The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and Cornell Integrated Pest Management (Cornell IPM), a program of Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, today urged New York livestock producers to take preventative measures against the Asian longhorned tick (LHT). LHT is an invasive pest that, since it was first identified in the United States in New Jersey in 2017, has steadily expanded northward and is now becoming a serious concern for the health of livestock throughout the Hudson Valley.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Asian longhorned tick is increasingly becoming a concern for our livestock producers, particularly in the Hudson Valley area, where our partners at Cornell IPM have seen a significant uptick in activity. The good news here is that by being vigilant and taking proactive measures, our producers can keep their animals healthy and safe. I urge all of our cattle, sheep and goat producers to take a look at the ways they can reduce the threat of the longhorned tick and follow their veterinarian’s guidance.”
Cornell IPM Associate Director and Livestock Coordinator Ken Wise said, "We are actively and vigilantly monitoring the spread of the Asian longhorned tick across New York State to better understand its distribution, habitat selection and potential impacts on livestock and animal health. Through ongoing surveillance efforts, we are tracking population levels and providing science-based management recommendations when tick populations reach levels that may pose a risk to animal health and productivity."
Source : ny.gov