Steer clear of these cattle breeds in Queensland! Curious which herd choices cost more than they save? That question matters when parasites and heat wear animals down fast.
Natural resistance to the cattle tick shapes long‑term herd health and cost. Tropical genetics often carry the edge here: Bos indicus types resist ticks best, followed by tropically adapted taurine and then European Bos taurus.
Short‑term chemical fixes work, but they add ongoing spend and labour. Practical breeding and within‑herd selection lock in tick resistance across a property. That lowers treatment bills, improves welfare and steadies beef production.
This guide gives clear steps producers can use today. It shows where tick risk peaks, how to compare young stock for resistance and which cattle breeds commonly falter under northern heat and parasite pressure.
Key Takeaways
- Natural resistance has the biggest economic impact on tick control.
- Bos indicus and tropically adapted types perform best under heat and ticks.
- Breeding and selection deliver permanent, low‑cost resilience for the property.
- Practical scoring and quarantine routines cut biosecurity risk and loss.
- Data and contemporary group comparisons help reduce chemical spend and lift welfare.
Queensland’s tropical reality: ticks, heat and pasture constraints in northern Australia
The tropical north creates a relentless trio: heat, heavy rainfall and higher tick numbers. In higher‑rainfall coastal and sub‑coastal belts, cattle tick pressure rises and seasonal spikes come with the first wet months.
Areas south of the official tick line treat detections as notifiable biosecurity events. That means immediate reporting, eradication steps and careful movement paperwork to protect neighbours and market access.
Heat load, humidity and long wet seasons drive parasite challenges. The dry season then cuts pasture protein and energy, increasing susceptibility and lowering production.
Practical lines of defence are straightforward: secure boundary fencing, planned inspections when moving stock across the tick line, and a three‑week on‑property quarantine with repeat treatments and checks for introduced animals.
- Calves born in endemic zones show early exposure; schedule resistance checks when tick numbers peak.
- Each property faces a wide range of environmental conditions; choose animals that show steady appetite, skin defences and lower parasite counts under stress.
- Adaptation ranks clearly: Bos indicus leads for resistance, tropically adapted taurine follow, and many European Bos taurus lines need heavy management.
Cattle breed to avoid in Queensland: types most at risk under tick and heat pressure
European temperate stock can struggle for condition and growth once ticks and heat mount up. In northern Australia those losses show quickly as weight drop, higher treatment costs and slower recovery after the wet.
Temperate Bos taurus (British/European) in the north: why many struggle
British breeds such as Hereford and Shorthorn do well where pasture is good, but they lose condition when pasture protein falls below 5%.
Under high temperatures and heavy tick pressure these animals need more chemical control and labour than adapted stock.
Unadapted dairy lines and tick susceptibility
Unadapted dairy animals like Holstein‑Friesian and Jersey show higher tick counts in wet coastal zones.
That raises mastitis risk and reduces milk energy, forcing costly treatments during lactation years.
Within‑breed variation: phase out the susceptible
- Watch individuals: some animals consistently carry more ticks than their mates.
- Phase out cows and bulls that record repeated tick fever or poor rebound after stress.
- Use selection and sire choices that improve herd resistance over future years.
What to run instead: adapted tropical options and composites for beef production
Producers in northern country often choose genetics that balance tick resistance with steady growth.
Bos indicus and tropically adapted taurine: advantages for heat and tick pressure
Bos indicus lines such as Brahman and Nellore bring strong skin defences and grooming behaviour. That combination cuts chemical use and helps animals hold condition through the wet season.
Tropically adapted taurine — Afrikaner, Tuli, N’guni and others — give better fertility and eating quality than many indicus while still handling parasites and heat far better than European Bos taurus. They suit softer country where markets value meat traits.
Composites proven in northern Australia and trade‑offs
CSIRO’s Belmont Red and Santa Gertrudis were selected for fertility, growth and resistance. Belmont Red blends Afrikaner, Shorthorn and Hereford genetics and delivers calm temperament and steady weight for age on grass under pressure.
| Type | Key strengths | Potential trade‑offs |
|---|---|---|
| Bos indicus (Brahman, Nellore) | High tick resistance, heat tolerance, low treatment needs | Can show lower fertility and more reactive temperament |
| Tropically adapted taurine (Afrikaner, Tuli) | Good fertility, better meat traits, improved parasite tolerance | Less extreme heat tolerance than indicus |
| Composites (Belmont Red, Santa Gertrudis) | Balanced growth rate, maternal ability, proven under northern Australia conditions | Variation exists; choose lines proven in similar environment |
Selection and crossbreeding stack adaptation genes while keeping an eye on carcase and market demands. Pick sires with recorded performance under like conditions rather than show credentials, and document results across cohorts for steady gains.
Best‑practice assessment of tick resistance before you buy or breed
Good measurement beats guesswork: a repeatable tick scoring routine reveals which animals carry real resistance.
