The USDA Regional Laboratory for Animal Disease Research

The USDA Regional Laboratory for Animal Disease Research. . , On this site in 1939, the Regional Laboratory for Animal Disease Research (RLADR) was established at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API) during Dr. Luther Duncan's presidency. The US Congressional Act of 1935 (PL 74-182) called for the establishment of agricultural research labs in regions throughout the US. Each lab was to investigate agricultural problems associated with each region. Sites selected were in AL, NY, PA, SC, MI, ID, IL, CA, and MD. API researchers chose parasitic and infectious diseases of domestic animals of the southern states for research emphasis. API donated 40 acres adjacent to its College of Veterinary Medicine for the RLADR complex. Construction began in 1937 and included a main lab building, two buildings for small animals, autopsy room, cattle barn, horse barn, isolation barns for cattle, isolation shelter for dogs and cats, and shower/dressing room area for workers., (Continued from other side) , B.T. Simms, DVM (API, 1910), supervised a staff of 11 veterinarians and parasitologists. A governing board from 13 southern states (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, and VA) selected by the Bureau of Animal Industry oversaw the research mission of the RLADR. Initial studies focused on bovine coccidiosis, internal parasites of cattle, and Johne's disease. The first publication from the RLADR described a coccidian parasite of calves, aptly named, Eimeria auburnensis. The USDA's RLADR closed at this site in 1971 when a modern USDA facility was opened next to the College of Veterinary Medicine, located one mile to the west. The older facility continued to be used by the university as a biological research facility until the entire complex was razed in 2007.