The emergence of Asian longhorned ticks in the U.S. is threatening the health of cattle herds in 24 states, raising concerns about significant economic losses. In response, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and Zoetis are investing $341,648 in a Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) grant to develop a biological control tool for the harmful pests.
The ability of Asian longhorned ticks to spread so rapidly while causing significant illness is threatening national food security and placing farmers’ livelihoods at risk. This rapid funding is crucial to providing U.S. cattle producers with the tools they urgently need to control the spread of these ticks and prevent considerable economic losses.
Miriam Martin, Ph.D.
Scientific Program Manager
Researchers led by John Hardham, Ph.D., director of the Center for Transboundary and Emerging Diseases (CTED) at Zoetis, are leveraging knowledge gained from other innovative control programs for external parasites, such as ticks. They aim to develop a new animal health solution that will complement existing treatment and biosecurity strategies.
FFAR’s ROAR program rapidly funds research and outreach in response to emerging or unanticipated threats to the U.S. food supply or agricultural systems.
Asian longhorned ticks have quickly spread in the U.S. in the last few years, most recently into Iowa and Michigan. This project with FFAR is the latest example of Zoetis’ ongoing commitment to developing solutions for emerging infectious diseases and pests that threaten the health of livestock and the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers. We are pleased to partner with FFAR and are quickly mobilizing resources to meet the needs of regulatory authorities and our customers.
John Hardham, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
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