Penn Vet Swine Center Celebrates Quarter Century of Animal Welfare Innovation

The Penn Vet Swine Center at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square has reached a major milestone, its 25th anniversary. Founded by Thomas D. Parsons, the center was designed to be both a working farm and a classroom where students could learn about animal care and production.

Parsons' vision has come to fruition, with the center advancing several key innovations in pig farming. One notable example is the adoption of open-pen housing for gestating sows, which now accounts for around 80% of Pennsylvania's sow population.

The center has also had a profound impact on its students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in swine medicine and related fields. Jeremy Maurer, for example, grew up in Philadelphia with little experience with livestock but left Penn Vet with a passion for swine medicine and now works for Merck.

The center's influence extends beyond Pennsylvania as well, with its alumni holding key positions in the National Pork Board and other organizations.