Resistance of Holstein-Friesian cows to infestation by the cattle tick (Boophilus microplus)

Abstract

In two experiments, the milk production of 59 Holstein–Friesian cows in mid lactation was measured over 1 week before artificial infestation with 2,500 or 5,000 Boophilus microplus larvae. Host resistance, the proportion of female ticks applied but not engorging was estimated from weekly counts of engorging female ticks of 4.5–8.0 mm long. Mean host resistance was 79 and 67% in two experiments. Host resistance was not significantly related to milk yield before infestation, to early pregnancy, or to parity. Culling the 10% of cattle with the least resistance to ticks would result in removal of 19–21% of ticks in a herd. The results suggest that selection to improve the existing low levels of resistance to B. microplus might be undertaken without compromising milk production. However, low levels of resistance among the cattle studied and difficulties in assessment of resistance are likely to limit the usefulness of selection within the Holstein–Friesian breed.