New federal action targets tick-borne diseases and the biosecurity risk that can affect cattle herds and beef demand. President Trump signed S. 2398, the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act, on Sept. 30, extending funding for vector-borne disease research and regional centers of excellence through 2030. A companion executive order directs USDA, EPA and HHS to accelerate new tick and mosquito control tools, including non-chemical and tech-enabled methods. While this companion order initially focuses on Washington, D.C., the hope is to roll out the methods more broadly.

For cattle producers, the folks from Drovers point to two diseases. Theileriosis, spread mainly by the Asian longhorned tick, can cause anemia, abortions and death loss in calves and adult cattle. Alpha-gal syndrome, tied to the lone star tick, does not sicken livestock, but it can trigger an allergy to red meat, which makes it a beef demand concern.

Read the full legislation breakdown in Drovers.