UADA Veterinary Diagnostic Lab serves livestock and poultry owners, large and small
July 28, 2026
By John Lovett
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Lab acts as triage center for suspected New World screwworm samples
- Coordinates diagnostics with USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories
- Helps veterinarians, owners better understand health status of animals under their care
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Download PHOTO of UADA Veterinary Diagnostic Lab director
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Whether investigating a suspected New World screwworm case, a poultry disease outbreak or an unexplained livestock death, veterinarians first need an accurate diagnosis.
That’s where the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory comes in. From foreign viruses to insect-related health problems, the lab helps animal owners and veterinarians identify the cause of an illness or death.
“The poultry industry knows us well, but we need to do better at getting the word out about our pet and livestock capabilities,” said James Barton, DVM, director of the lab.
In addition to Arkansas clients, those in eastern Oklahoma and southern Missouri also call on the facility, which is part of the National Animal Health Laboratories Network and is equipped to perform postmortem exams on large livestock. The Division of Agriculture lab also collaborates with the Arkansas Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, a state-run facility in Little Rock, Barton noted.
“If someone in the region has a cow that died, we can perform the postmortem exam here, and then we work with labs all over the country to access the best confirmatory tests for the specific situation,” Barton said. “We examine the deceased animal and determine what tests, if any, need to be run to confirm suspected diseases.”
What about New World screwworm?
With the detection of the New World screwworm in the New Mexico and Texas in early June, the Division of Agriculture lab has become an access point for no-cost testing of suspected cases of the parasitic fly, Barton said.
The Division of Agriculture lab sends suspected New World screwworm samples to the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa, for testing. Barton also consults with veterinary entomologists in the department of entomology and plant pathology to help identify suspected specimens.
Licensed and accredited veterinarians, Barton noted, are also trained in identifying suspected New World screwworm cases.
“We’re here to be a hub to receive submissions for any sort of important animal disease,” Barton said. “Veterinarians may want the certainty that comes from a postmortem exam, especially when dealing with challenging cases.”
Working with backyard flocks
In addition to routine viral and bacterial diagnostics for commercial poultry producers, Barton said the lab can also help backyard flock owners by testing for parasite-induced diseases like coccidiosis. However, the animal owner would need to consult with their veterinarian on treatment options.
“We’re better equipped than most facilities to diagnose poultry diseases,” Barton said.
A full list of services and fees is available at the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab website.
To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit aaes.uada.edu. Follow the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station on LinkedIn and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three system campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact:
John Lovett
U of A Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
(479) 763-5929
jlovett@uada.edu