A SURVEY OF CATTLE PRODUCERS IN THE BOOPHILUS-MICROPLUS ENDEMIC AREA OF QUEENSLAND TO DETERMINE ATTITUDES TO THE CONTROL OF AND VACCINATIONAGAINST TICK FEVER

A survey by mail was used to determine the views of beef producers in the Boophilus microplus endemic area of Queensland on the control of a nd vaccination against tick fever, Data from 448 questionnaires were a nalysed, representing 2.7% of beef producers in the survey area. Produ cers considered buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua) infestation a s the most important problem whereas tick fever ranked sixth overall, Private veterinarians were regarded as the most important source of in formation on vaccines for cattle followed by a weekly rural newspaper. From the survey we estimate that about 33% of producers used the tick fever vaccine produced by the Tick Fever Research Centre of Queenslan d Department of Primary Industries but there were significant (P < 0.0 5) variations between regions and herds, Large herds (greater than or equal to 400 head) in south-east Queensland were the most likely to be vaccinated against tick: fever, Of the producers who did not use the vaccine, over 70% replied that there was no need to vaccinate because of the low risk of the disease in their herds. In 52% of unvaccinated herds the treatment of animals with acaricide was considered the most important means of tick fever control and 61% of these herds comprised Bos indicus x Bos taurus or Bos indicus cattle.