Ag Progress Days to feature advances in animal science

At athletic events, the University's rallying chant rings out, "We are … Penn State!" At Ag Progress Days, Aug. 18 to 20, a variation will emphasize the work that the College of Agricultural Sciences performs with animals.

"We are … making progress with animals!" will be the theme at the Animal Sciences facility, above West 10th Street. There, the Department of Dairy and Animal Science and the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Science will offer a number of thought-provoking presentations designed to interest farmers and nonfarmers alike.

"We encourage visitors to come and participate in these interactive sessions to learn more about how we are moving ahead with animals," said Lisa Holden, associate professor of dairy and animal science. "Join Penn State faculty and staff as we share information about how progress with animals in research, teaching and outreach improves lives. Learn about protecting food safety, improving animal health and well being, and using technologies to feed the world."

The schedule for presentations is as follows:

Tuesday, Aug. 18
11 a.m. -- "We Are ... Feeding the World With Technology" (dairy focus)
1:30 p.m. -- We Are … "Protecting Your Food Safety" (dairy focus)
2:30 p.m. -- We Are … "Improving Animal Health" (livestock focus)

Wednesday, Aug. 19
11 a.m. -- "We Are … Learning More About Animal Well-being" (pets and livestock focus)
1:30 p.m. -- "We Are … Feeding the World With Technology" (dairy focus)
2:30 p.m. -- "We Are … Improving Animal Health" (livestock focus)

Thursday, Aug. 20
11 a.m. -- "We Are … Feeding the World With Technology" (beef focus)
12:30 p.m. -- "We Are … Protecting Your Food Safety" (dairy focus)

"The 'Feeding the World with Technology' presentation, with both dairy and beef focus sessions, will examine some of the demands on world food production considering the growing population and changing economic conditions that are increasing the demand for animal proteins," Holden said.

"The session titled 'Learning More About Animal Welfare' is a glimpse at what our animal science students are learning in the classroom and how our modern animal science curricula includes not just production, but companion animals and greater understanding of animal well-being. The food-safety presentation will be conducted by faculty and staff in veterinary and biomedical sciences," she said. "It will be an up-to-date look at pre- and post-harvest technologies that help to secure a safe food supply."

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.