Livestock and Poultry Environment Livestock and Poultry Environment Research and extension efforts in animal housing environmental control are primarily directed at ventilation issues. Ventilation has a major impact on air quality within livestock structures and poor ventilation system management is correlated with compromised animal health and productivity. Annually, Dr. Wheeler conducts about a dozen all-day workshops for agricultural professionals which target specifics of poultry, swine, veal calf, dairy, horse or greenhouse environmental control.
Workshops emphasize principles of ventilation along with winter and summer ventilation strategies.
Current Research Program Facility Designs and Management Practices for Dairy-Beef and Veal Funded by The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. In cooperation with Departments of Dairy and Animal Science and Veterinary Science. Both mechanical and natural ventilation systems are being evaluated in regards to air quality effects on calf health and growth performance. During the project's first year, intensive characterization of the total environment of six farms over at least two production cycles is being performed. Air quality is correlated with air exchange rates and air distribution methods.