Cattle Producers Voice Frustrations at Tick Outbreak Meeting in Taroom

The crowd at the tick meeting in Taroom.

Staff from Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries faced a full house of concerned and frustrated cattle producers at a recent Town Hall meeting in Taroom. The meeting, attended by over 150 producers, was called following a cattle tick outbreak reported last month in the Cattle Tick Free Zone.

Producers have expressed growing frustration since the outbreak, with many claiming they feel abandoned by the DPI. “We need surveillance teams on the ground to determine the exact extent of the infestation,” said Doug Stuart, a local cattle producer and third-party scratcher. “Both infested properties and their neighbors need thorough checks to assess their status.”

Stuart emphasized the necessity for experienced inspectors to guide producers on potential risks, treatment timelines, and intervals between treatments.

The DPI’s Jed Taylor, a former stock inspector and tick eradication officer, provided insights on inspecting for ticks, recognizing signs of tick fever, and biosecurity obligations. However, despite reassurances from Taylor regarding the DPI’s communication with affected properties, many producers challenged the effectiveness of these measures during the meeting.

The DPI’s Jed Taylor discusses inspection techniques.

“If we believe a property poses a high risk, the DPI will notify the owners,” Taylor stated. He also indicated that the department intends to follow the trail of infected cattle to mitigate the outbreak effectively. Yet, several attendees criticized the DPI for not adequately informing them of infected properties.

Concerns Over the Current System

Many producers voiced worries about the existing processes following Taylor’s presentation. Local livestock agent Terry Ryan opened the floor for questions by stating that the current system is failing. He advocated for a return of stock inspectors to oversee cattle movements and suggested increasing the number of clearing dips to enhance biosecurity.

Ryan recounted a troubling incident where cattle confirmed to be infected were later approved as “clean” by a different third-party scratcher. This raised concerns about the integrity of saleyard inspections from producers who have little faith in current practices.

Moreover, questions arose regarding the DPI’s reluctance to disclose the locations of infected properties. Taylor affirmed that the current policy does not permit such disclosures but promised to relay feedback to the Minister’s office.

Producers gather outside, eagerly awaiting discussions on tick management.

Producers also inquired about potential assistance for cattle treatment and the status of third-party scratcher accreditations. Taylor confirmed that some accreditations had been revoked due to lackluster performance.

• Beef Central will provide further updates on the cattle tick outbreak and the recent meeting in Taroom next week.