Introduction
We have a rich history of animal research
EST. 1974
We are a private and independently owned research facility located approximately 12 miles south of Amarillo, Texas.
In 1974, Dr. David Bechtol founded Palo Duro Veterinary Services with an emphasis on cattle feedlot and swine consultation. Five years later, in 1979, due to customer demand, Dr. Bechtol established PDC Research Feedlot. In 1986 Agri Research Center was officially formed.
Today, Agri Research Center LLC. continues its strong commitment to animal research. In fact we have conducted over 690 studies using state-of-the-art equipment and data recording systems.
Facilities and Capabilities
Independently Owned
This modern, well-equipped, private, and independently owned research center has proven capabilities of providing experimentally designed, and controlled, statistical research for use in pharmaceutical, biological, biotechnology, and feed additive companies.
The center is FDA inspected and maintains Good Laboratory Practices with Standard Operating Procedures for each study.
Agri Research Center’s facilities include a 3,000-head cattle feedlot, a seronegative reduced pathogen environment area, and a Grow Safe Electronic Feed Measuring System. The GrowSafe® Feed Intake Nodes, utilize radio-frequency identification (RFID tags) and measure the duration and intake for every individual feeding event.
Cattle pens are designed to be adjusted using panel dividers to meet the needs of individual projects so that headcount per pen and replication can be maximized. The reduced pathogen environment area is designed so, if necessary, personnel can shower and change clothes both into and out of the facility. (USDA approved)
The equine area includes housing for 20 horses plus utilizing the feedlot pens on larger studies. Individual weights can be obtained plus an individual chute area for evaluation and examination.
The center uses the latest equipment available for processing, weighing, and monitoring cattle for any type of research project. Using a combination of computer systems, information is compiled, on an individual animal basis and pen basis.
complete control
of the Feeding Program
A combination of scales and computers at Agri Research Center, Inc. allows the staff to have complete control of the feeding programs. To assure accurate weighing of feed and correct mixing of rations, the research facility uses three Oswalt Ensilmixers with sizes of 280, 320 and 420 cubic feet. All trucks are equipped with model omp 20 electronic scales, allowing accurate mixing for 80-pound to 10,000-pound batches of feed. A micro-ingredient machine is also used.
Production data is collected documenting average daily gain, average feed consumption, feed conversion and cost of gain. Morbidity data is compiled as well as mortality, including diagnosis from necropsies and diagnostic laboratory information. We have the capability and do collect almost any kind of biological or tissue sample and have in many studies. We can also conduct carcass and reproductive ultrasound, and collect all carcass data through a 3rd party collaboration with West Texas A&M University. We work closely with the Texas A&M University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory located about 5 miles away from our center. We also have the ability to work with the Texas Tech Veterinary program, USDA, and many other universities, producers, and feedyards. Our center can feed purebred bulls for performance evaluation records.
FDA LIASON
Agri Research Center, LLC. also provides services in the area of FDA liaison, protocol development and field research. We have the capability of conducting statistical analysis of data and compiling a complete written report of studies. If the client prefers, we can just provide the raw data from each study. We are flexible and can customize studies to meet the client’s needs.
Agri Research Center, Inc. provides the finest research and development practices in the industry. Welcome you to give us a call or make an appointment to come see us!