State opens new diagnostic vet lab

By Megan Parker

Regional Editor

Wisconsin's new Veterinary Diagnostic Lab puts the state ahead of the curve, the lab's interim director said.

"It's a state-of-the-art facility that has a lot more room, that provides better employee safety," Peter Vanderloo said.

The new lab, at 445 Easterday Lane near the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, was dedicated Oct. 2.

The 78,000-square-foot building, which cost about $21 million, is double the size of the old lab on Mineral Point Road. The facility took two years to build.

The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Lab provides testing for production, companion, exotic and wild animals.

"We've made great strides in Wisconsin the past four years that put us in good position to strengthen our leadership position in agriculture, and the dedication here today represents one of the most important," State Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen said at the dedication.

Staff will move to the new building in early November. Mr. Vanderloo said he expects testing to be disrupted for two days.

Mr. Vanderloo said the new lab replaces a 50-year-old lab built before diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, chronic wasting disease and avian influenza existed.

The new building will have suites dedicated to those diseases.

"(The new lab) greatly increases the things that we can provide to the people that submit here," Mr. Vanderloo said.

He also said the new lab's proximity to campus will allow greater interaction with faculty and students.

State Veterinarian Robert Ehlenfeldt said the new lab will allow staff to continue quality service.

"We'll have space for developing new tests, a chance for improved collaboration with researchers and an excellent teaching opportunity for UW students," he said. "This will be a lab that we can be proud of, and that will help us continue to attract the kind of top talent that our livestock industry has come to expect."

Megan Parker may be reached at (800) 236-4004, ext. 3867 or megan.parker@ecpc.com.