IMPROVING LIVESTOCK HEALTH, EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE, AND PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH

Pennsylvania livestock producers face great challenges as they strive to produce high-quality, safe, food products from healthy, comfortable animals, within a market where even the most efficient production can yield little to no profit. To maximize animal health and well-being, food safety, and farm profitability, livestock producers and the veterinarians who care for those animals need up to date, science-based recommendations for animal management. The Veterinary Extension and Research Team proposes to improve animal health and well-being through research to improve management of the health of cows in the time around calving and to better diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases like mastitis, lameness, and common calfhood illnesses.With the concern about antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in both human and veterinary medicine, research will be conducted to better understand animal physiology and management to identify ways to reduce the development and maintenance of AMR on livestock operations in an effort to improve animal health, worker health, and food safety.As improved management methods are found, it is vital that proper training accompany implementation of these methods. Adequate and regular training not only increases personnel knowledge and skills, but also improves the work environment and the attitude of personnel, all of which have a direct impact on farm profitability and animal well-being. Thus, the team also plans to conduct research to improve on-farm employee training through the development of new and innovative teaching strategies that target the varied livestock personnel population, both Spanish- and English-speaking. Furthermore, the team will assess the short- and long-term impact of the training programs by evaluating participants' gain in knowledge, change in behavior and change in condition, which will allow assessment of the efficacy of specific training techniques utilized, and modification thereof, if necessary.Through implementation of this comprehensive research plan, the Veterinary Extension and Research Team hopes to improve animal health, welfare, and food safety throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.