04/14/2002

Meat Science Laboratory and Beef Teaching Unit Planned

AUBURN, Ala.– Plans are well underway for a new $7 million meat science laboratory and beef teaching unit at Auburn University, and donations from several sources, including a $200,000 contribution from the Alabama Farmers Federation, are providing much needed money to equip this new, high-tech facility.

According to Lowell Frobish, head of the AU Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences (ADS), the new facility will be constructed at the intersection of Wire Road and Shug Jordan Parkway on the Auburn campus. It will include state-of-the-art buildings and equipment and 144 acres for beef teaching and research that will benefit students and producers alike.

Jerry Newby, president of the Alabama Farmers Federation, said he's pleased that his organization is helping fund a program that will help farmers.

"Beef cattle production is a vital part of the agriculture economy in Alabama," Newby said. "Beef producers are one of the many commodity groups that the Alabama Farmers Federation represents. This facility will utilize the best technology available to help our existing producers and will train students who will be our leaders of the beef industry in the future."

Frobish stated that this new facility is badly needed for Auburn to remain competitive in the muscle food and beef industry. "Our current facilities are outdated and in terrible disrepair," said Frobish. "Some 250 students, almost 30 ADS faculty members and thousands of producers and meat industry representatives in the state rely on these facilities for education, research and outreach programs, but in their current state we are sorely limited in their use."

Alabama is home to approximately 1.5 million head of cattle and 170,000 head of swine, not to mention numerous other livestock enterprises. Though Auburn already is a national leader in the meats and animal science fields, Frobish said these new buildings will help AU better address the needs of the meat and livestock industry and consumers.

"The new facility is not only beneficial from a research and teaching standpoint, but will also add to the aesthetics of the campus. The buildings will be located on a hill that overlooks campus and their location on one of the most traveled corridors to the Auburn campus will give great exposure to our agricultural program," Frobish added.

The push for a new facility began in 1994 when the Alabama Cattlemen's Executive Committee met in Auburn and discovered first-hand the poor condition of the current facilities.

According to Billy Powell, executive director of the Alabama Cattleman's Association, building this new facility is the most significant thing that has happened for Alabama's beef cattle industry in 40 years.

"By making this commitment to beef teaching and meat science, Auburn can continue to be in the lead on research and education that will benefit Alabama's $2 billion beef industry," said Powell. He noted that Alabama's beef cattle industry, which includes some 26,000 farm operations, is second behind broilers for cash receipts to Alabama farmers and has a major economic impact on the state.

"This new unit is something that we started working on six years," continued Powell. "We were fortunate to get enough money to build a new meat facility and incorporate in a beef teaching facility. We also are excited that the University was able to locate it on a site that will make an attractive and highly visible entrance into Auburn that highlights agriculture," he added.

"This is an important project for the future of Auburn if it is to maintain a position as a provider of qualified professionals for both the beef and meat industries," said Ann Hollingsworth, president of Better Built Foods in Georgia and immediate past president of the American Meat Science Association. "The current facilities do not meet acceptable industry standards. Both industries are becoming increasingly complex and demand students with a working knowledge of state-of-the art technologies. These new facilities will provide the ability to better prepare students for a future in either industry as well as allow the faculty to partner with industry in solving the challenges facing the meat and livestock sectors through the application of knowledge gained as a result of realistic, timely research. Newly elected president elect of Institute of Food Technologists.

Initial funding for the facility came through the Agricultural Bond Initiative, which was passed by Alabama citizens in 1999. Those monies will cover $6,052,000 of the cost. However, an additional $985,000 is needed to complete the project, and this money must come from donors and other sources outside the university and the Bond Issue funds.

Chris Gary, director of development for the College of Agriculture, said the additional funding must be secured before construction can begin, so an intensive fund-raising campaign is underway. With the $200,000 from the Alabama Farmers Federation and a $12,000 pledge from the Walker County Farmer's Federation, the fund is well on the way to meeting these needs, but more donations are needed. Gary said they hope to have enough funding committed before late spring 2002 when a groundbreaking ceremony is planned. Anyone interested in donating money or equipment to the project can contact Gary at 317 South College Street, Auburn University 36849, 334-844-1136.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
Contact Katie Jackson, 334-844-5886 or smithcl@auburn.edu

04/14/02