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THE EFFECT OF CATTLE TICK ( BOOPHILUS MICROPLUS ) ON PREGNANT AND LACTATING BRAHMAN‐CROSS AND BRITISH‐BREED COWS IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
Author(s) -
Johnston L. A. Y.,
Haydock K. P.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1971.tb15496.x
Subject(s) - brahman , shorthorn , breed , biology , zoology , tick , veterinary medicine , medicine , ecology
Summary Natural infestations of cattle tick ( Boaphilus microplus ) on breeding Hereford, Shorthorn and Brahman‐cross cows were observed in a dry tropical environment. Herefords were dipped three times and Shorthorns four times during a 12 month period, while the Brahman‐cross cattle were dipped twice during a 3‐year period. No differences in tick infestations could be shown between pregnant and non‐pregnant or lactating and non‐lactating cows even though they were under severe nutritional stress. No consistent negative correlations were shown between body‐ weight changes and tick counts. This was probably due to the effect of dipping in the Herefords and Shorthorns. There was a trend towards significant negative correlations in July and August over each of three years for undipped Brahman‐cross cows. Some form of tick control on breeding Brahman‐cross cows, aimed at reducing tick burdens during July to September may be beneficial in the environment under study.