Dr. Karen Schwean-Lardner of the University of Saskatchewan has been honored with the Farm Animal Welfare Leadership Award from Animal Health Canada for her influential work improving the well-being and productivity of commercial poultry. Her research has reshaped management practices for meat-type birds, creating measurable benefits for billions of animals around the world.
Schwean-Lardner’s studies have had a sweeping impact on poultry welfare, guiding advancements that affect an estimated 30 billion broilers every year. Beyond her research, she has advised major food companies, contributed to national Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals, and led the Poultry Science Association as its president. Her dedication to education is evident in more than 80 peer-reviewed publications, over 100 industry presentations, and years of mentoring graduate and undergraduate students who are now emerging as leaders in animal welfare.
Her excellence as an educator was also recognized with the 2025 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Educator Award, underscoring her commitment to both scientific progress and teaching. Schwean-Lardner received the Farm Animal Welfare Leadership Award during Animal Health Canada’s annual forum in Ottawa, where leaders from across the country gather to share initiatives that strengthen animal health and welfare standards. This recognition highlights her role in advancing animal care practices and fostering trust within Canadian agriculture and beyond.
