Allow the texas animal health commission (tahc) and the united states department of agriculture (USDA) to continue to work together to minimize the presence of cattle fever ticks which are capable…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $350,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Texas Animal Health Commission on April 1, 2026, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025).

The agreement funds systematic identification of premises and inspection of livestock and wildlife across six Texas counties (Cameron, Starr, Val Verde, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata) to determine the geographic extent of cattle fever tick infestation and eradicate the fever tick population within and associated with temporary preventative quarantine areas and control purpose quarantine areas. TAHC will systematically inspect and treat currently infested premises and newly discovered infestations using epidemiological investigation and decision-making processes to prevent and mitigate spread to other areas. The work encompasses control of cattle fever ticks on nilgai antelope, white-tailed deer, and other ungulates capable of hosting the ticks; outreach to affected stakeholders including livestock owners, hunters, and deer breeders; assistance to federal agencies with fencing projects; and collaboration with markets to encourage voluntary dipping of cattle. TAHC will also support research in novel preventative and eradication methods. The permanent quarantine zones cover 155,997 acres and non-permanent quarantine zones cover 680,464 acres across the designated counties. Period of performance runs through March 31, 2027. Place of performance is Texas.

Allow the texas animal health commission (tahc) and the united states department of agriculture (USDA) to continue to work together to minimize the presence of cattle fever ticks which are capable of carrying babesia on premises that are located outside the permanent quarantine zone. Counties with infested premises under quarantine include cameron, starr, VAL verde, webb, willacy and zapata. In response, the tahc, through collaboration with USDA, has established non-permanent quarantine zones for 680,464 total acres and permanent quarantine zones (PQZ) for 155, 997 total acres. Through systematic identification of premises and inspection of livestock and wildlife within the control purpose quarantine area (cpqa), determine the geographic extent of cattle fever tick infestation in infested counties. In accordance with regulatory requirements, systematically inspect and treat currently infested premises and newfound infestations to eradicate the fever tick population within and associated with the temporary preventative quarantine area (tpqa) and associated cpqa's. Using sound epidemiological investigation and decision-making processes, prevent and mitigate the spread of cattle fever ticks to other areas. Support research in novel preventative and eradication methods. Use available methodologies to control cattle fever ticks on nilgai antelope, white-tailed deer and other ungulates capable of hosting cattle fever ticks. Provide outreach to affected stakeholders (livestock owners, hunters, deer breeders, etc.). Assist federal agencies with fencing projects to control the spread of cattle fever ticks. Continue to work with markets to encourage the voluntary dipping of cattle. These preventative measures will ensure that cattle exported from these high-risk areas will not be quarantined if linked to traces identified outside of these areas. The expected deliverables are that all these activities will help prevent the spread of cattle fever ticks outside of the quarantined areas. Failure could result in the spread of cattle fever ticks (and associated bovine babesiosis) throughout the country which could cause significant economic loss in the beef and dairy industry. Illness, reduced weight gain, decreased milk production and death can result. Intended beneficiaries include the local landowners, communities, hunters and the beef industry as a whole.