Arko Labs

For professionals in Iowa's robust agriculture sector, particularly pork and poultry producers, the health and well-being of livestock are paramount to success. In Jewell, Iowa, a small town with a significant impact on animal health across the nation, ARKO Laboratories, LTD. stands as a critical partner in veterinary care. Established in 1980, ARKO Labs is not a traditional small-animal veterinary clinic for pets, but a highly specialized veterinary biologics company. It operates at the forefront of animal health by developing and manufacturing industry-leading vaccines primarily for the swine and turkey industries. This specialization positions ARKO Labs as an essential resource for large-scale agricultural operations in Iowa and beyond, focusing on preventative medicine through highly efficacious and innovative vaccine solutions.

The core mission of ARKO Labs is clear: to create a superior product at an affordable price, ensuring that producers have the necessary tools to maintain healthy, productive herds and flocks. With veterinarians on staff, the company goes beyond simply manufacturing products, providing valuable technical support and consultation to its clients. The company’s focus is on protecting against diseases that reduce livability and growth rate in swine and poultry, with an important emphasis on vaccines that contribute to overall food safety, such as their specialized products for Salmonella and E. coli. Located in the heart of the Midwest's farm country, ARKO Labs represents a commitment to supporting the local and national agricultural economy through science, innovation, and dedicated veterinary medicine.

One of the key innovations that makes ARKO Labs particularly valuable to Iowa producers is its pioneering work in modified-live vaccines that can be delivered orally or via the waterline. This method saves significant labor time and reduces stress on the animals, which is a major advantage for large-scale operations. As one of the long-standing pillars of the Jewell community, the company’s dedication is well-regarded, with delivery and business partners noting the "very nice people" and the team being "very polite and helpful," indicating a professional and friendly business environment.

Location and Accessibility

ARKO Labs' headquarters and manufacturing site are conveniently located in Central Iowa, approximately 20 miles north of Ames, making it highly accessible for agricultural partners and delivery services across the region.

The address for the facility is: 1336 Main St, Jewell, IA 50130, USA.

While the nature of ARKO Labs’ business is not that of a typical storefront veterinary clinic for family pets, the facility is equipped with accommodations for professional visitors and business operations. The accessibility features are specifically designed to facilitate business interactions, including large deliveries and pick-ups of veterinary biologics.

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot
• Wheelchair accessible restroom
• Restroom amenities are available.

The facility is geared toward commercial logistics; one reviewer noted that while the dock is not dock high, a ramp is available, and box trucks can easily maneuver, though semi-trucks may need to back in from the street—a practical observation for their delivery clients. Appointments are recommended, ensuring that the necessary technical support staff, including their on-staff veterinarians, are prepared to consult with clients.

Services Offered

ARKO Labs is highly specialized in veterinary biologics and animal health solutions, primarily for commercial use in the swine and poultry sectors. Their services are focused on preventative disease control through vaccination, technical consultation, and pioneering research and development.

• Development and Manufacturing of Swine Vaccines, including Nitro-Ileitis FF (for Ileitis), Edema Vac (for F-18 E. Coli), Entero Vac (for K-88 E. Coli), and Nitro-Sal/Nitro-Sal FD (for Salmonella choleraesuis).
• Development and Manufacturing of Turkey Vaccines, including federally licensed products for Erysipelas.
• Manufacture and Distribution of Pigeon Vaccines.
• Autogenous Vaccines on a custom contract basis for viruses, bacteria, or mycoplasma that do not respond to currently available commercial products. This is a critical tool for disease control in pigs, turkeys, and chickens.
• Value-added Technical Support and Consultation provided by on-staff veterinarians to help clients with disease management and vaccine protocols.
• Production of Oral Vaccine Stabilizer, a combination of components that protects live organisms when delivered through a watering system, preserving vaccine potency for up to six hours.
• Emphasis on Oral/Waterline Delivery Systems to provide labor-saving opportunities and reduce animal stress in large operations.

Features / Highlights

As a company with decades of history rooted in Iowa, ARKO Labs offers several unique features that distinguish its contribution to the agricultural and veterinary industries, particularly within the Midwest.

• Biologics Industry Pioneer: ARKO Labs has been recognized as an innovator, bringing the first federally licensed H.E. vaccine for turkeys to market in 1987, and the first and only live turkey Erysipelas vaccine in 1991. They also released the only federally licensed modified-live E. coli vaccines for swine in 2003.
• Modified-Live Expertise: The concentration on modified-live products is a significant feature, as these are highly effective at stimulating the comprehensive immune response required for robust, long-term protection against diseases in livestock.
• Focus on Food Safety: A primary goal is to emphasize vaccines that are potentially important in food safety, directly benefiting both the producers and the public by helping to ensure a safer food supply chain.
• Autogenous Vaccine Capacity: The federal licensing to create customer-specific autogenous vaccines (custom vaccines for individual farms) provides producers with a unique and valuable tool for tackling emerging or highly specific disease challenges.
• Strong Scientific Foundation: The company leverages technology and partnerships with institutions like Iowa State University to ensure they remain leaders in addressing new and emerging diseases in swine and turkey populations.
• Local Economic Contributor: Originally evolving from a local veterinary clinic, ARKO Labs continues to provide employment opportunities in rural Iowa, employing microbiologists, lab technicians, and veterinarians, and thereby boosting the local economy.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding swine or turkey vaccines, autogenous products, or technical support and consultation, clients are encouraged to reach out during business hours.

Address: 1336 Main St, Jewell, IA 50130, USA

Phone: (515) 827-5648

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 714-2756 (United States)

Mobile Phone: +1 515-827-5648

Email: arko@arkolabs.com

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing ARKO Labs as a supplier means selecting a dedicated, Iowa-based partner committed to animal health innovation and affordability. For commercial swine and poultry producers, the value of ARKO Labs lies in its niche specialization and its pioneering approach to vaccine delivery. The emphasis on easy-to-administer oral and waterline vaccines translates directly into reduced labor costs and less stress on animals, which are significant operational advantages in today's high-volume agriculture. Furthermore, the ability to develop custom-made autogenous vaccines ensures that producers have a solution for unique and evolving disease challenges that commercial products might not yet address. Their expertise is backed by on-staff veterinarians who offer personalized, technical consultation, allowing clients to receive expert guidance on managing their herd and flock health programs. Ultimately, ARKO Labs is a testament to the fact that high-quality, scientifically advanced veterinary solutions can be developed and manufactured right here in Iowa, continually supporting the state’s position as a global leader in agricultural production while maintaining a focus on animal well-being and food safety.

Arko Labs

1336 Main St, Jewell, IA 50130, USA