01/22/08 Livestock center project expanded

The University of Idaho has asked the State Board of Education for 750 thousand dollars for planning and designing the Livestock Center in the Magic Valley. U of I's Rich Garber says the project has been expanded to include to other components. GARBER "Build a facility that would house both the state diagnostic lab and the Caine Veterinary Research and Teacher Center that we have out in Caldwell. Because of encroachment issues we're going to have to have to relocate the Caine center anyway. It just made sense that Caine and ISDA be a part of that." The legislature has already committed ten million dollars toward the project and federal legislation has already been approved to allow the sale of endowment lands to pay for part of the project. Garber says they are about a year ahead of schedule but still looking for a site in the Magic Valley. GARBER "The Idaho Department of Lands they'll be responsible both for selling any endowment lands that we might sell as well as purchasing additional property for the research center." The Idaho dairy industry has pledged five million dollars for the center. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott