Janice Siegford

Dr. Janice Siegford is Professor and Associate Chair for Graduate Programs and Research in Michigan State University's Department of Animal Science. Her research program investigates animal behavior and welfare in production systems, with emphasis on precision livestock farming (PLF) applications for swine and poultry.

Key research areas include:

• Development of automated behavior monitoring systems using 3D imaging and computer vision
• Genetic and environmental influences on stress resilience in swine
• Welfare assessment of laying hens in cage-free aviary systems

Recent publications analyze stress response phenotypes in pigs and optimization of aviary designs for poultry. She leads multi-institutional projects on PLF technology adoption in swine production, funded by USDA grants exceeding $1 million. Her lab employs accelerometry, depth sensors, and machine learning to quantify behavior non-invasively.