Swine Center
Due to strict requirements for biosecurity, we cannot allow visitors to our animal facilities without special permission.
Please call or write before you plan a trip or if you have questions about our farms and facilities:
- AskDAS@psu.edu
- 814-863-3665
- FAX: 814-863-6042
The Penn State Swine Center, with a herd of 75 purebred Yorkshire sows, is a major contributor to teaching and research at Penn State.
Education comprises the majority of the demand for the pigs and the facilities at the Swine Center. This includes the following courses:
- Ag 150 - Be a Master Student
- An Sc 306 - Swine Management and Production
- An Sc 324 - Value Determination of Meat Animals
- An Sc 419 - Animal Welfare
- An Sc 418 - Nutrient Management in Agricultural Systems
- An Sc 424 - Livestock Breeding Evaluation and Selection
- An Sc 426 - Advanced Judging and Selection
The swine facilities are located on Porter Road just down the hill from Beaver Stadium. The main swine facility consists of a feed manufacturing and storage area, and three wings that house pigs: one wing is used for housing and breeding replacement females (gilts), and the other two wings are used for growing pigs. The "Nebraska Barn," named after the design, houses growing pigs and sows. The newest facility, built in 1998, has two rooms for sows to give birth (farrow) and two accompanying nursery rooms to house pigs when they are weaned from the sow. There are also about two dozen pasture lots, which are used primarily to house sows during gestation.
