Dr. Karen Schwean Lardner

Karen Schwean-Lardner hails from Herbert, Saskatchewan. She earned a B.Sc. in Animal Science from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) in 1984, after which, she worked in the livestock feed industry for seven years. She joined Dr. Henry Classen’s poultry research team at the U of S, and while working full-time, completed her M.Sc. studying alternative housing systems for laying hens. She also completed a Ph.D. investigating the impact of daylength on broiler chicken welfare and production while managing the U of S Poultry Research and Teaching Centre.

 
Dr. Schwean-Lardner’s role at the U of S shifted in 2014 when she became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science with a teaching and research focus on poultry production, behaviour, and welfare. In 2022, she advanced to a Full Professor and continues to oversee a research team that examines the impact of poultry management on productivity and bird welfare. Karen’s goal has always been to conduct timely and relevant research for poultry producers and industry partners with direct applications to industry. The daylength requirements for broiler chickens were adopted by the largest breeding company in the world and improves the welfare for over 15 billion broilers annually, which is an impressive accomplishment! Her research recommendations on poultry lighting, transportation, and beak trimming are incorporated into the National Farm Animal Care Council’s Codes of Practice, which provides care and handling guidance for every Canadian poultry farm. 

In addition to practical research outcomes, Karen dedicates her time to scientific organizations such as the Poultry Science Association and the World’s Poultry Science Canada Branch and serves on several welfare advisory boards for large poultry producing companies in North America, including Maple Leaf in Canada, and Costco and Cargill in the United States. Karen has authored or coauthored numerous scientific manuscripts and is a highly sought speaker at conferences throughout the world.

Karen’s graduate students leave her research program as trained and highly qualified individuals ready to contribute and positively impact the poultry industry in Saskatchewan, across the country and around the world. Dr. Karen Schwean-Lardner’s influence on the poultry industry is significant and will continue through her research program and the contributions of her students.