Tick management in a cattle herd can contribute significantly to the daily weight gain and therefore sale weight of individual animals and should be considered when planning paddock rotation. The life cycle of a tick begins with the female laying eggs in the pasture. Larvae then hatch, cluster on grass and attach to the host. This process can last anywhere from 3-9 months depending on temperature, humidity and the presence of hosts. Increased temperature, decreased humidity and fewer hosts (kangaroos, bandicoots, wild pigs and of course cattle) are ideal circumstances to shorten this timeline and allow larvae to die off.
Therefore, to help reduce the tick burden on properties, paddocks should be rotated and spelled for 3-9 months depending on conditions. Additionally adequate tick control on the host (dips, pour-ons, injectables) should be utilized to reduce the adults and therefore the quantity of eggs laid on pasture. Pest control is also beneficial during this time of spelling as well as selection of more tick resistant species (higher Bos Indicus content).
Tick Fever is spread through cattle ticks so if you are experiencing a high tick burden consider the tick fever vaccine.
Cited photo: Ag Force Queensland