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Conference Agenda

Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).

Daily Overview

Session

CP16.1: Horses & Cows - 5 min talks
Location: Lecture Theatre 2
Session Chair: Abdul Jabbar, The University of Melbourne
Session Chair: Narelle Dybing, Murdoch University

Presentation 2

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Cattle Farmers Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in South-Western Western Australia

Abdul Ghaffar Qamar¹, Amanda Duarte Barbosa¹, Joshua W Aleri², Tracey Kreplins³, Charlotte Louise Oskam¹

1: Murdoch University, Perth Western Australia, Australia; 2: The University of Queensland, Australia; 3: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia

Ticks and tick‑borne diseases (TTBDs) are an emerging threat to human and animal health and livestock productivity. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding TTBDs among cattle producers in Western Australia. A 44-item questionnaire (covering farm demographics, knowledge of tick-borne diseases, attitudes towards prevention and control, and on-farm management practices) was utilised to survey cattle producers in the region. The survey was distributed through regional biosecurity groups, field visits, and online platforms. Among 108 producers participated, 83 were included in the final analysis. Overall knowledge was low, no respondent (0/83) correctly answered all six knowledge questions, and the mean score was less than 1 out of 6. Most participants recognised the adverse effects of ticks on cattle health (81.3%), however, awareness of zoonotic risks (18.8%) and diseases such as bovine theileriosis (BATOG) (31.3%) was limited. Only 26.5% of the respondents reported favourable attitudes towards tick prevention and control. Management practices were variable, with 30.7% classified as poor, 47.6% as moderate, and 21.5% as optimal. Acaricides were commonly used (63.8%). This study reveals a critical low knowledge among cattle producers in WA and inconsistent control practices. Improved on-farm tick management including appropriate control methods, and disease awareness is required.