Now Open!

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in the College of Veterinary Medicine is now operational in its new location across the parking lot from Patterson Hall.

Construction on the $75 million first phase of the VDL began in March 2021 and became operational March 11 when client services, receiving/accessioning, sample processing, necropsy, pathology, histopathology, bacteriology, and the incinerator moved over to the new building from its previous location in Patterson Hall.

Construction on the second phase of the new VDL is scheduled to begin this spring with a 2026 completion date anticipated. The remaining VDL sections (molecular diagnostics, genetic sequencing, virology, serology, analytical chemistry, toxicology, biosafety level 3 laboratory, diagnostic research and development, information technology and quality assurance, and administrative offices) will continue to operate in their current Patterson Hall location until Phase 2 construction is completed.

Iowa State’s VDL has been a national leader in protecting animal and human health since it was established in 1947. The facility has the largest food animal caseload in the United States while serving the most progressive livestock and poultry producers in the world. The facility annually sees more than 120,000 cases and conducts 1.6 million tests.

Construction for Phase 1 was made possible through a $63.5 million appropriation from the State of Iowa with the remaining funding coming from private donors and Iowa State University.

The Iowa Legislature provided an additional $18 million for Phase 2 construction. This is in addition to $40 million from funds directed to Iowa in the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Fundraising and Iowa State University funding will make up the rest of the proposed $66.5 million project.

A dual ceremony will be held Thursday, April 4, to dedicate Phase 1 and break ground on Phase 2.

March 2024