The new Combined State Laboratories in Bozeman officially opened Friday, creating a centralized facility for veterinary diagnostics, agricultural testing and wool research that state and university officials say will improve services for producers and students across Montana.
The facility at 1969 W. Garfield St., near South 19th Avenue and Lincoln Street, brings together three previously separate units: the Montana Department of Livestock’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Analytical Lab and Montana State University’s Wool Lab.
What changes for Montana residents
The consolidated building aims to speed sample processing, expand testing capacity and strengthen collaboration among agencies that monitor animal health, food safety and environmental impacts. Officials emphasized benefits for:
- Livestock producers who rely on quicker diagnostic turnaround to manage disease and protect herd health.
- Crop and environmental stakeholders needing analytical services for feed, fertilizer, pesticides and groundwater.
- Sheep producers and students who use wool quality and genetic evaluation services to improve flock performance.
The Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, provides disease identification and helps detect zoonotic threats that can affect public health and the safety of animal products such as milk and eggs.
| Lab | Main Services |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Diagnostic Lab | Disease testing, zoonotic surveillance, support for vets and wildlife managers |
| Analytical Lab | Testing for feed, fertilizer, pesticides and environmental samples |
| Wool Lab | Wool testing, genetics, research, student training |
Funding and timeline
The project was funded through appropriations passed by the Montana Legislature during its 2021 and 2023 sessions and through the Montana Board of Regents’ approval of university land for the site. The combined facility represents the culmination of a long-planned effort to consolidate services that historically operated in separate locations.
MSU’s Wool Lab, established in 1947, will continue serving producers across the region while also providing hands-on training to animal science students. The Analytical Lab will support regulatory programs and research, and the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab will continue statewide disease surveillance work with veterinarians, producers and government agencies.
Officials from Montana State University, the Department of Livestock and the Department of Agriculture marked the grand opening Friday with a ribbon-cutting and remarks outlining plans for coordinated operations and outreach to producers across Montana.
For Montana farmers, ranchers and students, the combined facility aims to be a single point of access for testing, research and expertise that affects animal health, product safety and agricultural competitiveness.
