Garrapatas in Argentina

by Melissa Weinblatt

Garrapatas, or ticks, are a major problem for livestock producers here in Argentina.

Ticks

I have visited numerous cattle operations in both Corrientes and Chaco, and will visit another here in Formosa on Friday. Regardless of the location, the cattle have been plagued by ticks - more ticks than I EVER wanted to see in a lifetime.

It is a serious issue, as products such as Ivermectins and Permectrins/Permethrins only serve as a temporary deterrant. The cattle are given actual baths in a Permectrin-based solution to kill the infestations. Treatment of this problem is very labor intenisve. The mass quantities of ticks are causing severe anemia in some cattle, thus drastically reducing overall production rates and even resulting in death.

These ticks are a special, subtropical strain - well, at least that is what I have been told! Regardless, they are MUCH bigger than any I have ever seen in Oregon. Even the more parasite resistant breeds such as Brahma cattle are severly affected.


The picture of the ticks in the palm of a rancher´s hand are small to average sized. I put my index finger next to them for size comparison.