Since its very early days, WPC and its veterinarians worked closely with state and national industry groups, the University of Minnesota and the state Board of Animal Health to track and treat diseases. As turkey farming became bigger business in the area, staying ahead of disease outbreaks became increasingly difficult. In the 1980s, vaccine development became a top R&D priority. The WPC scientists created autogenous vaccines for its breeder and commercial flocks that targeted a specific pathogen at a specific farm.