On May 27, USDA opened the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville, TX. The state-of-the-art facility will provide tools to manage and eliminate invasive fly and tick pests that threaten the U.S. cattle industry, the department said.
“We have taken extraordinary actions to keep New World Screwworm out of the United States and this lab will help us accelerate our offensive efforts to drive this pest further away from our borders,” said USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.
The 52,000‑square‑foot laboratory also houses two Agricultural Research Service (ARS) units, the Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit and the Veterinary Pest Genetics Research Unit.
“This new laboratory will equip our researchers with advanced tools to combat the most destructive invasive insects already impacting the United States, as well as those posing future threats at our borders,” said ARS Administrator Joon Park.
