NORTH Coast livestock owners are being urged to tighten their farm biosecurity and be on the lookout for cattle ticks after a spike in the number of tick infestations.
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"We have had a rapid rise in the incidence of cattle tick infestations with 20 Far North Coast properties detected with ticks since November and 10 in January alone - this compares with two for the same month last year," said Department of Primary Industries regional veterinary officer Paul Freeman.
"As we are coming to the peak period for cattle ticks in NSW, now is the time for stockowners to be most vigilant."
Mr Freeman said cattle ticks were the most serious external parasite of cattle in Australia.
"They can attach to cattle, horses and other livestock and can transmit tick fever, a potentially fatal disease of cattle," he said.
"They are also a notifiable disease in NSW which means stockowners are required by law to inform the authorities of any findings on their stock.
"We have not had tick fever in NSW for two years now and we want to keep it that way."
Mr Freeman said late summer and autumn was the peak period for cattle tick activity on the North Coast so it was important for stockowners to be checking their livestock for ticks now.
"So far this season we have had infestations in the Kyogle, Casino, Lismore and Tweed districts," Mr Freeman said.
"Most of the infestations have been detected by inspectors at saleyards and abattoirs.
"The best outcome is if stockowners are checking their own cattle and reporting any signs of ticks.
"If we are able to get on top of an infestation early, the ticks are easier to eradicate from the affected property and the risk of ticks multiplying and spreading to other properties is reduced."
Mr Freeman said it was also important for stockowners to meet the requirements when moving stock from Queensland.
"Anyone intending to cross the NSW-Qld border with horses, cattle or other livestock should contact NSW DPI on (07) 5536 4714 for advice and to make a booking," he said.