Tracing of cattle movements on and off the Macksville-district property detected with cattle ticks last week has led to a further six NSW mid-north coast properties being quarantined.

"Industry & Investment regulatory officers have so far identified seven properties which have received cattle from the original infected Macksville property - six of the properties are local to the NSW mid-north coast and one is in Victoria," said I&I NSW regional veterinarian Paul Freeman.

"All the movements involved one or two head of cattle."

Mr Freeman said two head of cattle from the infested Macksville property went to a property near Echuca in Victoria.

"I&I NSW cattle tick officers have been in contact with DPI Victoria regulatory officers about handling the movement traced to Victoria.

"Six other properties in the Macksville/Kempsey/South West Rocks area - mostly smaller in size - have been quarantined after receiving animals from the infected Macksville property."

I&I NSW Cattle Tick Program staff traced the original Macksville infestation after cattle ticks were detected on six head of cattle at Casino abattoirs during a routine check.

Mr Freeman said the NSW north coast had a favorable climate for cattle ticks, the most serious external parasite of cattle in Australia, but cattle ticks were capable of surviving anywhere in NSW.

"Cattle ticks were found at Bellingen in 1991 and 2007, and Rollands Plains in 2007, and in each case they were eradicated," he said.

"But normally we dont get infestations this far south."

Mr Freeman said stockowners should examine their cattle when they are yarded and report any unusual ticks to I&I NSW (formerly NSW Department of Primary Industries) or the Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) for identification.

"Stockowners shouldnt assume that they are seeing bush ticks or paralysis ticks - they should check to make sure they arent cattle ticks and contact the authorities if they are not sure.

"Identification brochures are also available from I&I NSW or LHPA offices," he said.

"Cattle ticks are a notifiable disease in NSW, meaning stockowners must report findings.

"They have the potential to cause significant damage to the NSW beef and dairy industries. When found in NSW they must be eradicated."

Further reading

Cattle tick control in NSW

Examining cattle for ticks

Three ticks of concern to NSW stockowners

Media contact: Phil Bevan 0429 458 053