Clay Center, Nebraska: Tour: U.S. Meat Animal Research Center

Almost everyone who visits this place is in the livestock business -- but you, too, can get a van-only tour of the world that keeps America fed with meat.

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center

Address:: Spur 18D, Clay Center, NE
Directions:: Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. I-80 west to Aurora exit, south on Hwy 14 about 18 miles to Hwy 6. Turn right (west) for three miles to Hwy 14. Turn left (south) onto Hwy 14 for four miles to Clay Center. At the blinking stoplight turn right (west) onto Spur 18D for four miles. On the north (right) side of the road; check in at front desk of Building 1.
Hours:: By appt only. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:: 402-762-4100

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Tour: U.S. Meat Animal Research Center

If two-headed pigs and 6-legged steers fascinate you, consider an educational visit to the US Meat Animal Research Center. They probably don't have those oddities, but you can get an inside peek at the complicated world of keeping America fed with meat. Tasty, healthy meat.

There are thousands of cows, sheep, and pigs at this government facility, where scientists fret about... Spoilage bacteria! Foodborne illness! Contamination! Carcasses and pathogens! More efficient breeding!

Did we make it sound really exciting? Sorry. Almost everyone who visits is in the livestock business. Tours are "windshield only" now, which means that you're not allowed to leave the tour van. We were told that the reason for this is "biosecurity."

Ever since we saw their brochure in the Nebraska tourism racks, we've wanted to check it out....

[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 09/24/2007]