AgricultureTop story
UTRGV gets $2.2 million to test drones against the New World screwworm
$2.2 millionUSDA award to UTRGV for screwworm research
The money comes through USDA's New World Screwworm Grand Challenge.
Sources: KRGV, ValleyCentral.com
If you raise cattle, or just live near ranch country, this one's close to home. UTRGV received a $2.2 million award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop and test drone technology against the New World screwworm. U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz presented the grant Monday at the Edinburg campus. "Food security is national security and it was critical for us to get this grant," she said.
Researchers will use drones to predict where screwworm can survive. They'll test thermal imaging and machine learning to spot possible infestations, and evaluate drones for releasing sterile flies. Assistant Professor Sarah Maestas said wound checks and traps are especially hard to use on wildlife.
- Project length: two years
- Surveys: researchers expect to start by next spring
- Active Texas cases: nine as of Nov. 3
- Total cases: 91 across Texas, New Mexico and Arizona
Screwworm reached South Texas in June and the Valley in July
- June 3USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins confirms the first New World screwworm case in South Texas.
- JulyUSDA confirms the first Rio Grande Valley case, a newborn calf in Starr County.
- Nov. 2De La Cruz presents the $2.2 million grant at UTRGV's Edinburg campus.
- Nov. 3USDA reports nine active screwworm cases in Texas.
Sources: KRGV, ValleyCentral.com
The Starr County case is now inactive.
