Farming conditions in Southern Africa vary tremendously, with grass type, climate, rainfall, temperature and so forth being very different from one area to another. These conditions can determine whether livestock parasites, such as ticks, flies and mosquitoes, become a problem.
For example, ticks, which can carry deadly illnesses such as redwater and heartwater, thrive in hot, humid regions. Farmers here therefore need to have good animal health regimens (such as dipping) in place.
In addition, their livestock will ideally be adapted to the region, particularly to known parasites. In other words, after ongoing infection by parasites over several generations, such animals will have developed a degree of immunity to tick-borne diseases. Indeed, some indigenous livestock breeds such as Nguni cattle and indigenous veld goats have a high degree of resistance…
