Beef farmers are invited to join the OPTICK Project

Supporting beef farmers in tackling tick-borne diseases
Beef farmers in the southwest are invited to take part in the ‘Optick’ project, a fully funded study that aims to understand the spread of ticks and tick-borne diseases on farms across the southwest.

What’s Involved?
The Optick project offers a step-by-step approach to help farmers identify and manage tick risks on their farms. Here’s what to expect:

• Farm Visit and Interview (Nov 2024 – Feb 2025)

Farm visit to discuss your management practices, tick control methods, land layout and other relevant factors. This initial step helps to understand the unique conditions on your land.

• Tick Sampling (April/May 2025)

During the spring, the team will collect ticks from your farm’s vegetation to test for tick-borne diseases, including Anaplasma, Borrelia, and Babesia spp. Data will be gathered on the local environment to understand factors that may influence tick populations.

• Ongoing Farmer Recording (Feb – Oct 2025)

You’ll keep records on any signs of tick-borne diseases in your herd, including symptoms of Redwater, tick-borne fever and Louping ill. Information will be gathered on treatments and environmental factors.

• Blood Sampling (Aug – Oct 2025)

Towards the end of the study, blood samples will be taken from 30-60 cattle on your farm to test for various tick-borne diseases, helping to gain a clearer picture of infection risks and tick-related health concerns.

Why Participate?
As a participant, you’ll receive a personalised report with details of tick distribution and diseases detected on your farm. This report will be a valuable tool for veterinary discussions and health planning, helping you build a proactive approach to protect your cattle.

To learn more or sign up, contact Sarah Hayes, the project lead, at sarah.hayes3@liverpool.ac.uk or visit: https://www.optick.ceh.ac.uk/