An infestation of toxic cattle tick has killed 65 black baldy cattle with red water, or Babesia bovis, at Kendall, east of the Comboyne Plateau.
Department of Primary Industries staff have traced weaned calves sold off the property as far west as Tamworth, using the NLIS ear tag system coupled with information from local livestock agents.
DPI Senior Veterinary Officer Paul Freeman said the two properties affected were effectively quarantined and all cattle would undergo treatment. The calves at Tamworth were stopped at the saleyards and never got the chance to contaminate a property.
He said the current tick program, much reduced from what it was 25 years ago, continued to do its job with the population contained to southern slopes of the Mount Warning Caldera. An outbreak at Kempsey two years ago and another at Rollands Plains seven years ago were eradicated with no further problem. He said the Kendall case should follow.
“Never mind climate change, right now cattle ticks could live permanently from Sydney north,” he said. “There is no suggestion that there will be more frequent outbreaks of cattle tick in the future.”
The affected paddock at Kendall had been locked up as a part of a cell grazing program and when cattle were let back in they stumbled upon a high population of just-hatched larvae, or “seed” ticks. Another property, not adjoining, was also affected with two head lost.
Surviving cattle were treated with an antiprotozoal containing Imidocarb and will be dipped until clean, and dipped another 12 times after that, followed by two inspections six weeks apart. Typically quarantined properties are in that situation for 18 months.
Cattle had not been brought into the area but other animals can host the parasite. Feral deer are an example, with a population of 10,000 east of the Pacific Highway around Port Macquarie.
Cattle ticks are the most serious external parasite of cattle in Australia, said Dr Freeman. The tick fever agent is carried in the blood and transmitted by cattle ticks when they feed.
Livestock owners in the area are reminded to remain conscious of farm biosecurity and be on the look-out. Dr Freeman suggested whole-of-farm grazing, rather than closing off paddocks, so cattle could keep them clean simply by eating the parasites.
Signs of affected animals may include fever and depression, anaemia initially followed by staggering, apparent blindness, hyper excitability and jaundice. If treated early the chances of recovery are good.
