The National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are hosting a free, two-day webinar symposium to address concerns regarding the Asian Longhorned Tick and its possible impact on the U.S. cattle industry.

The webinar is scheduled for Aug. 23-24 and is from noon to 3:45 p.m. (Eastern) each day.

The event will discuss the tick, which is causing many problems for cattle and producers. Current information from industry experts about how to identify and manage the tick will be provided to cattle producers, state animal health officials, veterinarians and other key stakeholders.

The Asian Longhorned tick is an invasive exotic pest. It was first found in the U.S. in 2017 and has since spread to 17 states.

It spreads to new locations by attaching to people, birds, pets and wild animals and can survive up to a year in the environment without attaching to a host. It is difficult to detect, because of its small size.

“Our goal is to inform and educate cattle producers across the country about this potential threat,” NCBA’s Chief Veterinarian Dr. Kathy Simmons said.

USDA officials and veterinarians from presently affected states will discuss the effects of the disease, possible treatment options and prevention of ticks on animals and in pastures.

The tick is aggressive and can lead to stress and severe blood loss in cattle. It carries diseases such as bovine Theileriosis, which leads to anemia, reproductive problems, failure to grow, persistent infection and in some cases, death. There is no current treatment for the disease.

“This tick species is of great concern, but producers can protect their herd through frequent inspection and by reporting sightings to their veterinarian or local animal health official,” Simmons said. “The first step is knowing what to look for, and I encourage producers to participate in this important webinar to receive the most current information.”

To register and learn more, visit www.ncba.org.