Connect and Collaborate at the Animal Ag Industry Breakfast

By Blake Jackson

Pennsylvania agriculture professionals, including dairy, beef, poultry, pork, and small ruminant producers, are invited to the 2024 Animal Agriculture Industry Breakfast on HPAI and Biosecurity Planning. Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, August 14, during the 2024 Ag Progress Days. 

The Center for Dairy Excellence, Center for Beef Excellence, Center for Poultry & Livestock, PA Beef Producers Working Group, Penn State Extension, and PA Department of Agriculture are organizing the breakfast.

“Across the PA animal agriculture industry, everyone has a role to play in biosecurity and being proactive to mitigate the spread of HPAI. 

This year’s Animal Agriculture Industry Breakfast is a true representation of that, as members of all sides of the animal ag industry come together to talk about this real-time, rapidly evolving issue,” said Jayne Sebright, Executive Director at the Center for Dairy Excellence. 

Attendees will learn about the movement of disease, herd protection, and the importance of farm biosecurity for end users like packers and integrators.

Dr. John Boney, Dr. Chrislyn Wood, Stacylyn Himelright, and Shelly Koch will speak at the breakfast, followed by a Q&A session. Lisa Graybeal, PA Deputy Secretary for Animal Health and Food Safety will moderate the panel.

Event Details:

When: Wednesday, August 14, 7-9 a.m.

Where: Special Events Building at Ag Progress Days, 2710 W. Pine Grove Road, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865

Cost: Free, but pre-registration is required. Visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/industry-breakfast or call 717-346-0849.

Speakers:

- Dr. John Boney: Assistant Professor of Poultry Science at Penn State, focusing on poultry nutrition and biosecurity.

- Dr. Chrislyn Wood: Poultry Specialist with USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

- Stacylyn Himelright: Head Cattle Buyer and Procurement Lead for Cargill Meat Solutions.

- Shelly Koch: Live Operations Coordinator at Koch’s Turkey Farm, managing biosecurity and livestock care.

This event offers valuable insights into biosecurity practices essential for the health and sustainability of the animal agriculture industry.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-minchen-liang-eyeem