Ag Professionals Are Invited to the 2024 Industry Breakfast on HPAI and Biosecurity Planning in the Animal Ag Industry
Pennsylvania agriculture professionals, as well as dairy, beef, poultry, pork and small ruminant producers, are invited to the 2024 Animal Agriculture Industry Breakfast on HPAI and Why Biosecurity Is Essential. The industry breakfast will be held on Wednesday, August 14 during the 2024 Ag Progress Days. The event will include a free breakfast and conversations about how to be proactive with biosecurity protocols in light of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) affecting dairy herds and poultry flocks in the United States. The event is free but pre-registration is required at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/industry-breakfast or by calling 717-346-0849.
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 partnering to host the industry 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. “Join us for an open discussion on the epidemiology of the disease, how we can work together to implement biosecurity protocols, and how it changes how end users like packers and integrators have to operate.”
During the breakfast, attendees will learn how the disease moves, how we can protect our herds, and why biosecurity on the farm matters to end users like packers and integrators. Dr. John Boney, Dr. Chrislyn Wood, Stacylyn Himelright, and Shelly Koch will speak during the breakfast followed by a question-and-answer discussion. Lisa Graybeal, PA Deputy Secretary for Animal Health and Food Safety, will facilitate the panel discussion.
View more details about the speakers and the event:
- When: Wednesday, August 14 from 7-9 a.m.
- Where: Special Events Building at Ag Progress Days
2710 W. Pine Grove Road
Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865 - Cost: Free, but individuals must pre-register. Visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/industry-breakfast or call 717-346-0849.
- Speakers:
- Dr. John Boney, Penn State Extension. Dr. Boney is the Vernon E Norris Faculty Fellow of Poultry Nutrition and an Assistant Professor of Poultry Science in the Animal Science Department at Penn State. He has a 75% Extension and 25% teaching appointment and serves as the Extension Poultry Team Leader. He served as a liaison between poultry producers and the USDA/PDA Joint Incident Command during the Avian Influenza outbreak. He leads a student-centered lab where he and his students conduct applied research to improve feed quality, nutrient utilization, and production efficiency.
- Dr. Chrislyn Wood, USDA. Dr. Chrislyn Wood Nicholson is a Poultry Specialist with USDA’s Animal Plant Healthy Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS).
- Stacylyn Himelright, Lead/Head Buyer, Cargill. Stacylyn Himelright is a Head Cattle Buyer/ Procurement Lead for Cargill Meat Solutions. She collaborates with farmers, ranchers, feedlot managers, and auction barns all over the country to purchase fed cattle and cull cattle in a profitable and efficient manner that benefits both the producer and the processor. Stacylyn believes that strong relationships between producers and their buyers are the key to success for all who participate in our diverse cattle industry. She has worked at Cargill for 13 years, first as a Field Cattle Buyer and then as Head Cattle Buyer. Before her employment at Cargill, she worked as an operations manager for a veal facility and in the agricultural special projects sector, living and working overseas for USAID. Stacylyn holds an A.A.S in Animal Science and a B.T. in Beef Production from SUNY Cobleskill, along with multiple animal handling, beef advocacy, and Continuous Improvement certifications.
- Shelly Koch, Live Operations Coordinator, Koch’s Turkey Farm. Shelly Koch has been a dedicated member of the livestock community for many years through her involvement in the 4-H program of Northampton County. Graduating from Delaware Valley University with a degree in Livestock Science and Management, she began working as a Farrowing Lead for Country View Family Farms before moving into her role as the Live Operations Assistant and Coordinator at Koch’s Turkey Farm in 2018. Beginning with managing the company farms and servicing contract growers, her role has evolved to include coordinating poult schedules, inputting and analyzing statistical data, maintaining several humane and organic certifications, and being the Biosecurity Coordinator for all 23 contract growers as well as the two company farms. As a wife and mother of three, her passion for maintaining the highest level of care and stewardship has encouraged her to continue to educate not only herself, but others on the importance of raising good, healthy livestock for the benefit of future generations.
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 partnering to host the industry breakfast.