Thanks to the generosity, encouragement, and support of many industrial participants, as well as the hard work of my predecessor, Dr. William Weaver, the Pennsylvania Poultry Industry Research Check-Off Program became a reality on January 1, 1995, with the initiation of the broiler program. The egg program was launched 15 months later on April 1, 1996.
Shrinking departmental budgets for applied poultry research, combined with the federal agencies’ (USDA, NSF, NIH) targeted support of basic work, has created a dilemma of sorts in the Land Grant University system. That is, the need for applied work in poultry science remains great, but resources continue to diminish. The Research Check-Off Program not only provides precious financial support aimed at solving today’s “real world” problems, but also gives the Pennsylvania poultry industry a direct portal into Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences as evidenced by the fact that, to date, scientists from the Departments of Poultry Science, Food Science, Veterinary Science, Entomology, Agricultural & Biological Engineering, and Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology have received funding from the Program. Moreover, because the Program is industry-driven and industry-funded, problems of the highest priority are addressed in a timely manner. This translates into a “win-win” situation for all parties involved.
An update of current research will be available soon.
Robert G. Elkin,
Ph.D.
Professor and Head
Contact Eileen Thomas, 814-865-3411,
or e-mail with comments or questions ebt1@psu.edu
Page updated February 26, 2009.