October 25, 2017
The State Government will invest $250,000 into a research project aimed at improving tick resistance in beef cattle.
Science Minister Leeanne Enoch said on Wednesday the research by The University of Queensland, James Cook University and the Nindooinbah Pastoral Company could be a global game changer.
“Production losses caused by heavy tick burdens have been estimated at $160 million annually in Australia, and globally in the vicinity of up to $US30 billion,” Ms Enoch said.
“This research into improving the identification and selection of beef cattle resistant to ticks will provide significant benefit to the beef cattle industry here in Queensland, and eventually around the globe.
“This is exciting news given that Queensland is the main producer of beef in Australia, being responsible for 60 per cent of the nation’s beef production.”
Acting Minister for Agriculture, Dr Anthony Lynham said heavy tick burdens cause huge economic impacts through blood loss, general stress and irritation, decrease in productivity, fertility and immune function, damage to hides and transmission of pathogens.
“Many of the current treatments, such as pesticides, are simply not working as the ticks gradually become resistant,” Dr Lynham said.
“Some cattle are naturally able to prevent ticks from infestation, and any research which is able to identify and select breeds will directly lead to increases in profitability, productivity and sustainability.”
The multi-disciplinary research team aims to identify naturally tick-resistant animals by examining the content of exosomes.
Exosomes are small, spherical vesicles that are made by every cell in a cow’s body and are transported throughout the body in blood.
The $250,000 investment will come from the government’s Advance Queensland Innovation Partnerships program.
