Iowa Governor Announces Funding for ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Lab

(Office of Gov. Kim Reynolds)

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced $40 million in funding from American Rescue Plan Act dollars to help complete Phase 2 of Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL).  She has also proposed an additional $20M in her budget from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF)—$10M in FY24 and $10M in FY25—to total $60M in state support for the VDL project in a release from her office.

Construction of the front end of a new VDL in Ames is scheduled to be finished this year. The $75-million Phase 1 of the project does not cover the majority of the lab’s operations, Iowa Pork Producers Association noted in a statement. Phase 2, which is expected to cost $62.5 million, would provide an additional 70,000 square feet for laboratory testing, research and support functions. 

“Pig farmers and cattle producers across Iowa are extremely grateful Governor Kim Reynolds is providing significant financial support to upgrade Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab and we hope the Iowa legislature will join her in providing additional funding, as she has proposed," said Iowa Pork Producers Association President Kevin Rasmussen, a farmer from Goldfield, in a joint statement with Iowa Cattlemen’s Association President Bob Noble of Riceville.

Gov. Reynolds explained that the VDL is critical to support and protect not only the Iowa agriculture industry and food supply, but the U.S. as well.

“The new state-of-the-art facility will keep Iowa State at the forefront in helping recognize foreign animal diseases that threaten the nation’s food supply well into the future. We sincerely appreciate her efforts and willingness to keep animal and human health as top priorities," Rasmussen and Noble said in a release.

This investment will significantly expand the VDL’s capacity to support Iowa’s $32.5 billion animal agriculture industry and will keep this nationally-recognized lab on the forefront of cutting-edge technology, Reynolds said in the release. 

“We are deeply grateful to Governor Reynolds for allocating these critical resources to construct Phase 2 of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory," Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen said in a release. "This funding will help ensure the VDL can continue to provide cutting-edge services and support to Iowa’s livestock and poultry producers."

The state's close relationship with the VDL has been essential in implementing the state's response to the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said they rely on the VDL's recommendations as Iowa continues to enhance foreign animal disease preparedness. 

Editor's Note: Fully accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, the VDL provides quality diagnostic services for animal species, including necropsy, bacteriology, serology, histopathology, virology, parasitology, molecular diagnostics, and toxicology as well as offering analytical services. The full-service laboratories at the VDL process upwards of 100,000 cases each year and conducts more than a million tests annually. 

 

Latest News

Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections
Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to reinstate rules protecting endangered plants and animals, action that would reverse changes made during the Trump Administration that weakened the Endangered Species Act.

Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors
Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors

EPDs from multiple breeds can be compared by adding/subtracting the appropriate adjustment factors to the EPDs resulting from the most recent genetic evaluations for each of 18 breeds.

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims
USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants can donate emergency grazing authority to ranchers in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas impacted by recent wildfires.

New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows
New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows

A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions.