The new center is part of the University of Nebraska's Building a Healthier Nebraska Initiative. In 2012, the Nebraska Unicameral approved legislation to build a new center. Total cost of the project is $44.7 million, of which $4.1 million is funded with private donations.

"We are very grateful for the investment Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. is making to support a new, state-of-the-art veterinary diagnostic center, which will provide improved service to livestock producers and veterinarians throughout the region and the country," says Ronnie Green, University of Nebraska vice president of agriculture and natural resources.

"This partnership helps to bring attention to this high-priority fundraising initiative and the opportunity to be involved. We're also very pleased to be the primary beef diagnostic lab partner with BIVI."

Dr. Scott King, marketing director for the U.S. cattle business segment at BIVI says, "We're proud to invest in the new veterinary diagnostic center. This investment will help ensure we are able to provide a high level of service to livestock producers and veterinarians."

Local and state representatives, as well as public and private donors, were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony.

BIVI’s support helps replace an aging facility that no longer meets modern laboratory standards. The new facility will provide testing services and hands-on training for large animal veterinarians. It is considered a national center of excellence for testing of livestock diseases, and the work done at the center impacts agriculture and public health across the country.

—From Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. news release