Time to Check and Treat Your Herd for Ticks

By Sherry Hoyer and Beth Reynolds

Temperatures are warmer, grass is greening up nicely, and yes, it's time for ticks. But are ticks on cattle a concern? Absolutely, said Iowa Beef Center program specialist Beth Reynolds, because of disease transmission opportunities.

For example, anaplasmosis is a tickborne disease with an estimated U.S. beef industry impact over $300 million per year. The cost is realized in poor performance, abortions and death loss.

"For infected cattle that recover without medication, these animals remain carriers for life without showing clinical signs, which increases the likelihood for the disease to spread within the herd," she said. "Anaplasmosis is in Iowa with cases trending higher in recent years."

There are various methods available to control tick populations on livestock, with use dependent on individual circumstances.

"Treating with chemical acaricides, like a pour-on, is the most common strategy," Reynolds said. "To prevent ticks from developing resistance, rotate the class of chemical used annually. When treating, treat all animals in the herd at the same time, and reapply product according to label directions for best results."

Burning pastures in the spring can reduce tick populations in that pasture, although she cautions farmers to be aware of brush areas, etc., that can serve as tick refuges.

She said a recent BEEF magazine article titled "Dangerous hitchhikers" does a great job of describing and explaining cattle health threats caused by ticks, and encourages producers to take a look at it.

The three most common species encountered in Iowa are the blacklegged (deer) tick, American dog (wood) tick, and the lone star tick. All three are effective vectors for different diseases and pose a risk to humans as well as livestock and pets. In addition, lone star tick bites pose the risk of alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy). Awareness and prevention are crucial in keeping yourself and your livestock healthy.

For more information, check out this Iowa State resource available online, Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases PM 2036.