New agricultural lab to serve state

Oklahoma City, Okla. - 8/29/2007 - Construction of an $11.3-million laboratory at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry broke ground, beginning the yearlong project that will increase biosecurity efforts and testing capabilities.

The 37,593 square-foot facility will allow the department to expand from their current duties - analyzing agricultural products including livestock and fertilizers, and testing for animal diseases such as brucellosis, pseudorabies and Equine Infectious Anemia - to include testing for additional diseases, most notably rabies, and analysis of pesticides and dangerous agents, like anthrax, says Jack Carson, agency spokesperson.

"We're excited about getting under way on construction of our new agricultural laboratory during our Centennial Year celebration," says Terry Peach, Oklahoma secretary of agriculture. "I appreciate Gov. Henry putting this project in his 2006 budget so we can begin our next 100 years protecting Oklahoma's citizens and agricultural industry with 21st century technology."

Slated for completion in the fall 2008, the new laboratory will have increased biosafety, enabling the testing of more advanced agents and diseases. Serving a wide range of department needs, the lab is utilized by the Environmental Management Services Division to test water samples from wells and lagoons; the seed lab tests samples for noxious weeds, germination, identification and vigor; and the Oklahoma Bureau of Standards tests and calibrates weights used to check scales for goods bought and sold in the state.