LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky will receive an additional $26.7 million in federal funding for construction of an agricultural research facility focused on forage and animal production, bringing total federal support for the project to more than $102 million over several years.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the latest funding for the Agricultural Research Service Forage-Animal Production Unit at UK, according to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The allocation follows $65.9 million secured in fiscal year 2020 and another $10 million in fiscal year 2026, for a combined total of $102.6 million.

The facility, which broke ground in May 2023, is targeted for completion in 2026 and will encompass approximately 52,600 square feet of office, laboratory, and collaborative research space.

"I'm honored to have helped secure funding for the establishment and construction of this project over the years, and it's great to see this final piece go into place for Kentucky's leading agricultural research lab," McConnell said.

The investment is expected to strengthen UK's agricultural research infrastructure and expand research aimed at improving productivity and competitiveness for Kentucky farmers and livestock producers. The Forage-Animal Production Research Unit is part of USDA's Agricultural Research Service, the department's primary in-house research agency.

Research involving forage and livestock production has particular importance for Kentucky's agricultural economy. Kentucky is home to 1.8 million cattle and calves and is the largest beef-producing state east of the Mississippi River. The state also houses over 254 million broilers and ranks 8th nationally in beef cattle inventory.

UK President Eli Capilouto called the funding a "transformative step forward" for the project. "The University of Kentucky is deeply grateful to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for this significant investment in agricultural research," Capilouto said.

"This funding represents a transformative step forward for the Agricultural Research Service Forage-Animal Production Unit and reinforces Kentucky's position as a national leader in agricultural innovation."

McConnell described the $26.7 million as the final piece of federal funding needed for construction. Beyond the construction investment itself, the facility is expected to enhance Lexington's concentration of university and federal agricultural research while supporting one of Kentucky's largest economic sectors.