Estimates of economic losses in cattle due to tick infestations in subtropical areas are limited, such as in Ecuador. Ticks affect animal production and health, but those direct effects are difficult to estimate since financial exercises carried out in farms consider both costs of the inputs and revenues. This study aims to quantify the costs of inputs involved in milk production and to know the role of acaricide treatment in the production costs on dairy farms in subtropical zones using a farming system approach. Regression and classification trees were used to study the relationship between tick control, acaricide resistance and the presence of high level of tick infestation in the farm system. Even though there was no significant direct association between high levels of tick infestation and the presence of acaricide resistance in ticks, a more complex structure for resistances operates in the manifestation of high tick infestation involving levels of farm technology and no acaricide resistance. Farms with higher levels of technology allocate a lower percentage of sanitary expenses to control ticks (13.41%) in comparison to semi-technified (23.97%) and non-technified farms (32.49%). Likewise, more technified and bigger herds have a lower annual expenditure on acaricide treatment (1.30% of the production budget equivalent to 8.46 USD per animal) compared to non-technified farms where it can represent more than 2.74% of the production budget and where the absence of cypermethrin resistance increases the treatment cost to 19.50 USS per animal annually. These results can motivate the development of information campaigns and control programmes targeted to the reality of small and medium farms that are the most affected in terms of the money they invest in controlling ticks.

Decision-making on tick control practices is linked to the level of knowledge about livestock farming and to the social context in which individuals practice them. Tick infestation is one of the main problems in tropical livestock production. The objective of this study was to characterize tick-control related practices in two tropical livestock areas and their potential association with the level of tick infestation. A total of 139 farms were included in this survey. To determine this association, a multivariate logistic regression model was used. A stepwise model selection procedure was used and model validation was tested. Cattle husbandry as a main activity, the use of external paddocks, the use of amitraz, and the lack of mechanization on the farm were related with high tick infestation. On the other hand, owner involvement in the preparation of acaricide solution was identified as a protective factor against high tick infestation. At animal level, age (old), body condition status (thin), and lactation were also associated with high tick infestations, while Bos primigenius indicus cattle and their crosses reduced the probability of high tick infestations. The factors studied, such as herd size, education level of the owners, and veterinary guidance, varied from farm to farm. Nonetheless, these differences did not generate changes in the level of tick infestation. According to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC), the model at farm level predicts a high level of infestation, with an accuracy of 72.00% and high sensitivity. In addition, at animal level, crossbreeding with indicus cattle and breeding selection for host resistance will be useful against high tick infestation. Likewise, the implementation of programs of capacitation and research on tick control for farmers, cowboys, and vets in these areas is necessary.

The application of tick control strategies on tropical dairy cattle strongly relies on farmers’ uptake, knowledge, and perceptions of the efficacy of control measures. This study aims to identify common and uncommon tick control practices employed by dairy farmers in subtropical areas of Ecuador and associate them with the presence of infestation and acaricide resistance. Data were collected through a cross‐sectional survey and participatory meetings. Multiple correspondence analysis was used to explore the association between management variables and the level of tick infestation and resistance. It was determined that the main method of acaricide control is still chemical, mainly using spray baths. Generally, when this form of application is used, acaricides are overdosed, in contrast to the pour‐on method with underdosage. Among the measures farmers adopt when chemical treatment has failed is to use overdoses of products, mix different acaricides, and use focused treatments (wipe cloth) with irritant substances. The absence of a high level of infestation was related to acaricide dips every 3–4 weeks and the use of intensive grazing. On the other hand, the high infestation was related to the use of organophosphates, wipe cloth application, and the report of tick‐borne diseases (TBDs). A small group of farmers have good knowledge and seek alternatives to chemical control, experimenting with biological controls, herbal extracts, manual tick removal, and paddock control. Additionally, farmers reported the presence of TBDs (47%) and the presence of animals poisoned by acaricides (6%), which died in 75% of those cases. Farmers frequently mentioned that tick infestation induces milk drop production and weight loss and is associated with the presence of TBDs. This information is crucial to improve tick control management in Ecuador, particularly through implementing practices that mitigate resistance to acaricides and ensure long‐term solutions that help maintain the efficacy of tick control treatments.

