Contact: Jackie Ditsworth, Graphic Designer, Iowa Cattlemen's Association, (515)296-2266.
(Clive, Iowa) January 17, 2023 – The statement below can be attributed to Iowa Pork Producers Association President Kevin Rasmussen, a farmer from Goldfield, and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association President Bob Noble of Riceville.
“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.
“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.”
Background
Construction of the front end of a new Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory 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.
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. Having all functions under one roof will improve efficiency and support biosafety by eliminating the need to shuttle samples from one building to another.
The Governor’s $40 million comes from American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The Governor has recommended in her budget that the legislature approve $20 million for the project that would come from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF).
About the Iowa Cattlemen's Association: The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association represents nearly 8,000 beef-producing families and associated companies dedicated to the future of Iowa’s beef industry. ICA’s mission is “Grow Iowa’s beef business through advocacy, leadership and education.” www.iacattlemen.org.