions from agricultural producers and the public. Also in the college exhibits building, visitors also can engage in hands-on demonstrations and displays showing the latest research and technology in areas such as precision farming. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State teaching, research and extension activities related to poultry, livestock, meat science and dairy will be the focus in the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building at Ag Progress Days, Aug. 18-20.

The building, coordinated by the college's Department of Animal Science, is located on Main Street between East Ninth and East 10th streets on the Ag Progress Days site.

Animal and veterinary scientists and Penn State Extension educators will be available to answer questions from agricultural producers and the public. Visitors also can engage in hands-on demonstrations and displays showing the latest research and technology in areas such as precision farming.

Backyard poultry production -- including how to protect flocks from the threat of avian influenza -- also will be featured.

Reminiscent of the TV series "CSI," experts with the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences will conduct a "crime scene" investigation of calf scours (diarrhea). The presentation will demonstrate how calf health issues are investigated by veterinarians and how the Penn State Animal Diagnostic Laboratory provides critical diagnostic testing to find answers.

Finally, a section of the college exhibits building will be devoted to future students, emphasizing that myriad of opportunities available in agriculture and related fields each year.=

"In the college building, potential students can explore our 17 majors and 25 minors to see what might be a fit for them. This is an incredible time to be in the College of Agricultural Sciences, and our unique blend of leading-edge courses, hands-on learning, and career preparation mean graduates not only have a valuable degree, they graduate and head into incredible careers," said Jean Lonie, college director of student recruitment and activities.

"Our college has a strong sense of community and the fact that we have a nearly $2.4 million scholarship endowment shows the amazing support we receive from our alums and the agriculture industry. Couple that with the fact that the United States has more ag jobs than we have ag graduates, and you have a great road map to grow success."

Faculty and staff will be available during the show to answer questions and provide information to prospective students and their families.

New this year at the College Exhibits Building is the inaugural Beef Day, hosted by Penn State Extension. On Wednesday, Aug.  19, repeating educational sessions will take place at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Presentations will focus on emerging beef opportunities in Pennsylvania. Jim Hogue, with Agri-Basics Inc., will discuss how to feed Holstein calves for the beef market, and John Tyson, an extension agricultural engineer, will share information on converting dairy facilities to beef facilities. Session attendees will receive $5 "Beef Bucks" coupons (one per family), redeemable at the Pennsylvania Cattlemen's Association food stand at Ag Progress Days.

"We’re excited to offer this additional learning opportunity," said Chet Hughes, Penn State Extension program leader for animal systems. "With three session times on Aug. 19, we hope producers can join us and enjoy a beef sandwich after the program."

For more information about the inaugural Beef Day at Ag Progress Days, contact Cheryl Fairbairn, educator with the Penn State Extension Livestock Team, at caf2@psu.edu.=

The following presentations will be held in the College of Agricultural Sciences Exhibits Building Theater:

Aug . 18

9:30 a.m. -- Precision Dairy Technology: What is available?

10:30 a.m. -- State of the Ag Industry, College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Rick Roush and Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding

1 p.m. -- Avian Influenza and What You Should Do to Protect Your Backyard Poultry Flock

1:30 p.m. -- Best Management Practice for the Care of Backyard Poultry

2 p.m. -- Small Scale Poultry Processing Methods for a Quality Food Product

3:30 p.m. -- State of Pennsylvania Agriculture and 2014 Farm Bill, Congressman Glenn Thompson

Aug. 19

7 a.m. -- Transformations, Permitting, Ca$h Flow and You!

10 a.m. -- Beef Day: Feeding Options for Holstein Beef (to be held in Red Barn Room A)

10:30 a.m. -- Beef Day: Conversion of Dairy Facilities to Beef (to be held in Red Barn Room A)

10 a.m. -- Tentative: Joint Meeting of the Pa. House and Senate Ag and Rural Affairs committees to discuss avian influenza preparations

1 p.m. -- Beef Day: Feeding Options for Holstein Beef

1:30 p.m. -- Beef Day: Conversion of Dairy Facilities to Beef

2:30 p.m. -- Best Management Practice for the Care of Backyard Poultry

3 p.m. -- Beef Day: Feeding Options for Holstein Beef

3:30 p.m. -- Beef Day: Conversion of Dairy Facilities to Beef

Aug. 20

9:30 a.m. -- MPP-Dairy: Margin Management in Times of Low Milk Prices

10:30 a.m. -- Herd Dynamics: Can I Afford to Cull?

11 a.m. -- Follicles, GnRH, and the Modern Dairy Cow

12:30 p.m. -- Impact of Corn Silage Selection and Management on Dairy Cash Flow

1:30 p.m. -- Robotic Milking Systems in Pennsylvania

Sponsored by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 18; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 19; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 20. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, visit the Ag Progress Days website at the website. Twitter users can find and share information about the event by using the hashtag #agprogressdays, and Facebook users can find the event here.

 

Last Updated August 5, 2015

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