BREEDING for external parasite resistance is seen as a sustainable alternative to control cattle tick and buffalo fly due to widespread resistance to drugs and the lack of effective vaccines.

The efficient genetic selection for external parasite resistance requires the availability of biomarkers for the accurate identification of cattle resistance to these ectoparasites.

The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation will host a webinar on the topic on Tuesday, 30 August.

Accurate phenotyping can be difficult for ticks, and fly numbers are difficult to assess visually. Although breed-specific genes associated with tick resistance have been observed, the mechanisms behind tick resistance have not yet been fully characterised.

Dr Ali Raza

In addition, there is no host resistance information available for buffalo fly. Therefore, researchers are applying next-generation technologies to explore the potential biomarkers associated with ticks, and buffalo fly resistance in cattle, to provide the tools for genetic selection.

Speaking during the webinar will be Dr Ali Raza, a senior research fellow at the Centre for Animal Science, QAAFI, working towards improved animal health and welfare by developing sustainable parasite control strategies.

Dr Raza graduated from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan, as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, before completing his PhD at CSIRO and the University of Queensland in 2017.

He is using next-generation technologies, including Proteomics and whole-genome sequencing, to determine biomarkers for host resistance to external parasites in cattle.

Dr Raza works closely with partners from the government, industries as well as national and international universities. Ali has received several prestigious awards

The webinar will be held on Tuesday, 30 August, from Noon AEST.

Click here for more information.

Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation is a research institute at The University of Queensland supported by the Queensland Government via the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.