The Economic Impact of Cattle Tick Control in Central Africa

Abstract

Increasing costs of tick control have necessitated a complete re-assessment of its economic impact. There are two main approaches to studies on production economics. Some researchers advocate a “systems approach” in which all production traits and their interactions are monitored simultaneously, whilst others claim that studies must produce specific data on selectively identified components in the system which can then be used in process/simulation type models. Studies were carried out in Zambia using a farming systems approach to quantify the effects of tick control on traditionally managed Sanga cattle. It seems that this decision was justified, because it is evident from the results that the determinants of the effects of tick control are extremely complex. Overall herd productivity, i.e. outputs of milk and weaner calf per livestock unit carrying capacity, was about 25% higher in a tick-free herd. However, the annual cost of control in 1988 at ZK286.26 per livestock unit was greater than the increase in value of the products at ZK175.48 per livestock unit carrying capacity. From this study, the intensive tick control in this system is not justified in the absence of serious tickborne disease. However, the analysis of various interactions indicate that limited seasonal tick control of adults from November to April would be economically viable. Calves should not be treated until they are 3 months of age.