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With more humid weather conditions, farmers with cattle grazing on rougher, older pastures should be on the lookout for the signs of redwater in cattle.
Redwater is commonly transmitted by ticks, which can thrive in areas where there are heavy covers of old grass or dead grass building up.
The disease is spread once the tick bites the animal. The tell-tale characteristic sign that cattle are infected is a red colour in the animal’s urine, which is often frothy.
The darker the colour, the more severe the infection.
Eating soil
Cattle tend to go off their feed with severe cases, or try to eat soil as they will be low in iron.
Mature cattle reared on land where ticks are present generally develop immunity, but youngstock or bought-in cattle will be at risk.
Treatment will require veterinary assistance and in some cases a blood transfusion.
Herd cattle daily and make sure you put them up and see them eating normally.
Beef management: autumn bull finishing
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