Cattle tick-borne diseases: study of knowledge and practices among communal farmers in selected areas of the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose significant challenges to livestock farmers, particularly in subtropical and tropical regions. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of community cattle farmers on TBDs in Bela-Bela, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 50 farmers, focused on socio-demographic information, TBD knowledge, and livestock management methods. The study found that while 78% of farmers were aware of heartwater and redwater, only 60% had sufficient knowledge to treat these diseases successfully. Terramycin and Swamycin (oxytetracycline hydrochloride) were the most used treatments, although most farmers were unaware of appropriate treatment methods for redwater. In addition to these conventional treatments, some farmers employed Ultravec as an alternative therapeutic option to manage redwater in their livestock. There was a lack of knowledge about tick species and effective management practices, and most farmers did not implement biosecurity measures to regulate livestock movements or reduce the spread of infection. The survey found that most farmers practiced extensive farming and grazed livestock mainly on communal land. Seasonal variations in disease outbreaks have been observed, highlighting the need for improved education and training on TBD management, biosecurity measures, and tick control approaches. The results indicate a significant (P ≤ 0.05) association between gender and the number of cattle reared. However, there was no significant association between farmers' demographics and knowledge of TBDs. Strengthening farmers' understanding of disease prevention and improving access to veterinary services are critical to reducing the economic burden of TBDs in community farming systems. In addition, the use of indigenous cattle breeds with inherent tick and disease resistance is vital.