Tuesday, 24 March 2015 15:19

Keep theileria in mind when moving stock

Written by 
Theileria nymph. Theileria nymph.

Farmers are being warned to assess the risks to their herds from the tick-borne disease Theileria if they are moving stock this autumn and winter.

 DairyNZ veterinarian and technical policy advisor Nita Harding says stock now grazing, such as heifers, that will be coming onto the farm could pose a risk – or be at risk of Theileria – depending on the situation onfarm.

Harding says farmers can help the industry and veterinarians manage and prevent the spread of the disease if they are moving cattle between Theileria zones this season.

“Pregnant cattle are at the highest risk. Other stock classes appear not to be as susceptible,” she says.

“To assess your risk you need to understand your current level of risk where you farm and the risk in the area the cattle are moving from or to. We’ve subdivided the country into three general zones based on our current knowledge of tick distribution and farms on which the disease has been confirmed.

“Essentially we have stable, unstable and free areas – and they equate to high, moderate and low risk areas for Theileria. At particularly high risk are high performing animals from free and unstable areas moving into stable areas. We strongly recommend that farmers shouldn’t bring in pregnant heifers and cows from tick free areas into stable areas without seeking veterinary advice. 

“Sharemilkers who are forming their herds or farmers undertaking conversions and forming new herds need to take particular care.”

If you are buying in replacements or are building a herd from multiple sources, it is a lot more complicated to assess the risk of Theileria to your farm, she says.

“Remember there could be multiple diseases that could pose a risk to your farm so it’s important to talk to your veterinarian and do a bit of risk assessment and management planning.”

Franklin Vets managing director Mark Hosking says there is a movement risk tool on the Franklin Vets’ website (www.franklinvets.co.nz) which farmers can quickly use to see what risk they may face.

There is also advice on DairyNZ’s website www.dairynz.co.nz/theileria and the New Zealand Veterinary Association website www.nzva.org.nz

“We’ve dealt with a lot of cases in our area so we have worked to help others across the country to understand the disease,” says Hosking. “For people who are moving stock into areas with ticks, we would strongly advise they carry out blood tests to determine if the animals being moved have been exposed to the parasite. If they have been exposed then there should be relatively little risk of them developing clinical disease. However if they haven’t come across the parasite before then they will be at a high risk of breaking down with clinical Theileriosis.

“If you are moving animals from one property to another, it is paramount that you try to assess the risk you face of running into problems.

“Farmers should avoid exposing naïve animals to infected ticks six-eight weeks prior to calving/peak milk production. Most naïve dairy animals arrive in infected areas in May/June, two months prior to the major stress of calving and milk production.”

What to look out for

The signs of Theileriosis are those associated with anaemia and include:

  • pale or yellow, rather than healthy pink, vulva (open up the vulva and look at the colouring inside)
  • whites of eyes yellow (a sign of jaundice)
  • lethargy – exercise intolerance, cows lagging on the walk to the shed
  • sick cows not responding as expected to treatment for conditions such as milk fever
  • cows go off their food and appear hollow-sided
  • a decrease in milk production
  • sudden death especially in late pregnancy or early lactation.

More like this

Tick eradication not Theileria silver bullet

Ensuring young stock are sourced from areas caught up in the outbreak of Theileriosis is still the best defence for farmers’ in areas where the disease is prevalent, says Bay Of Islands vet Garth Riddle.

Tick alert

DairyNZ IS alerting all farmers, including graziers, to keep an eye out for signs of a tick-carried disease that causes anaemia in cattle.

Treat now to fight Theileria – vet

FARMERS could safeguard next year’s calves against Theileria by treating cows for ticks in summer according to senior Vets North vet Mark Anderson.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as…

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand…

Machinery & Products

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

Can-Am showcases range

Based on industry data collected by the Motor Industry Association, Can-Am is the number one side-by-side manufacturer in New Zealand.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Papal visit

OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.

Thai egg tarts

OPINION: The hustle and bustle of one of Bangkok's most popular fast food outlets may feel a world away from…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter