DENVER, CO – Though many within the cattle industry are familiar with the cattle fever tick, few can identify or know the treatment for the Asian Longhorned Tick (ALT).
The species, new to the United States, is an invasive and exotic pest that prefers tall grasses and wood but is also highly mobile.
Dr. Kathy Simmons, Chief Veterinarian with the National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA), explains that the tick is smaller than a sesame seed and is asexual – meaning it doesn’t require a male to reproduce.
The newly found tick has been spreading across the Eastern U.S. (25 different hosts in 17 states) and is known as a three-host tick – meaning a different host for each stage of development.
NCBA and USDA have scheduled a two-day webinar to identify the tick, understand how it may affect your herd, and effectively manage the population this week (learn more here: https://www.ncba.org/producers/tick-symposium-registration).
(SOURCE: All Ag News)