Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate total tick burden and resistance differences of local indigenous breeds and Holstein-crosses (50%). Longitudinal study method was employed to assess the mean monthly half-body regions of total tick burdens. The mean monthly half body regions of total tick count on local indigenous cattle and Holstein-crosses (50%) were 75.2 and 201.7, respectively. The monthly mean half-body region of total tick count on the Holstein-crosses (50%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the indigenous breed throughout the study months. From 4425 collected adult ticks, Boophilus decoloratus (47.50%), Amblyomma gemma (21.06%), Amblyomma variegatum (18.31%), Amblyomma cohaerens (4.97%), Amblyomma lepidum (3.75%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (2.87%), Rhipicephalus muhsamae (0.79%) and Rhipicephalus guilhoni (0.75%) were the tick species identified in descending order. Among the tick species identified, seasonal variation was observed in four species, namely: A. variegatum, A. gemma, A. lepidum and R. evertsi evertsi. Animal health extension especially on tick control strategy should be in place in order to improve animal productivity.

Key words: Burden, Holstein-cross (50%), indigenous, resistance tick, Ethiopia.