Short Communication

Utilization of Tephrosia vogelii in controlling ticks in dairy cows by small-scale commercial farmers in Zimbabwe

Christopher T. Gadzirayi¹*, Edward Mutandwa¹, Marizvikuru Mwale¹ and Tembinkosi Chindundu²

¹Department of Agriculture, Bindura University of Science Education, P Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe.

²Research Assistant, Department of Agriculture, Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: gadzirayichris@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 263-71-7531/4, Fax: 263-71-7534.

Abbreviations: I.T.K: Indigenous Technical Knowledge; FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization; M.V.D: Modern Veterinary Drugs.

Accepted 2 November, 2007

   Abstract

The study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of Tephrosia vogelii in controlling ticks on dairy cows among small-scale dairy farmers in Mashonaland Central Province of Zimbabwe. T. vogelii treatment concentrations and Triatix D acaricide dip were randomly administered to 40 dairy cows. The experiment was carried out for 5 months in summer when there is high tick challenge. Counting of ticks was done on a weekly basis after every application. It was observed that T. vogelii could effectively reduce tick numbers on dairy cows. The results indicated that there was no significant difference between T. vogelli and the conventional Triatix dip at 5% level. The indigenous practices are, therefore, recommended to the smallholder dairy production farmers where modern veterinary drugs are not easily accessible.

Key words: Tephrosia vogelli, smallholder dairy farmers, ticks, acaricide.