Pennsylvania dairy farms are invited to apply for this year's Dairy of Distinction award from the Northeast Dairy Farm Beautification Program. Applications must be submitted by April 15.

The award is based on the idea that attractive farmsteads enhance consumer confidence in the wholesomeness of milk, and stimulate milk sales and public support for the industry. Dairies receiving the highest scores in each of 10 Pennsylvania districts will be awarded an 18-inch by 24-inch Dairy of Distinction sign to display in front of their farm.

An animal scientist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences played a role in the first complete sequencing of the pig genome by an international team of researchers. The study, conducted by the International Swine Genome Sequencing Consortium, provides a genetic comparison of the domesticated pig and its wild cousins.

The research, described in the cover article of the Nov. 15 issue of the journal Nature, offers clues about how the animal evolved. The article is available at http://psu.ag/SHjXHu. Wansheng Liu, associate professor of animal genomics in the Department of Animal Science, participated in the study, which includes comparisons of the human, mouse, dog, horse, cow and pig genomes.

Penn State Extension will hold its fall Beef Cow/Calf Management Workshop in two locations Nov. 3: Beaver Creek Angus Farms in East Berlin, Adams County, will host the eastern event, and Heritage Hill Farms in Clarksburg, Indiana County, will host the western event.

Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has honored six of its graduates with 2012 Outstanding Alumni Awards. The awards recognize alumni for their achievements and provide opportunities for recipients to interact with the college's faculty, students and other alumni.

Penn State's Ag Progress Days exposition, Aug. 14-16, will provide entertaining yet educational activities for horse lovers of all ages and experience levels, according to Ann Macrina, senior instructor in the Department of Animal Science. The event's annual Equine Experience will offer a full schedule of training and breed clinics, demonstrations, informational displays and lectures.

Pennsylvania farmers were reeling from the effects of the recent heat wave plaguing the Northeast, according to experts in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. "The cows aren't getting a break -- even the nights are hot," said Michael O'Connor, professor emeritus of dairy science, during the peak of the steamy spell. "The hot weather is causing animals to reduce their appetites, resulting in a significant drop in production, and combined with the direct effect of increased body temperature, there is a substantial reduction in reproductive performance."

For more than six years, Bradford County dairy producer Glen Gorrell has relied on Penn State Extension to help him run a profitable business. Through Extension's Dairy Alliance program, Gorrell has long benefited from useful tips on labor management and financial stewardship at his Smithfield dairy. Over the past year, though, Penn State has helped increase Gorrell's bottom line in a new way -- by helping him keep his 570 dairy cows healthier and more productive.