Farmers have raised concerns over the effectiveness of chemicals used at livestock dipping tanks, claiming that ticks are no longer falling off their animals as they did previously.
The farmers suspect that the chemicals may no longer be effective, leaving their livestock exposed to ticks despite being taken through the dipping process.
In the country, farmers take their cattle to designated dipping tanks on scheduled dipping days as part of efforts to control ticks and other external parasites. The process is important in protecting livestock against tick-borne diseases, which can affect animal health, productivity and, in severe cases, lead to death.
During dipping, cattle are treated with chemicals intended to kill ticks and help control infestations. Farmers therefore rely on the process to protect their livestock and maintain their health.
However, some farmers said they were concerned that the process was no longer producing the results they had come to expect.
They said in the past, they would see ticks falling off their animals as they returned home from the dipping tanks, but this was no longer the case.
Some of the farmers said they had reported their concerns to veterinary assistants responsible for their respective dipping tanks, hoping that the matter would be addressed.
However, they claimed that there had been no noticeable changes.
Sipho Masimula, a farmer from Hlatikulu in the Shiselweni region, said they hoped the ministry of agriculture would intervene and address their concerns.
Masimula said farmers expected the dipping process to help control ticks on their livestock and were worried that the chemicals might no longer be working as intended.
When reached for comment, Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka acknowledged that the ministry regularly received complaints from farmers at different dipping tanks regarding the effectiveness of tick-control chemicals.
Tshawuka explained that several factors could contribute to ticks remaining on livestock after dipping. These included resistance to chemicals following prolonged use of the same product, incorrect mixing of chemicals and dipping tanks that were dirty and required cleaning.
He said the ministry dispatched officers to investigate and establish the causes whenever such concerns were reported.
Regarding chemical resistance, Tshawuka said the ministry reviewed the chemicals used and changed them when necessary, as prolonged use of the same chemical could affect its effectiveness.
The minister also said veterinary experts advised that it was not necessarily desirable for all ticks to fall off the animals immediately, explaining that livestock needed to develop some tolerance to the discomfort caused by ticks.
He said animals that were not accustomed to ticks could experience a shock when exposed to them, which could have serious consequences, including death.
Tshawuka encouraged farmers experiencing problems at their dipping tanks to report them to the ministry or notify the officers responsible for their respective facilities so that the concerns could be investigated and appropriate assistance provided.
| Issue | What the copy reports |
|---|---|
| Farmers’ observation | Ticks no longer fall off cattle after they return from dipping tanks, unlike in the past. |
| Named farmer | Sipho Masimula of Hlatikulu, Shiselweni. He wants the Ministry of Agriculture to intervene. |
| Earlier reports | Some farmers say they told veterinary assistants, but saw no noticeable changes. No tanks or dates are named. |
| Possible causes cited by the minister | Resistance after prolonged use of one chemical, incorrect mixing, and dirty tanks requiring cleaning. |
| Ministry action described | Officers are dispatched when complaints are reported. Chemicals are reviewed and changed when necessary. No result is given for this complaint. |
| Veterinary explanation cited | The minister says experts advise that not all ticks need to fall off immediately, because livestock need some tolerance to tick exposure. |
| What remains unconfirmed | The chemical used, number of farmers or tanks affected, inspection findings and any laboratory evidence of resistance. |
Source: Farmers’ accounts and Minister Mandla Tshawuka’s response, as reported by Melisa Msweli.
