USDA Opens New Livestock Insect Research Lab to Combat Pest Threats
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has inaugurated the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility aimed at bolstering the cattle industry's defenses against invasive pests such as flies and ticks. This new laboratory, located in Kerrville, Texas, spans 52,000 square feet and is equipped with advanced research spaces, cattle facilities, and a genomics center. The facility is designed to enhance the study of insect behavior, improve pest control techniques, and develop new insecticides and pesticide delivery systems. The lab will also focus on reducing pest resistance, thereby supporting the health and productivity of American livestock. The USDA emphasizes the importance of this facility in continuing efforts to protect livestock from threats like the New World Screwworm, a pest previously eradicated from the U.S. using the Sterile Insect Technique. 
