PENNSYLVANIA — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recently announced a call for proposals for $450,000 in research grants through the Center for Poultry & Livestock Excellence. The center was established as part of the PA Farm Bill and represents a critical investment in Pennsylvania’s agricultural future under Governor Josh Shapiro’s Administration.
The research grants aim to tackle substantial challenges such as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza crisis and other diseases that pose threats to the food supply. “Research feeds innovation and productivity, keeping Pennsylvania’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry growing,” stated Redding.
Pennsylvania has invested $4.5 million in the center since its inception in 2019. This funding aims to cultivate innovation and fortify the state’s animal agriculture sector. The center played an instrumental role in managing the avian influenza outbreak in 2022 and early 2023, and continues to plan for business continuity within Pennsylvania’s poultry and livestock sectors.
The center is inviting research proposals focused on poultry, swine, sheep, and goat production. The projects should aim to boost biosecurity protections, prepare for and respond to animal disease emergencies, increase workforce skill proficiency, enhance technology use including telemedicine by veterinarians, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s animal agriculture infrastructure.
Other areas of interest include enhancing food security by improving the state’s supply chain and reducing risks, and conducting applied research to address emerging diseases, their economic impact, explore regenerative livestock production, and precision farming.
Interested parties can submit their proposals online until 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Proposal guidelines, information on currently funded research, success stories, and an archive of funded projects can be found on the center’s website.
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