Tick scoring versus counting: method, timing and interpreting scores 0–5
Use tick scoring as a practical alternative to full counts. Inspect one side for semi‑engorged ticks sized 4.5–8 mm and assign 0–5 where 0 = very high resistance and 5 = very low resistance.
Score during the start of the wet when tick challenge rises. Ensure animals had at least three months prior exposure and avoid treatments for six months before assessment.
Designing comparable cohorts: age, paddock effects and nutrition
Compare like with like. Create cohorts by age and sex and keep them on the same paddock so paddock effects and nutrition do not skew results.
In endemic country target weaners at 9–12 months. For meaningful separation, groups of 15+ should show the most infested animal with ~20 ticks per side; otherwise challenge is too low.
Using heritability and EBVs to rank animals
Resistance to ticks is moderately to highly heritable. Rank animals by lowest scores and match that with pedigree and performance before making selection decisions.
Recording and using EBVs where available improves selection accuracy; consult BREEDPLAN or your genetic adviser on recording protocols.
- Only score 4.5–8 mm semi‑engorged ticks; ignore tiny larvae and fully engorged adults.
- Keep records and use scores for buying, culling and mating plans.
- Lift herd baseline over time by selecting top‑ranked animals for retention and breeding.
Tick control, biosecurity and property management that support the right genetics
Good fences, careful quarantine and clear records are the backbone of effective tick control.
Secure boundary fencing cuts the chance stock stray into infested country and bring pests back onto the property. Any introduced cattle, buffalo or deer should be treated before arrival and held separate for three weeks.
Keeping stock isolated and inspected
Quarantine in a yard or dedicated paddock and inspect several times while treating with effective acaricides. Keep treatment records and yard movements for compliance and market access.
Vaccination and knowing species differences
In endemic zones, vaccinate for tick fever to protect susceptible animals. Know that cattle ticks are one‑host and reportable outside endemic areas, while bush and paralysis ticks are three‑host and require ongoing control.
Fast recognition and veterinary support are vital for paralysis tick cases; some toxins need immediate antidote.
Pasture and habitat fixes
Reduce undergrowth and blady grass where multi‑host ticks hide. Spell high‑risk paddocks during peak tick activity and coordinate mustering times with expected on‑host time windows.
| Action | Benefit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Secure fencing | Limits stray exposure | Stock‑proof boundaries reduce large number of incursions |
| Three‑week quarantine | Detects and treats introduced ticks | Multiple inspections, treat before mixing |
| Habitat management | Lower parasite load | Avoid blady grass and thick scrub in active season |
| Vaccination & records | Protects production and proves status | Essential for endemic areas and audits |
Pair biosecurity with selection and breeding — animals with better resistance need fewer chemical interventions and help secure long‑term production under tougher environmental conditions.
Building a resilient breeding program for Queensland conditions
Begin breeding choices with clear on‑property measures of which young animals carry fewer ticks.
Direct selection and the right assessment window
Direct selection for resistance delivers the fastest gains. Assess weaners at 9–12 months during the early wet when natural challenge appears.
Rank animals within contemporary groups and keep replacements from the top performers. Retain records of scores, body condition and treatments.
Indirect selection and correlated traits
Use low rectal temperature under heat stress and low worm counts as practical indicators. These traits often correlate with fewer ticks and better recovery.
Selection for growth rate has improved resistance in some susceptible lines, while keeping fertility and product quality steady.
Data discipline and working with BREEDPLAN
Set up tight contemporary groups — same age, sex and paddock — so comparisons are valid year after year.
Record dates, paddocks, treatments (or none), tick scores and growth measures. Engage BREEDPLAN or your breed society to align formats and future‑proof data.
| Action | Why it matters | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Weaner tick scoring (9–12 months) | Directly identifies resistant animals | Score during early wet; rank within groups |
| Record rectal temp & worm counts | Speeds selection using correlated traits | Simple checks at handling times |
| Contemporary groups & EBV alignment | Keeps comparisons fair and reproducible | Work with BREEDPLAN for formats |
Small, consistent selection and strict records compound into lower treatment needs and steadier production.
Conclusion
A pragmatic path for northern producers is clear: choose adapted tropical genetics and back that choice with steady within‑herd selection. Using proven cattle breeds such as indicus and tropically adapted taurine gives real gains in heat and parasite resistance.
Measure performance each season with timed tick scoring and fair contemporary groups. Keep records, work with BREEDPLAN and treat data as the basis for future breeding decisions.
Protect genetics with good biosecurity: fences, a three‑week quarantine, strategic treatments and tick fever vaccination where needed. Inspect introduced stock and keep movement records for the property.
Over time, more resistant animals need fewer interventions, ride the wet better and deliver steadier production and meat outcomes. The key is simple: pick suited genetics, measure well, cull what fails, and keep lifting herd resistance.