A significant body of research has analyzed the socioeconomic determinants of ethical consumption, nevertheless, most of those studies have been conducted in high-income countries. With data from a survey with national representation (n = 11,526), this study aimed at analyzing the socioeconomic factors shaping decisions of ethical consumption in Ecuador, a middle-income country, where agroecological production has been proposed as a strategy to reduce rural poverty while promoting sustainable agriculture. Price is the principal purchasing criterion for 78% of the households in the sample, while ecological/organic label and support to local farmers account for 11 and 3% of the sample, respectively. Brand is the principal buying criterion for 8% of the sample. Consistent with prior research, the results of a multinomial probit regression show that ecological consumers are statistically likely to be wealthier and more educated than their price-driven counterparts. Contrary to the findings of previous research in Ecuador, ecological consumers do exhibit environmental awareness. Those with support to local producers as their main purchasing driver are also featured by high levels of wealth and education, nevertheless, they are not as concerned about the environment as their ecological counterparts. The implications of these findings for policy are explored in the Discussion section.

Ivermectin is a widely used antiparasitic in livestock, but its use can result in residues in bovine products and excretions. The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of ivermectin residues in cattle meat, liver, milk, faeces, and urine and assess consumer risk from chronic exposure through contaminated bovine products using a deterministic approach. To determine the presence of ivermectin residues, 124 samples were analysed by liquid chromatography. Residues were found in 68% of faeces samples and small percentages (3%) in liver, milk, and urine, with no residues detected in meat. The mean ivermectin residue in the liver (16.46 µg/kg) remained below the maximum residue limit (MRL); however, in milk (12.46 µg/kg), the residues exceeded the permitted MRL. The results obtained from chronic dietary exposure show that the consumption of ivermectin residues was low, and the risk was assessed as being rare to very rare. Additionally, this study reveals concerning levels of ivermectin residues in milk that may far exceed established safety limits. This situation emphasises the urgent need for stricter regulations and monitoring in milk production, particularly from small farms, to protect vulnerable populations. However, from a one health perspective, the presence of residues in faeces poses potential environmental hazards, warranting further research. Moreover, the detection of residues in milk, despite the ban on ivermectin use in dairy cattle, underscores the importance of compliance with food safety regulations and the need for continued vigilance in this area.

Introduction. Food consumption affects the environment, so it is necessary to investigate what level of knowledge the urban population has about the origin of the food they consume. Objective. To design, validate, and determine the reliability of an instrument to assess the level of knowledge that the urban population has regarding agroecological foods. Materials and methods. The work was developed at the Universidad Central de Ecuador in Quito, Ecuador, during the period 2020-2021. The type of research was exploratory-descriptive, with a non-experimental design and stratified non-probabilistic sampling. The content of the instrument was evaluated using the Delphi method with the participation of seventeen experts. Two pilot tests were applied to 370 and 1323 participants. The internal consistency and the homogeneity index were determined using Cronbach’s Alpha. The dimensionality of the construct was established with the Cronbach-Mesbah curve. Construct validity was assessed with factor analysis. Results. The content validity showed a value greater than 75 % of convergence between experts. In the internal consistency validation, Cronbach’s Alpha was 0.9 and the homogeneity index was greater than 0.2. In the study of the dimensionality of the construct, the Cronbach-Mesbah curve indicated that the unidimensionality was fulfilled throughout the instrument. In the construct validity in the factor analysis, it was observed that the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure was 0.753. Bartlett’s sphericity was 0.000 and the factor extraction test was greater than 77 %. Conclusions. The instrument achieved high validity and reliability both in its content assessed by experts, and in its internal consistency, dimensionality, and construct validity performed by statistical methods. The instrument is reliable and can be applied in the urban population.