Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced $40 million in funding to help complete Phase 2 of Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Reynolds says “the veterinary diagnostic lab is absolutely critical to support and protect our state and country’s agricultural industry and food supply. This investment will significantly expand the diagnostic lab’s capacity to support Iowa’s $32.5 billion dollar animal agriculture industry and will keep this nationally-recognized lab on the forefront of cutting edge technology. Iowa will remain a global leader in agriculture, combatting foreign animal diseases and recruiting and retaining veterinary talent.” The Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association issued a joint news release on the funding for the diagnostics laboratory. “Pig farmers and cattle producers across Iowa are extremely grateful to Governor Reynolds in providing significant financial support to upgrade Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and we hope the Iowa legislature will join her in providing additional funding as she has proposed.
Dr. Chris Rademacher is the Iowa State Swine Veterinarian and heads up the diagnostic laboratory. Rademacher says the existing facility is more than 50 years old. He says the case load increased so much that additional space was needed. Rademacher says the new diagnostic laboratory will assist with the recruitment of veterinary medical students. The state swine veterinarian says the new diagnostic laboratory will play a crucial role in early identification and the spread of possible animal diseases. Rademacher says the diagnostics laboratory would also be able to assist with human health diseases when necessary..
