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.
The appropriate staff have all been sacked by the DPI during the reign of Palaszczuk and/or Miles.
It cant be overstated the overwhelming disappointment in the DPI and government in general since this outbreak occurred. The communication has been non-existent to those in the firing line and furthermore it appears the advice has been to suppress dialogue rather than allow producers the ability to be proactive… plan and get organised. Certainly a change in the way these issues are managed from the top down to the those on the ground or lack of is required.
I did an economic analysis of the impact of the cattle tick line over a decade ago. Part of the analysis can be found here: https://econpapers.repec.org/paper/agsaare10/58889.htm
In essence, the northern beef producers and taxpayers funding the line and tick control within the protected area were not receiving any benefits. They were subsidising the producers within the line likely to be impacted by deregulation. The costs of cattle tick control to the Queensland economy were about $10m per annum, undoubtedly much larger now. This was paid by the Queensland taxpayer and the northern beef producer wishing to move stock across the line. Cattle ticks will never be eradicated from Queensland so the producers north of the line will have to continue to manage them as they have. There will always be a lot of emotion around cattle ticks and their management in Queensland but possibly it is time to have a good look at the situation and consider equitable outcomes that do not see one part of the Queensland economy continuing to subsidise some beef cattle producers who by good luck and some ancient politics landed within the tick protected area of Queensland. The total costs of the cattle tick to the Queensland and Australian economy are also greatly overstated by the faulty method of calculation reported by MLA and others. When I did the analysis, the total costs of ticks to the Queensland economy was about $40 m per annum, about one quarter of the estimates made by various consultants at the time and published by MLA. About 20% of the total costs of the cattle tick to the economy were the costs of regulation.
By the response from the minister’s office not only do we need a review into the management of ticks in Queensland but we also need a review into the Department of Primary industry as a whole.
It is very obvious that there is a breakdown in communication somewhere in the system.
At the moment it seems the department doesn’t seem to have in place the management to control any biosecurity issues.
We need to find out where the issues are whether they be budget, lack of staff, lack of experience or people in the wrong positions, or a combination of all of the above.
We all know the department is lacking skills and experience and if there are no changes made soon, we will lose the small amount of experience we have left within.
Also, it will take a substantial amount of time to regain the experience the department once had,so we need changes now, so we are not looking at this in 20 years' time saying the same thing.
The agricultural industries deserve a department fit for purpose who works with industry not against.
Rob Lethbridge
100 percent and i think
ALL the above is the answer to your statements
i have wittnessed a DPI inspector checking cattle not long ago I thought he was makeing friends with the cattle not SCRATCHING for ticks i dont think he wanted to get his nails dirty
A lot could and should be said about the latest tick outbreak near Taroom. The question though that needs to be asked is “How many tick outbreaks did we have prior to the Labor government relaxing the stringent inspection and clearance system on the Queensland ‘tick line’?”
It should be noted that a well organised group of Taroom cattle producers actually cleared their properties of ticks and moved the tick line. But this was backed by that set inspection and clearance system. Now we have a ‘self inspection’ system with Departmental stock inspectors removed. It was never going to work and the constant arrival of ticky cattle now at Dalby and property outbreaks in clean country are the result. There will be more.
When these changes were proposed there was a massive meeting of concerned cattle people at Taroom trying to halt them. The Government representative was unmoved and AgForce went with the Government on the basis that people with properties on both sides of the tick line needed to do their own inspections and didn’t need stock inspectors. The changes went ahead when they could quite possibly have been stopped. So now we have AgForce helping people with tick outbreaks in clean country. Irony does not bite any harder than this.
If you can't manage ticks without government help, get out of the industry.
what a stupid thing to say when its the fault of govt DPI failing in their job like Bymount
still cant pinpoint where they came from even with the alledged world leading NLIS system that cost producers to implement for ou biosecurity protection
Spot on!
Qlders on the govt teat again.
Heard of user pays? Hire a vet and deal with it.
Gentlemen- the information is out there. Dip them, inject them whatever suits your operation. Pay a vet to inspect them.
If you wish more information, I am happy to assist you, including on how to tick proof your property.
I apologize for being rude but you seriously need a kick up the arse.
Dr Anthea Henwood 0428 915034
`Anthea If the tick clearence Govt paid Sorry taxpayer funded people did a proper inspection not saying that they all dont but i have wittnessed a Departmental inspector Well absoutly useless Plus if the NLIS system is as good as we are told they would be able to trace origin and movements and put someones arse in a sling within ten minuites
Bymount still dont know how they got through or even to Roma
Govt biosecurity fail Govt should pay
We have to everywhere else
Self-interest had prevailed when the tick line crossing movements were relaxed by the then Qld Government and AgForce supported that. Entry of Queensland cattle into NSW is now at risk, as is the spread of cattle ticks into the Qld Murray-Darling catchment. Unfortunately, Dr Henwood, it cannot be left to individuals to be allowed to inspect or arrange clearance at the tick line because we are fallible and self-interest will prevail.
1000 percent Jock Garrey at Injune