Dairymen to continue fundraising efforts, UI will work to maintain partnership

By CAROL RYAN DUMAS
Capital Press

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter opened the 2010 legislative session with some bad news for Idaho's livestock sector.

Otter said he wants to cut $40 million from state spending and delay the state's commitment of $10 million for the Idaho National Center for Livestock and Environmental Studies.

Idaho legislators in 2007 appropriated $10 million for the center at the governor's request. Now that money's on hold.

"We're not surprised under today's current economic stress that the governor would delay funding for a short period of time," said Bob Naerebout, executive director of Idaho Dairymen's Association.

"This does not jeopardize the future of the facility or our commitment to fundraising for the facility," he said.

The dairy industry was not aware of the hold on funding before Otter's announcement in his State of the State address. But the funding freeze might delay moving the Idaho State Department of Ag's diagnostic lab from Boise to the center, he said.

Rich Garber, director of industry and government relations for the University of Idaho's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, said the university understands the economic pressure the governor is under and his decision.

"We will continue to work with the governor and the Legislature throughout this session to maintain this partnership," he said. "Maintaining that partnership with the state will be critical."

The university is currently considering sites for the facility and there is no timeline for when the facility will open.

The university feels the center is important, not just for the livestock industry, but for the state and the money it will pump into the state, he said.

The research center, to be located near Twin Falls, would include the center for livestock and environmental studies; a 1,500-dairy-cow and beef cattle livestock facility; and a joint veterinary, research, teaching and diagnostic laboratory operated by the University of Idaho and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.

Preliminary estimates price the facilities at about $25 million, Garber said.

Through the Independent Dairy Environmental Action League Foundation, the dairy industry has committed $5 million. The Idaho Legislature appropriated $10 million for the project in 2007.

Funding for the remainder of the project will be through the university's agriculture college endowment. In 2007, the university successfully sought federal legislation to allow use of the endowment for acquisition of research facilities for university use.