By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

MARTIN, Tenn. — Volunteer State agriculture officials along with those from the University of Tennessee (UT) gathered on May 22 to open the West Tennessee Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at UT Martin.

The lab is a satellite facility of C.E. Kord Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory operated by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) in Nashville. Another regional laboratory operating independently is located at UT College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville.

Gov. Phil Bredesen, who was represented by Tennessee Ag Commissioner Ken Givens at the dedication, said the center will provide important services to the area.

“The new West Tennessee Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory is a prime example of how the Agricultural Enhancement Program is making a positive difference for our state,” said Bredesen. “I’m proud to join the Department of Agriculture in supporting this facility, which for the first time will make critical disease diagnostic and reporting services readily accessible to West Tennessee veterinarians, farmers and pet owners.”

According to the TDA, the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) “supports agriculture in the state by providing cost share funds to producers for long-term investments in their livestock and farming operations. These cost share programs help producers maximize farm profits, adapt to current market situations, and prepare for the future. In addition, this program also allows producers to make positive economic impacts in their communities. The TAEP is funded through an appropriation for farm development in the state’s budget.”

In late 2006 the TDA and UT-Martin announced a partnership that would improve cattle management and health in West Tennessee by way of a high-tech, mobile trailer which was funded by the TAEP. The facility is used to educate and demonstrate proper cattle management and care. Three-quarters of a million TAEP dollars funded renovations and equipment for the new laboratory in fiscal year 2006.

Dr. Joseph DiPietro, UT vice president for agriculture stood in for UT President John Petersen at the ceremony and said with the opening of the 2,200 square foot lab, the state now has facilities in both eastern and western regions of the state that can do everything from monitor animal health to adding security to the food supply.

“With the establishment of the West Tennessee Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab at UT Martin, each region of the state is now equipped to identify and monitor animal health concerns such as foreign animal disease, herd disease outbreaks, secure the safety of the food supply, maximize animal health and assure public health,” he said. “The lab will also further the commitment to increased communication among the public, producers and veterinarians in West Tennessee.”

UT-Martin Chancellor Tom Rakes said, “This is a great example of our continuing partnership with the state to ensure an increased level of special services to those within our region. We are fortunate to have this unique laboratory facility located in West Tennessee.
The main function of the facility will be to provide post-mortem tissue collection services only whether it is a farm animal or someone’s pet. Samples will be shipped overnight to Kord laboratory, where all definitive diagnoses will be made by state veterinary pathologists. Veterinarians, producers and West Tennessee residents will be able to submit animals to the facility for necropsies (autopsies.)

Dr. Janet Bailey, assistant professor/veterinarian at UT Martin serves as the facility manager and said the lab will be an asset to that area of the state for many reasons.

“The laboratory will serve the veterinarians, the producers, and the residents of West Tennessee. It will provide our veterinarians with another avenue to serve their producers and clients,” she said.
“It will provide our producers with an animal disease diagnostics laboratory close to home, and it will serve the residents of West Tennessee by being on the forefront of diagnosing herd health outbreaks and animal diseases in this region.”

For more information about the West Tennessee Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, call 731-881-1071.