Location: Cattle Fever Tick Research Unit
Project Number: 3094-32000-042-067-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2021
End Date: Sep 30, 2025
Objective:
Incorporate data automation into field operations for ectoparasite control of cattle. Discrete and geospatial data normally collected by hand will be collected electronically using apps on handheld devices and sent directly to the cloud via wifi or cellular services. Uploaded data will be automatically displayed and analyzed in a web-based dashboard. This will save on the labor required to work cattle, collect, and analyze data, improve data accuracy, and provide a safer work environment. Displayed and analyzed data will help operational and strategic decision makers manage large scale eradication or control programs.
Approach:
Field data historically collected by hand will be collected electronically and transmitted in real-time to the cloud increasing safety and reducing the labor force by 40%. Once in the cloud, collected data will be automatically projected geospatially and graphically creating a common operating environment for scientists to further analyze and model. These models will predict the best areas to attack parasites and allow operations personnel to track progress and plan future treatments. The project is being developed to eliminate a population of pesticide-resistant cattle fever ticks in the Yabucoa region of Puerto Rico and will serve as a model for the established tick control and eradication programs of Puerto Rico and Texas, respectively. The holistic approach uses safer pesticides that will also eliminate horn flies and internal parasites.
