Qld cattle tick line.

PRODUCERS impacted by the latest outbreak of cattle ticks in Queensland’s free zone are calling for more Government support to manage the incursion.

One of the infected properties south of Taroom discovered ticks on its cattle after finding 13 deceased steers in January.

“As soon as we found these cattle we thought it was 3-day or cattle ticks, so we got some of our cattle in to check them and we found more ticks,” the property owner told Beef Central.

“Within a week we had helicopters to muster our entire property, and we scratched and treated all of our cattle (a considerable number).

“We worked with our local agent who advised us on what to do and we treated everything with a new pour-on to avoid resistance issues.”

One of the major concerns from producers in the Taroom district has been the lack of Government support in the way of department personnel on the ground.

“We have had one conversation with a department person and that was to put movement restrictions on us and when we asked for staff to help, we were told they don’t have the staff, there is no foot soldiers to help with this,” one of the infected property owners said.

“We asked (Government staff) who notifies our neighbours that we have an outbreak, and we were told it was up to us and that is not good enough.

“We did inform our neighbours because we don’t want ticks in the free zone, so we think neighbours and property owners in the district have the right to know that there is a risk of infection with a local outbreak.

“We now know of four other properties that have ticks on them and we are completely on our own.”

Producers say more support from Qld Government needed

While tick outbreaks in the free zone are not uncommon, Beef Central has been told by several property owners the Government has failed to respond to this outbreak compared to the outbreak north of Roma (which is in the free zone) in 2024.

“When there were ticks found at Bymount (north of Roma), there were 13 Department of Primary Industries staff on the ground, there were community meetings, landholders had help and advice on what to do,” one Taroom producer said.

“This time there has been one small meeting with our closest stock inspector who is in Dalby 250 kilometres away, and that’s it.

“Why would producers report an outbreak and have movement restrictions placed on them if the Government isn’t going to send any help?

“This will stop people from wanting to report outbreaks and that puts our whole industry at risk.”

The infected property owner that spoke to Beef Central said they need experts on the ground outlining the protocols to help them eradicate the ticks.

“We live in the free zone, this is all a huge learning curve for us, and we are basically on our own,” they said.

“In the tick eradication days there were several stock inspectors in Taroom who would be on your property scratching, treating, advising you on what to do, but that office is closed now so we are somewhat guessing.

“The chemical we used says it is active for 56 days, but some advice has been to treat again sooner (between 47 and 53 days after initial), it’s very confusing and expensive.

“The chemical we used is $17 a head to treat, plus we need to use a helicopter to muster our country so it would be great to be told an exact plan of how to get on top of this outbreak by the DPI who are meant to be experts in this.”

Covering the cost of third-party scratchers

Several producers have expressed frustration with the lack of Department staff on the ground and have said if the Government can’t deploy staff, then they need to cover the cost of third-party scratchers.

“The incentive for reporting an incursion should be assistance because this is a biosecurity incursion, of which most properties are at no fault of their own,” one Taroom producer said.

“The Qld Government should cover the costs to find the extent of the outbreak and to get the properties clear of cattle ticks again.”

Investigation underway: Qld Govt

In a written response Qld’s Minister for Primary Industries, Tony Perrett said an investigation into the detection of cattle tick in the Taroom area is underway.

“The Department of Primary Industries will look at tracing the source of the outbreak, and if there is any resistance to tick control products,” Minister Perrett said.

“Since the Taroom area was classified tick free in 2000 there has been 14 cattle tick detections (14 properties).

“While outbreaks in the tick free areas are frustrating and concerning for landholders the detection, reporting, investigation, and response from the DPI shows the system is working as intended.

“The Crisafulli Government understands the importance of biosecurity; we’ve recruited 31 new biosecurity officers and have committed to delivering a further 69 this term.”

However, several producers that have spoken to Beef Central have argued any outbreak in the free zone is a break down in biosecurity.

“What we need right now is for the Government to find the extent of this outbreak, we need trained scratchers looking for the ticks and the infected properties need a clear plan on what to do,” one producer said.

Beef Central is waiting for a response from the DPI on what staff will be sent to advise the impacted producers.