Welcome Chandlar Kern!

My name is Chandlar Kern, and I am a Penn State Extension Livestock Educator working with beef producers across Pennsylvania. While my primary focus is serving York County and the surrounding region, I work closely with Penn State Extension's livestock team to provide education and support statewide. I look forward to working directly with producers to support profitable, practical, and science-based decision-making on the farm.

I earned both my MS and PhD in Animal Science from Penn State, where my graduate research focused on reproductive biology in cattle, including how male factors influence fertilization and early embryo development. Although this work was conducted in a research setting, it was grounded in practical production questions: how fertility is influenced by management, where inefficiencies arise, and how small improvements in reproductive success can lead to meaningful gains in herd productivity and profitability.

Beyond research, I have raised Angus and Maine cattle with my family for more than 15 years in a cow/calf operation and now also help manage my husband's family's Simmental-based herd. Managing these operations has provided firsthand experience with the realities of running a cow/calf business, from balancing feed and labor to making breeding decisions and managing herd health. That experience shapes how I approach Extension work and helps ensure the information I share is practical and applicable on the farm.

As an Extension educator, my priority is to provide programming and support that reflect the diversity of Pennsylvania beef operations. With wide variation in herd size, management style, and available resources across the state, one-size-fits-all recommendations rarely work.

Pennsylvania's beef industry is unique in that many operations are part of diversified farms, rely heavily on pasture-based systems, and operate with limited labor. Producers are often balancing cattle alongside crops, off-farm employment, or multiple enterprises, making efficiency and risk management especially important. Extension programming must reflect these realities by focusing on strategies that are realistic to implement, economically sound, and adaptable to individual operations.

In my Extension role, I place a strong emphasis on applied education that producers can use immediately. Whether through workshops, field demonstrations, or one-on-one conversations, my goal is to provide information that supports better decisions without adding unnecessary complexity. When recommendations involve additional labor, time, or investment, those tradeoffs need to be clearly understood so producers can determine what fits their operation.

One area I am particularly interested in expanding is reproductive management in beef herds, including the practical use of artificial insemination (AI). When used appropriately, AI can be an effective tool to improve genetics, tighten calving windows, and support long-term herd performance. At the same time, successful adoption depends on more than semen selection alone. Heat detection, synchronization protocols, nutrition, handling facilities, and labor availability all play a role. My goal is to provide education that considers the entire system and helps producers decide if and how AI fits their management goals.

Another focus area is record-keeping and data-driven decision-making. Tools such as RFID tags, electronic identification readers, and digital record systems can help producers track animal performance, health events, and reproductive outcomes more effectively. At the same time, technology should make management easier, not more complicated. Extension's role is to help producers evaluate which tools are worth adopting, how to integrate them into existing systems, and how to turn data into information that supports sound decision-making.

In addition to these focus areas, I will continue to support broader livestock programming in collaboration with the Penn State Extension livestock team. This includes educational programs, workshops, field days, and on-farm consultations addressing nutrition, herd health, facility design, and management practices that support both productivity and animal well-being. Working as part of a statewide team allows us to share expertise and deliver consistent, timely information to producers across Pennsylvania.

Effective Extension work depends on strong relationships with producers. Many of the most useful programs begin with conversations: questions raised at meetings, challenges discussed during farm visits, or topics that continue to surface among producers. I encourage producers to reach out, share what they are working on, and suggest areas where additional education or support would be helpful. That feedback plays an important role in shaping future programming.

You'll see me at Extension meetings, field days, and industry events across the state. If you have the opportunity, I hope you'll take a moment to introduce yourself and share what's happening in your operation. My email is chk5071@psu.edu. I look forward to getting to know Pennsylvania's beef producers and working together to support a strong, resilient, and forward-looking beef industry.

Published first in Keystone Cattlemen's Magazine.