FFAR Rapid Funding to Protect Cattle from Asian Longhorned Tick FFAR Rapid Funding to Protect Cattle from Asian Longhorned Tick

FFAR Rapid Funding to Protect Cattle from Asian Longhorned Tick

Kalamazoo, MI

  • Production Systems

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.

Asian longhorned ticks have spread rapidly since they were first identified in the U.S. in 2017. The ticks can reproduce asexually, with females laying up to 3,000 eggs at a time. They carry several livestock and human diseases and can cause anemia and anorexia in cattle, reducing milk production, conception rates and weight gain.

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.

John Hardham

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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Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.

Connect: @FoundationFAR 

ID: 24-000917