Animal Health

Minnesota’s animal health industry is firmly established as a leader in the global market, with ever-present opportunities to further grow its reputation and position.

In 2001, the industry directly employed nearly 15,000 professionals to manage the state’s several million farm animals.

More than 1,100 animal health companies—including Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health, Bayer Animal Health, Epitopix, ProtaTek, and Willmar Poultry—produce products for livestock, food animals, and companion animals that range from feed additives and vaccines to imaging devices and feed management systems.

The state currently boasts:

• One of the world’s most advanced animal surveillance systems, with models recognized by international organizations such as the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
• Private sector strength in human health industries and animal health industries, with an opportunity for synergistic research, development, and discovery
• Excellent animal science and veterinary programs, particularly the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resources Sciences, ranked among the Top 10 agriculture colleges in the world

With the existing solid infrastructure and key players poised to integrate the strengths of Minnesota’s human and animal health industries, the state is fast-becoming a wide open frontier for innovation and achievement. Elk Run provides a strategically positioned, optimally incentivized location for animal health companies looking to seize upon the growing opportunity in this industry and this region.

The Bottom Line

Tower Investments, LLC, the developer of Elk Run, highly values the groundbreaking work in the animal health industry, and places a special emphasis on making Elk Run a home for companies large and small.

Additionally, Minnesota has one of the most stable and educated workforces in the country and remains a business-friendly, affordable place to relocate.

Resources and Relationships

Within 15 minutes of Rochester, home of the Mayo Clinic and IBM, and approximately one hour from the University of Minnesota and the Twin Cities, the Biobusiness Park at Elk Run offers access to:

• unparalleled animal health expertise and research & development support
• rapid prototyping and manufacturing services
• supercomputing facilities
• a worldwide logistics network