Grevillia dairy producer Robert Gordon did the right thing when he found ticks on his cattle and contacted the local NSW DPI Cattle Tick Control Office for identification. Robert suspected cattle ticks and this was confirmed by DPI staff at Kyogle. Now the Gordons are undergoing an eradication program that was implemented early and has caused minimal disruption to their normal management and marketing. Robert (pictured right with DPI inspector Craig Randall) said, “it’s certainly worth checking your cattle and getting any suspect ticks identified, as it’s only going to get more difficult to control if the cattle tick numbers build up”.

Stockowners are taking a more active role than ever before in finding cattle ticks, according to NSW DPI cattle tick manager Peter McGregor.

“It’s a very positive trend that a far greater percentage of cattle tick notifications are coming from stockowners,” Mr McGregor said.

“Going back 10 years it was unlikely that one or two stockowners would come forward asking about cattle ticks on their livestock.

“Most of the infestations in NSW were detected by NSW DPI surveillance staff at abattoirs, saleyards or on property.

“Now, in the last two seasons almost half our infestations are as a result of an owner notifying us that they have, or they think they may have, cattle ticks.

“I congratulate these people who are taking a responsible role in looking for cattle ticks on their stock and reporting anything unusual.

“Once we know about it, the Cattle Tick Program will react quickly to eradicate any infestation in NSW,” he said.

Mr McGregor said there were 25 properties found infested with cattle ticks this year and the period of peak activity for cattle ticks would continue until June.

“We are very keen for stockowners to keep looking for cattle ticks, especially over the next two or three months until the winter comes and tick activity reduces,” he said.

A recent outbreak at Rollands Plains near Wauchope on the Mid- North Coast highlights the fact that cattle ticks can be found on cattle, horses and other grazing livestock anywhere in NSW, not just the Far North Coast.

“Stockowners across NSW should be checking their animals for cattle ticks now,” he said.

“Bush ticks and paralysis ticks become less numerous after Christmas, while cattle tick numbers peak from February to May.

“So if you find moderate tick numbers on your cattle, horse or other grazing livestock at this time of year it has a greater chance of being a cattle tick than during any other period.”

Mr McGregor said NSW DPI and the livestock industries of NSW were working together to keep cattle ticks out of the State.

“If you find a suspicious tick on your stock, report it to NSW DPI or the Rural Lands Protection Board for identification and eradication,” he said.

“Cattle ticks can spread tick fever, which has the potential to cause serious damage to the State’s beef and dairy industries.”

Under the Stock Diseases Act it is an offence for any person to market stock infested with cattle ticks. The Act also requires stockowners to notify NSW DPI of any infestation.

“We recommend a close inspection of cattle when stockowners are sending them off to market,” Mr McGregor said.

“The tail butt and the area between the animal’s back legs are where ticks are often found.”

Contact Peter McGregor, Wollongbar, (02) 6626 1201.