With large numbers of drought-affected cattle on the move, graziers are being advised to consider tick fever vaccinations for cattle being sent to tick-infected areas for agistment.

Queensland agriculture minister John McVeigh said that even during winter months when there was a belief that ticks were not active, risks were still present.

He urged graziers to thoroughly check their situation with their local vet or departmental officer when planning to move cattle to agistment, particularly when moving stock from western and northwest areas where cattle ticks were not present..

Cattle over nine months of age of any breed can develop tick fever.

“The level of risk varies from year to year, and the likelihood of cattle contracting tick fever depends on a number of factors, but it’s certainly a risk when susceptible cattle are moved into cattle tick infected areas," Mr McVeigh said.

“British and European breeds are at greatest risk, but Brahman and crossbred cattle can also be affected."

Mr McVeigh said the vaccine produced by his Department was highly effective and the cost of $4 to $5 a head offered peace of mind that the risk of tick fever disease would be minimised.

“Vaccination takes the guesswork out of tick fever control, but it always pays to plan ahead because there is a time-lag from vaccination to immunity,” he said.

“It is also very important not to neglect tick control, particularly for cattle which have never experienced ticks before, as large burdens can occur on naive cattle.”

• Further information on tick fever vaccine is available from the Tick Fever Centre on 3898 9655.

Source: QDAFF