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Asian Longhorned tick spread forces cattle producers to change herd management strategies

A cattle producer from Missouri says animal health issues are a top concern right now.

Freddie Keaton raises cattle in south central Missouri, and is president of the Independent Cattle Producers of Missouri says the detection of New World screwworm in the U.S. is getting a lot of attention, but he’s more concerned about the prevalence of Asian Longhorned Ticks. “First and foremost, there’s no treatment,” he says.  “So if you do get it, there’s no way to treat it.  At least with screwworm, if you do get it there are avenues to treat it.”

Asian Longhorned ticks are the primary vector of theileriosis in cattle, which can cause severe anemia, reduced milk production, and death.

Keaton tells Brownfield the animal health chair for R-CALF USA has requested that the FDA to fast track a treatment for bovine theileriosis.  “It’s approved overseas, we’re just asking that it be fast-tracked and approved here so we do have tools and can battle the ticks.”

He says the ticks are forcing producers to change their management plans. “Everybody is buying cattle foggers,” he says.  “That’s the hot thing right now,” he says.   “Everybody is spraying cattle and manage the ticks the best they can. But, it’s not 100 percent effective.”

Asian Longhorned Ticks are female and can reproduced asexually, and can lay up to 2,000 eggs, which allows for rapid population growth. 

Bovine Theileriosis has been confirmed in 15 states, including Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska.

Brownfield interviewed Keaton during the 2026 R-CALF USA National Convention.

AUDIO: Freddie Keaton, Missouri