Gov. Reynolds gives up to $60 million to help expand Iowa State's new veterinary lab

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Tuesday funding for the second phase of Iowa State University's new Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which is under construction but already has plans for expansion.

Iowa will give the university $40 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic relief funds, according to a news release. Reynolds also has included $10 million over the next two fiscal years in her proposed state budget, which lawmakers will vote on in the coming weeks.

"The Veterinary Diagnostic Lab is absolutely critical to support and protect our state and country’s agriculture industry and food supply,” Reynolds said in the 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. Iowa will remain a global leader in agriculture, combatting foreign animal diseases, and recruiting and retaining veterinary talent.”  

More:Kim Reynolds proposes private school scholarships for every Iowa family in Condition of the State

State lawmakers in 2018 authorized $63.5 million toward the design and construction of Iowa State's new $75 million, 72,500-square-foot veterinary diagnostic lab in Ames that's expected to open this fall.

Then in 2021, the Iowa Board of Regents approved a 69,600-square-foot addition to the lab in order to get all veterinary diagnostic programs under one roof, including laboratory testing, research space and support functions.

Each year, the lab conducts more than one million tests and processes upwards of 100,000 cases. Services include blood analysis, genetic material and tissue, necropsies, toxicology and studies of bacteria, viruses and parasites. Species served include pigs, cows, goats, sheep, birds, deer, dogs, cats, horses, camels and other hooved animals.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said in the release the state's close partnership with the lab "has been essential in implementing our response to the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak" and continues to enhance preparedness for other threats of disease.

More:Iowa State’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab lends a hand to State Hygienic Lab

Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen thanked Reynolds for allocating resources critical to building the lab's addition. Additional funding includes $1 million in gifts and $2.5 million in university funds, according to the capital projects list the Board of Regents approved in 2021.

"This funding will help ensure the VDL can continue to provide cutting-edge services and support to Iowa’s livestock and poultry producers," Wintersteen said in the release.

Phillip Sitter covers education for the Ames Tribune, including Iowa State University and PreK-12 schools in Ames and elsewhere in Story County. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com. He is on Twitter @pslifeisabeauty.