work. Work with your veterinarian to develop a robust external parasite control program that includes ticks, biting flies and sucking lice.

Pasture Management

Because the Asian longhorned tick is endemic in hot, humid places during summer but can survive freezing conditions in winter, that’ s where it will thrive in the U. S. Like other ticks, it is susceptible to drying out, so direct sunlight or dry conditions are less favorable, which are two attributes that help in controlling it in pastures.

In the hot and humid areas of the country, the tick prefers tree lines and thick grass. Knowing that, John and Jill Settles use pasture management as part of their tick control efforts on their cattle farm around Springfield, Kentucky.

“ Our problems really started in 2024,” John said.“ We started losing cows right at calving or right after calving.”

They took several to a diagnostic lab and the results came back as Anaplasmosis. The next year, they had more sick cows, also showing signs that looked like Anaplasmosis. That year, though, they lost more calves than cows,“ We had about eight stillbirths and we lost some that were a day or two days old.”

Enter a diagnosis for Theileriosis. To that end, they have upped their management to control the ticks.

“ We’ ve made sure our back rubbers are charged,” John said.“ And I’ ve been keeping my pastures clipped, usually shorter than I normally would.”

The nymphs, larvae and adults stay close to the ground on grass and other forage, waiting for a host to walk by close enough to latch on to. By mowing close to the ground, the very thing the ticks don’ t like, sunshine and a dry environment, help keep populations in check.

Beyond that, the Settles use a pour-on when they work cattle.“ And anytime anything goes through the chute, I’ m doing an inspection around the tail head, the ears and between the legs and close to the udder just to see if I can find any ticks. So far, it’ s been minimal,” he said.

But the damage has been done. Historically, their herd has numbered around 100. They’ re down to 74 cows and only weaned 55 calves last year.

John gives this advice to other beef producers:“ Don’ t get lax in preventive measures. If you see cows that are lethargic, not staying with the herd, staying in the shade too much, breathing hard, pull a blood sample and get it tested.”

The ticks overwinter in most parts of the country, meaning they are a spring, summer and fall issue. And once a pasture is infested, clearing the infestation can be difficult. However, fencing off parts of a pasture during tick season where ticks are more apt to live is another management option to control their population.

Biosecurity Plays a Role

Testing is good advice, according to Julia Herman, DVM, NCBA beef cattle specialist, particularly when it comes to biosecurity when bringing animals onto your operation.

“ When you bring in new animals, what diseases are you testing for? Maybe Theileria needs to be on that list,” Dr. Herman said. Beyond that, quarantine new animals for 21 to 30 days and watch carefully for signs of sickness, she added.

“ The other part of biosecurity is monitoring your cattle and catching disease as early as possible. Some of the signs of Theileriosis are mild and other signs are very severe, like abortion. So keeping health records and making sure you’ re paying attention when health events happen is part of understanding how Theileria is working in your herd.”

But be aware, another rub with Theileriosis is the symptoms can be different in different regions.

“ Some of the things they’ re seeing in Virginia are opposite of

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