Livestock producers are being urged to regularly check for ticks as wet weather conditions continue to encourage growing tick populations.
South Burnett Regional Council’s Rural Services portfolio holder Scott Henschen said livestock producers should be prepared ahead of Spring.
“Conditions are ripe across the South Burnett for tick populations to soar, so livestock producers should check they have plenty of tick control chemicals on hand,” Cr Henschen said.
“In the world we are in at present, more and more items are getting harder to access. With Spring approaching, tick numbers could explode with the current weather conditions. Not being able to source chemicals could prove very costly if livestock are unable to be treated.
Cr Henschen explained that due to wet weather, most producers have not been able to treat cattle and not been able to sell or transport stock.
“The number of cattle dipped in May this year at Coolabunia was only 807 compared with 1538 last year,” he said.
“Many producers have noticed greater numbers of ticks than normal. The present chemical supply is adequate, but Spring could see a significant change with demand being greater than normal.”
Cr Henschen expressed the hope that the price of tick control chemicals would not skyrocket as has occurred with other chemicals.
“My message is to encourage producers both in tick and tick-free areas to be mindful of the seasonal conditions and to be proactive in monitoring and managing tick control.”
