NSW cattle tick management strategy

The New South Wales government has introduced a $21 million cattle tick management strategy to be implemented over three financial years beginning in 2026/27. Announced by Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty, the plan moves away from property-based reporting toward a “whole-of-landscape” approach. This method categorizes regions into high, medium, and low-risk zones, prioritizing areas like the Tweed and Kyogle shires near the Queensland border.

The initiative seeks to reduce infested properties in the Northern Rivers from 867 to between 100 and 200. Proposed actions include independent regional surveys, upgraded treatment schemes, and potential area-wide movement controls to mitigate the spread of the Babesia parasite, which causes tick fever in livestock.

While the announcement was received by some, cattle producers have expressed caution. Craig Huff, chair of the NSW Farmers Far North Coast branch, indicated that funding might need to double to be effective, noting that previous programs failed to contain the infestation. Producers have requested further details on how landscape-level actions will be implemented.