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Ames, Iowa has one the largest concentrations of animal health professionals in the world with three national animal health institutions and Iowa State University. Ames is the home of the USDA's National Animal Disease Center, the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories, and the USDA's Center for Veterinary Biologics.
Faculty from Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Animal Science work with USDA scientists on many projects. The animal health institutions in Ames have a combined annual budget of $81 million, with 1,095 scientists and technical and support staff. In addition, there are 200 graduate students conducting animal health research, 400 DVM students, and 750 animal science undergraduate student in Ames. The combination of USDA and ISU animal health resources make Ames an excellent resource for animal health.
Animal Health Research
The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) National Animal Disease Center (NADC) is the major federal center for domestic and emerging animal disease research. It is one of the world's largest animal health research facilities. The mission of the NADC is to conduct basic and applied research on selected diseases of economic importance to the U.S. livestock and poultry industries. The goal of research programs are to produce knowledge and technology to reduce economic losses of the livestock and poultry industries and the associated rural agricultural community from infectious, genetic, and metabolic diseases and to reduce or eliminate pre-harvest contamination/infections of livestock and poultry with food-borne human pathogens. The NADC opened in 1961 and consists of more that 80 buildings on 318 acres just east of Ames. It has an annual budget of $23 million, and is staffed by almost 300 people, including 56 scientists. The Center web site is www.nadc.ars.usda.gov
Animal Disease Diagnosis
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) is the nation's premier laboratory for domestic and foreign animal disease diagnosis. It is a critical component in the US's ability to defend animal populations from domestic and foreign animal diseases. The NVSL is composed of four testing laboratories (three in Ames and one on Plum Island, NY) and provides diagnosis for domestic and foreign animal diseases, diagnostic support for disease control and eradication programs, import and export testing of animals, training, and laboratory certification of selected diseases. The NVSL provides analytical services, disseminates scientific information, conducts developmental activities, and provides training. The NVSL has a $15 million annual budget, and has 210 employees, 60 of which are scientists. The Laboratory's web site is www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nvsl
Animal Vaccines and Diagnostic Test Kits
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Veterinary Services (VS) Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) is responsible for licensing safe and effective vaccines for all animals. The CVB regulates veterinary biologics (vaccines bacterins, antisera, diagnostic kits, and other products of biological origin) to ensure that the veterinary biologics available for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of animal diseases is pure, safe, potent and effective. The CVB is made up of three units, the Licensing & Policy Development unit, the Inspection and Compliance unit and the Laboratory. The CVB operates on an $11 million annual budget and has 101 employees, including 48 scientists. The CVB and NVSL share some support personnel. The CVB is located in two locations in Ames. The Center's website is www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/cvb
The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and the National Animal Disease Center (NADC), are located in Ames, Iowa. Scientists from these leading USDA agencies collaborate with Iowa State faculty and work with veterinary and public health officials throughout the world.
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