Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Tick Control and Welfare

Tick infestation causes significant welfare harm in cattle through anaemia, skin damage and tick-borne disease transmission.

Key Facts

Ixodes ricinus, the sheep tick, is widespread in UK upland and woodland areas
Heavy tick burdens cause anaemia and skin irritation affecting cattle welfare significantly
Louping ill virus transmitted by ticks causes neurological disease and death in cattle
Acaricide treatments reduce tick burdens but have environmental persistence concerns
Pasture management including avoiding high-risk areas at peak tick periods reduces exposure

Welfare Considerations

Tick infestation causes direct welfare harm through blood loss and skin damage, and indirect harm through tick-borne disease transmission. Integrated management combining targeted acaricide use with pasture management reduces both welfare impact and environmental concerns.

What You Can Do

Implement tick monitoring and strategic treatment programmes on farms in tick-endemic areas
Work with a vet to develop an integrated tick management plan for your herd
Advocate for research into environmentally-safe tick control alternatives for livestock