Contact
New Bolton Center Kennett Square, PA
Emergencies & Appointments:
610-444-5800
Directions
Ryan Hospital Philadelphia, PA
Emergencies:
215-746-8911
Appointments:
215-746-8387
Directions
Dr. Tom Parsons evaluating swine, Penn Vet Swine Center

Swine Welfare & Sustainability


Under the leadership of Dr. Tom Parsons, Penn Vet's Swine Teaching & Research Center supports swine operations through applied research in the areas of swine reproduction, swine welfare and behavior, and swine production medicine.

Since its inception in January 2001, this innovative living farm has been a crucial resource to the pork industry - in Pennsylvania and around the globe - by serving as a model for scalable, sustainable swine production. In addition to its hallmark expertise in advancing welfare-centric practices, the center provides on-farm outreach services to help producers optimize and ensure viability of their farm businesses.

  • Outreach Activities

    Today’s pork producers face many challenges, from producing a socially acceptable product to balancing business operations with the realities of production.

    By implementing their practical, scalable, and science-backed expertise, Penn Vet's Swine Welfare and Sustainability experts provide outreach services focusing on sustainable, value-added practices to increase on-farm productivity and ensure the economic viability of the farm.

    These consultative services are available in the following areas:

    + Implementation of Sustainable Practices (Organic, Antibiotic Free, Welfare-Friendly)
    + Swine Production Health Strategies
    + Animal Housing and Feed Systems
    + Business Optimization and Strategic Planning

    Interested in learning more about Penn Vet's Swine Welfare and Sustainability outreach services? Contact Dr. Thomas Parsons...

  • Research

    Originally built to create a "living farm" demonstration herd to exploring practical and sustainable alternatives to the commercially traditional gestation stall, the Penn Vet Swine Teaching and Research Center installed its first electronic sow feeding (ESF) system in 2001.

    Today, the Penn ESF system is feeding more than 200,000 sows on 65 family-owned and company-owned farms across the United States and Canada.

    While several viable alternatives to the gestation stall exist, a producer’s choice should complement a farm's specific needs and capabilities.

    Learn more about how Penn Vet herd health experts can assist in production optimization system decisions...

  • Educational Opportunities at Penn Vet

    From a re-imagined veterinary curriculum focused on offering graduates novel opportunities through enhanced, dual degrees to a first-of-its-kind online graduate certificate, Penn Vet offers numerous research and educational opportunities for aspiring veterinarians to established animal, human and/or environmental health professionals.

    Learn more about what graduate, certificate, and research programs are available...

Leadership
Tom Parsons, Penn Vet, New Bolton Center, swine
Staff
Cheryl O'Sullivan, BA, MA
  • Financial Admin. Coordinator
Research
Dr. Maria Camila Ceballos, New Bolton Swine Unit
  • Maria Camila Ceballos, PhD
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Sanne Roelofs, Penn Vet Swine Center
  • Sanne Roelofs, PhD
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow