ISU administrators say an Ankeny-based dairy research farm is outdated and out-classed by a new facility and is being sold to the city for commercial development.

“The farm has become surrounded by urban and suburban development in Ankeny,” said Brian Meyer, program director for agriculture communications.

He said Iowa State’s two former farms, used for dairy research and teaching, are being consolidated into a single facility.

“The $23.6 million proceeds from the dairy farm will cover the entire cost of the new facility, including acquiring the land and construction of the farm itself,” said Warren Madden, vice president for business and finance.

Carl Metzger, Ankeny city manager, said the land is planned to be sold to various commercial developers in sections.

“The plan right now is for the farm to be acquired over the next three years,” he said.

Meyer said the university’s new 887-acre farm was purchased last month near the ISU Livestock Facility and Agriculture 450 Farm.

“It will be located just three miles south of the main campus area,” he said.

Madden said he estimates it could take roughly two years to complete the new facilities.

The teaching farm, located south of Towers residence halls, was closed in 2003 because of state budget cuts. Meyer said Iowa State used the farm for approximately 100 years with limited renovations.

“Both of these facilities are very old and out of date,” he said, referring to the teaching farm and the recently sold research farm. “We think the new place will be a more current, state-of-the-art farm with modern technology.”

Agriculture students are looking forward to the completion of the new facilities.

“Having a big farm this close to campus with the needed technology will be a great learning experience,” said Judy Craig, junior in animal science. “The old dairy farm was too old and too far away.”

Meyer said the university has used the dairy farm since the 1940s.

“I think the new farm will be a huge benefit for students and faculty,” Craig said.

The Board of Regents is expected to approve the sale in June, and the university has made preliminary approval for the construction of the new farm, Madden said.

“Construction bids for the new farm should start in late September of this year,” Madden said.

Metzger said the dairy farm’s 1,031 acres will be divided into thirds, selling one-third of the property per year.

The city itself will not directly pay for the land — instead, a private developer should directly pay Iowa State for the property, then sell the property in sections to other developers.