Paraboss for cattle; a new web resource to assist with the control of ticks, flies, lice and worms of cattle

Abstract

Over $350 million is lost annually by the Australian cattle industry due to parasitic diseases. Expertise in parasitology is being lost due to an aging workforce which has led to this Australian priority to consolidate existing knowledge. The Paraboss site will consist of around 300 pages of content, prepared by both national and international experts on tick, worm, fly and lice pests of cattle. The site will be targeted to the needs of producers providing an integrated pest management resource, as well as technical decision guides and advice on the effective control of parasites to improve cattle welfare in a cost effective manner. This MLA funded project is being created through a Queensland Government, University of Queensland and University of New England collaboration. The research outcome of the project will be an online information resource and tool for the regionally tailored management of cattle parasites. The site will also provide direction on programs to better guide pesticide use to lower the build-up of resistance.