<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0" xml:base="https://www.usda.gov/"> <channel> <title>Tick Riders</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/</link> <description/> <language>en</language> <item> <title>Tick Riders: The Cornerstone of USDA's Cattle Fever Tick Program</title> <link>https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/blog/2011/04/13/tick-riders-cornerstone-usdas-cattle-fever-tick-program</link> <description> <span>Tick Riders: The Cornerstone of USDA's Cattle Fever Tick Program</span> <span><span>bfrank</span></span> <span><time datetime="2011-04-13T10:59:49-04:00" title="Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - 10:59">Wed, 04/13/2011 - 10:59</time> </span> Edward Avalos, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs <p>Recently I had the opportunity to travel to south Texas to learn first-hand about our Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program.</p> <p>USDA has successfully eradicated cattle fever in the U.S.&nbsp; Only a permanent quarantine buffer zone remains in south Texas, which spans 500 miles from Del Rio to Brownsville.&nbsp; The ticks and disease remain well-established in Mexico, so the buffer zone is necessary to keep U.S. cattle free of cattle fever by preventing the re-establishment of the ticks.</p> <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img title="MRP Under Secretary Ed Avalos riding with the Tick Riders along the Rio Grande. " src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/5615948945_c9c5023839.jpg" alt="MRP Under Secretary Ed Avalos riding with the Tick Riders along the Rio Grande. " width="500" height="295" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>MRP Under Secretary Ed Avalos riding with the Tick Riders along the Rio Grande. </figcaption> </figure> <p>The USDA-employed mounted patrol officers, better known as the famous “Tick Riders,” provide the cornerstone of our surveillance program.&nbsp; The 86 “Tick Riders,” mounted on horseback, provide the first line of defense against an outbreak of cattle fever.</p> <p>I had the opportunity and honor to ride on horseback side-by-side with some of our “Tick Riders” and <a href="http://www.aphis.usda.gov/">Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service</a> (APHIS) –VS Veterinarians.&nbsp; Following the dusty trail along the Rio Grande, south of Del Rio, I quickly experienced the enthusiasm, commitment and importance of our “Tick Riders.”&nbsp; That day a Mexican bull, having crossed the river, was captured.</p> <p>With sore muscles as a result of the ride, I express my gratitude to these hard working public servants.</p> <figure class="embedded-entity" role="group"> <article class="media media-image view-mode-embedded"><img title="MRP Under Secretary Ed Avalos and employees at the APHIS recognition ceremony at the Amistad Pens." src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5615948967_1845b8a21f.jpg" alt="MRP Under Secretary Ed Avalos and employees at the APHIS recognition ceremony at the Amistad Pens." width="500" height="375" loading="lazy"></article> <figcaption>MRP Under Secretary Ed Avalos and employees at the APHIS recognition ceremony at the Amistad Pens.</figcaption> </figure> <div class="field field--name-field-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A1">Animals</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="https://www.usda.gov/search?query=&amp;commit=Search&amp;f%5B0%5D=category_topic%3A15">Plants</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden comment-wrapper margin-y-1"> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/193" class="usa-tag"> APHIS </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/2835" class="usa-tag"> Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/2190" class="usa-tag"> Mexico </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/2782" class="usa-tag"> MRP </a> </span> <span class="margin-2px"> <a href="https://www.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/2836" class="usa-tag"> Tick Riders </a> </span> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-teaser-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/two_column_header_image_1320x888/public/usda_blog_images/5062_5615948945_c9c5023839.jpg?h=35f6c102&amp;itok=kTuDpgHS" width="1320" height="888" alt="MRP Under Secretary Ed Avalos riding with the Tick Riders along the Rio Grande. " loading="lazy"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-social-share-image field--type-entity-reference field--label-above flex-column"> <div class="field__label">Social Share Image:</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/usda_blog_images/5062_5615948945_c9c5023839.jpg?itok=dtk-ue1u" width="480" height="283" alt="MRP Under Secretary Ed Avalos riding with the Tick Riders along the Rio Grande. " title="5062_5615948945_c9c5023839.jpg" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </description> <pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:59:49 +0000</pubDate> <dc:creator>bfrank</dc:creator> <guid isPermaLink="false">14809 at https://www.usda.gov</guid> </item> </channel> </rss>