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Rising tick pesticide resistance threatens South Africa’s cattle industry

14 August 2024 | Story Martinette Brits | Photo Supplied

Ticks that feed on South Africa’s cattle are developing resistance to the only effective pesticides, making them increasingly difficult to control. If this issue is not addressed, the spread of these parasites and their resistance to pesticides could significantly impact farmers' incomes and food security.

According to a study by Dr Luther van der Mescht, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Zoology and Entomology, many tick populations in South Africa are resistant to at least two of the three main types of acaricides (chemical classes) used in the country.

Dr Van der Mescht notes that with around 12 million cattle in South Africa, these ticks not only lower meat and milk production but also carry pathogens that can cause potentially fatal diseases. He estimates that the economic losses from tick-borne diseases and the use of acaricides could reach up to R670 million annually in the cattle industry alone.

He adds that South Africa's agricultural sector is unique due to its dual farming system, which includes both subsistence and commercial farmers, amplifying the impact of ticks. “The country is also home to a wide variety of tick species that transmit numerous pathogens across a diverse range of habitats and climates in which cattle are farmed. Consequently, the effects of ticks and tick-borne diseases in South Africa may be more severe compared to those in developed countries.”

Dr Van der Mescht highlights that ticks are developing resistance primarily due to poor farm management practices, such as underdosing, overdosing, and excessive use of acaricides. “Additionally, insufficient government support in educating farmers and managing resistance exacerbates the problem.”

Managing acaricide resistance

Dr Van der Mescht explains that while ticks will inevitably develop resistance to acaricides, this usually happens much slower if pesticides are used strategically. To slow the development of resistance, several measures can be implemented:

• Minimise the number of acaricide treatments.

• Assess tick diversity and acaricide resistance at the farm level and monitor it regularly. The study found that acaricide resistance was highly variable across South Africa, likely due to different farm management practices; hence it should be assessed at the farm level.

• Quarantine animals when transferring them to a new farm, ensuring they are free of ticks before releasing them.

• Rotate acaricides from different chemical classes, with a gap of at least two years between applications.

• Government veterinary services should raise awareness about acaricide resistance and provide support, particularly to under-resourced farmers. Establishing acaricide resistance testing laboratories would help monitor resistance and offer guidance to farmers.

Expert in parasitology

Dr Van der Mescht is particularly fascinated by the fact that most animals on earth follow a parasitic way of life. He graduated with a PhD in Conservation Ecology from the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology at Stellenbosch University in 2015, focusing on rodent parasites.

Career highlights include receiving the Wilhelm Neitz Memorial Scholarship in Parasitology from the Parasitological Society of Southern Africa (PARSA) for study abroad, and the Blaustein Centre for Scientific Cooperation Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2016 from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, to conduct research on the experimental evolution of host specialisation. He also received the Claude Leon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2019 to study the cat flea at Stellenbosch University’s Department of Botany and Zoology.

With over four years of experience in the industry at a contract research organisation, he has conducted more than 40 clinical studies for international pharmaceutical companies and published over 50 peer-reviewed scientific articles.

Making research visible, impactful, and relevant to society

Dr Van der Mescht recently published an article for The Conversation and participated in interviews with eNCA, Newzroom Afrika, and Cape Talk to discuss his research. “This effort aligns with the Vision 130 strategy of being a regionally engaged university and supports one of the key pillars of research development at the University of the Free State (UFS), which is to make our research visible, impactful, and relevant to society.”

He also highlighted the significance of popular science, noting that it helps scientists communicate their research to a broader audience, build their professional reputation, enhance their funding opportunities, and improve their research outcomes.

News Archive

Alumni in the financial sector: money talks!

2016-12-26

Marina Marinkov, Economist at the
International Monetary

Evangelina Nailenge, General
Manager: Investment Institutions at
Namibia Financial Supervisory Authority.

Vuyelwa Vumendlini, Chief Director:
Global and Emerging Markets, National
Treasury.

Prof Meshach Azaikpono, Professor of
Development Finance, University of
Stellenbosch.

Anton Nicolaisen, Provincial Head for
the Free State Province, Standard Bank.

Where are they now?

On good days, most of us battle to set our personal finances straight, let alone be responsible for a large enterprise. So we are extremely proud of the well-trained and talented Kovsie alumni who fill prominent shoes. Operating mostly away from the public eye, they make decisions to improve the economy on various levels. It is heartening to know that the UFS contributes to financial matters and training all across the globe.

Marina Marinkov

Courses: BCom (Economics), BCom Hons (Money and Banking), and MCom (Economics) (2000-2004)
Current position: Economist at the International Monetary Fund
Biggest career obstacle: I once worked for an organisation with poor leadership which negatively affected employee morale and job performance. It still proved to be a great learning experience, though. Bad bosses can teach us powerful lessons.
Best career advice: Stop doubting yourself, work hard and be humble.
Fondest memory of UFS: Time spent on campus with my classmates, whether studying for finals at the library or just catching up between classes. The UFS was also my first employer and I have plenty of wonderful memories with colleagues at the Department of Economics.

Evangelina Nailenge

Courses: BCom Hons (Money and Banking) MCom (Money and Banking) (2005-2006)
Current position: General Manager: Investment Institutions at Namibia Financial Supervisory Authority
Biggest career obstacle: At times, being one of the youngest requires you to work twice as hard to earn your voice and cue at the decision-making table.
Best career advice: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” Eccl. 9:10
Fondest memory of UFS: Walking around the campus. Its well-manicured lawns and gardens had a calming effect in the midst of academic pressures. I will forever treasure the moment I first saw my name engraved in the walls of FGG, as the best postgraduate student for both 2005 and 2006.

Vuyelwa Vumendlini

Course: BCom Hons (Economics) (1996-1999)
Current position: Chief Director: Global and Emerging Markets, National Treasury
Biggest career obstacle: Doubting your own capabilities.
Best career advice: The sky is the limit, go for it all out, but most importantly, do something that you are passionate about it. It makes your work much more meaningful.
Fondest memory of UFS: Working as a tutor in my honours year and being able to help other students. I also enjoyed hanging out at Mooimeisiesfontein on Saturday afternoons.

Prof Meshach Azaikpono

Course: PhD in Economics (2004-2008) “The Depth of Financial Integration and its Effects on Financial Development and Economic Performance of the Southern African Customs Union Countries”. He received the Founders’ Medal for the best PhD dissertation in Economics in South Africa.
Current position: Professor of Development Finance, University of Stellenbosch.
Biggest career obstacle: I was fortunate to never have experienced a major career obstacle.
Best career advice: Pursue and focus on your passion.
Fondest memory of UFS: Being a part-time student, I had very limited interaction with the broader university environment. But I really enjoyed the support provided by the library staff and the staff from the Department of Economics. It was always like coming to see friends.

Anton Nicolaisen

Course: BEcon (1986-1989), MBA (1999-2003)
Current position: Provincial Head for the Free State Province, Standard Bank
Biggest career obstacle: Earlier in my career, I fell into a comfort zone and had to acquire the willingness to change.
Best career advice: Continuously challenge yourself to be the best possible person you can be, and run your own race. Learn through difficult times, and be open to change.
Fondest memory of UFS: Although I was not the biggest academic, I enjoyed interacting with lecturers … their stories and unique characteristics. Back then, I interpreted some as funny or awkward, only later did I realise how much I had learned from them. And of course, I’ll always remember the team spirit at athletics meetings and intervarsity.

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