The Practicalities of Relocating Cattle Interstate across Tick Zones

Our property is located in a tick-infested zone as determined under the Cattle Tick Biosecurity Zone Map.            

Bringing cattle from tick-free zones onto our property has required sound forward planning to manage risk of Tick Fever in animals not previously exposed to ticks. Here are some key points from reliable sources regarding managing Tick Fever and Qld cattle tick regulations.

MLA (Meat & Livestock Australia), 24 Nov, 2021, What are the cattle tick regulations in your state? 26 Nov, 2024 <https://www.mla.com.au/news-and-events/industry-news/what-are-the-cattle-tick-regulations-in-your-state/>

Queensland has two tick zones – the tick-infested zone and the tick-free zone (see Figure 4). This replaces the previous scheme that included control zones.

Moving cattle or other ‘tick carriers’ across the Tick Line from the infested zone to the tick-free zone requires an inspection by accredited certifiers. The owner or manager supplies the accredited certifier with details of recent tick treatments and arranges for inspection. Once livestock have been inspected, the accredited certifier issues a biosecurity certificate which enables transport across the Queensland Tick Line or across state borders. Most treatment and inspection now takes place on-farm prior to departure, replacing the old system of inspection and treatment at designated ‘Tick Gates’ at various places along the Tick Line and border crossings.

 Figure 4: Location of the Queensland Tick Line separating the tick-infested zone (pink) from the tick-free zone (white).

DPI. 16th Jun 2023, Tick fever vaccines for cattle, 26th Nov, 2024, <https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/biosecurity/animals/diseases/cattle-tick-fever/vaccine>

Tick fever vaccines for cattle

All cattle in cattle tick-infested areas are at risk of developing tick fever, whether they were born and raised within the tick area or introduced from cattle tick-free areas.

Tick fever vaccine is the most reliable and practical tool for long-term control of tick fever in cattle. Tick fever vaccine for cattle is the chilled trivalent (3 germ) vaccine. This vaccine protects against all 3 organisms that cause tick fever: Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale.