Virbac Australia

Flies, Lice & Ticks

TAKTIC^® WP acaricidal dip and spray for cattle

For the control of ticks, including organophosphate and synthetic pyrethroid resistant strains, on cattle in NSW and Qld and cattle tick on sheep, goats, deer and certain circus animals in NSW only.

Beef Cattle
Dairy Cattle

Australian made

WHAT IS TAKTIC^® WP?

A wettable powder for use, when diluted, as a spray or dip
Contains amitraz
Ideal pre-clearing treatment
Nil withholding periods

RECOMMENDED FOR

Regular intervals
TAKTIC WP should be used strategically at regular intervals throughout the tick season to break the life cycle of the cattle tick. In high tick pressure situations this is achieved by treating at 19-21 day intervals (the tick cycle from attachment to full engorgement takes 21 days), but this interval may be extended where tick pressure is not high. For areas with high paralysis tick pressure, treatment at 7-10 day intervals may be required to prevent deaths, particularly in calves.
Before moving cattle
TAKTIC WP should be used before moving cattle into tick-free areas (contact the Qld DPI to obtain the latest advice on procedures for crossing the tick line), onto ‘clean’ paddocks or into saleyards.
Treatment of visible infestations
TAKTIC WP can be used to treat visible infestations of ticks, particularly on cattle that are most susceptible to tick impacts (young stock and lactating cows).
Resistance testing
It is essential to understand the level of resistance to the various acaricides on a particular property. Any suspicion of product failure should be investigated thoroughly and assistance is available from DPI stock inspectors. A product should not be used where there is confirmed resistance, particularly where animals must be ‘clean’ to cross the tick line.

WHY CHOOSE TAKTIC WP?

Easy to use wettable powder
TAKTIC WP is an easy to use wettable powder that can be used in both plunge dips and spray races. For spraying applications, however, Taktic EC is recommended.
Highly effective
TAKTIC WP contains amitraz, a highly effective acaricide that controls susceptible ticks on cattle (including those that are resistant to synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates). Unlike many other products used for tick control, Taktic kills all stages of the tick and the ticks detach quickly after treatment. This can reduce the time required for holding cattle in yards before movement, and encourages rapid healing of the attachment site. Cattle are normally clear of ticks within 3-4 days of treatment. Unlike some other products such as the ML pour-ons and injections, amitraz has no activity against internal parasites, so use of TAKTIC WP for tick control will not inadvertently select for chemical resistance in worm populations.
Ideal pre-clearing treatment
TAKTIC WP is ideal for use as a preliminary treatment prior to presenting cattle for inspection at the Queensland tick line (as required by law) because it kills all stages of the tick and ticks detach quickly following treatment. This reduces the length of time required to hold cattle in a tick-free environment prior to movement and simplifies the management procedures required to minimise the chance of ticks being detected on the cattle during inspection and the additional holding times and costs that are incurred as a result.
Nil withholding periods
The nil meat withholding period of TAKTIC WP provides flexibility to take advantage of marketing opportunities. It allows animals to be cleaned of susceptible ticks prior to sending them to saleyards (as required by law) quickly and without any resulting withholding issues. TAKTIC WP has a nil milk withholding period, giving dairy farmers the flexibility to treat the milking herd when it is required. TAKTIC WP can also be used at short intervals to avoid the death of animals, particularly calves, where the paralysis tick pressure is high without generating residue problems.

COMPOSITION

Amitraz 500g/kg

DOSAGE & DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Initial charge, mixing and stabilising
For each 1,000L of water in the dip or sump, empty 500kg TAKTIC WP (one tin) into a bucket containing water and stir into a smooth creamy suspension. Pour into dip/sump, then rinse bucket adding rinsing to dip/sump. Do not retain opened TAKTIC WP or Taktic Stabiliser packs for later use. Use all the contents of each pack immediately after opening since TAKTIC WP and Taktic Stabiliser deteriorate in opened packs. Similarly, any unused, unstabilised dip wash should be discarded if not used within 24 hours. It should be retained for later use unless stabilised first. Stabilise by mixing the contents of one pack (10kg) of Taktic Stabiliser* per 1,000L of water in the dip or sump, taking care to distribute the stabiliser along the surface of the dip.

*Hydrated (slaked) lime (80% purity) can be used for this purpose.
Plunge Dip
For each 1,000L of water in the dip add one container (500g) of TAKTIC WP as an initial charge. Stabilisation (10kg Taktic stabilizer per 1,000L of dip wash) is always required. If the dip has not been used for 2 months, add a 10kg bag of lime for every 2,000L in the dip. When the level of the dip has fallen by 700L, top up by adding 700L of water and 500g TAKTIC WP plus 10kg Taktic Stabiliser. Mix as above. It is not advisable to allow the dip to fall by more than 700L from its original level.

It is essential that the dip be stirred at the start of each day’s dipping, and again if more than half an hour between dipping. Use at least 30 head of cattle through the dip and return these to the main mob for re-dipping.

If it is some time since the dip has been used, adjust the dip to make up for evaporation or flooding
Spray Race
TAKTIC WP can be used in spray races, however, Taktic EC is recommended as it mixes fully with water and does not settle.

Charge with 500g of TAKTIC WP per 1,000L, mixing as above. Stabilisation (10kg Taktic Stabiliser per 1,000L) is required when unused dip is to be retained for later use (more than 24 hours of initial charge). Each time the level of spray wash in the sump drops by more than 300L reinforce by adding 100g TAKTIC WP and continue spraying. Do NOT add water. Do NOT add Taktic Stabiliser. Continue spraying until no more wash can be pumped out. When the wash is polluted, clean out sump before charging. If the spray wash is not stabilised it is important that all spray wash remaining in the sump be pumped out before recharging if it has stood for more than 24 hours.

Once the suspension has been added to the sump, stir thoroughly using the pump or manually with a paddle. Spray wash in the sump must be stirred thoroughly at the commencement of each spraying session and again if there is a break of more than half an hour during spraying.