Virginia invests $13 million to expand animal health laboratories

by Jeff Ishee

Livestock production makes up about 63% of all farm cash receipts in Virginia, with poultry, beef cattle, and dairy serving as the state’s largest animal‑ag sectors.

HARRISONBURG, VA — Virginia agriculture officials marked a major upgrade to the state’s animal disease‑testing network in early September, breaking ground on expansion projects at three regional laboratories that support food safety, livestock producers, and public health.

L-R: Hobey Bauhan, VA Poultry Federation; Delegate Tony Wilt; Sec. of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier; VDACS Commissioner Charles Green Image credit: Jeff Ishee

State and local leaders joined Agriculture and Forestry Secretary Katie Frazier at the Harrisonburg Regional Animal Health Laboratory to launch the multi‑site effort, funded by a $13.1 million appropriation approved by the General Assembly in 2022. The project includes expansions at the Harrisonburg, Warrenton, and Lynchburg labs.

Frazier said the facilities play a critical role in Virginia’s multi‑billion‑dollar agricultural sector, providing diagnostic and regulatory testing for veterinarians, food manufacturers, farmers, and pet owners. VDACS operates four regional labs that conduct bacteriology, virology, serology, parasitology, pathology, molecular testing, necropsies, and food‑product safety sampling.

Commissioner Charles Green said the upgrades will add roughly 8,800 square feet of laboratory space and include dedicated rooms for PCR testing and flexible work areas designed to accommodate future technology. All labs will remain open during construction.

Virginia State Veterinarian Dr. Charlie Broaddus noted the system earned the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s highest National Animal Health Laboratory Network designation last year. He said the expansion will strengthen Virginia’s role in national disease monitoring and improve service to producers and consumers.