Research on the current Dipmaster Patent and Model began in 1999, when it was known as the Scorpion Dip Applicator. Rigorous testing was conducted on the applicator’s functionality. But the lessons on the field brought forth a new, modern, and more practical approach.

This evaluation by Professor Edward Webb from the University of Pretoria brought forth continuous critical thinking and experimentation to adapt to on-pasture field strategies, which deal with South African realities, such as the availability of labor, and the need for scientific as well as strategic parasite control, handling, and exposure to possible harmful chemicals.

We are thankful for his advice and exceptional, cold, critical approach. It was lessons needed. It resulted, over time, in a new product, rebranded as the Dipmaster Applicator. Patented by Spoor& Fischer Attorneys in Centurion.

	Evaluation of the Scorpion Tickicide Dip Applicator.     Prof E.C. Webb, M.Sc. (Agric), Ph.D. (Pret) Pr.Sci.Nat. (Anim.Sci.) Department of Animal and Wildlife Sciences. University of Pretoria Pretoria 28 April, 1999 1.1  Introduction Ticks are external blood parasites of mammals, birds and reptiles throughout the world.  Approximately 850 species have been described and these are grouped into tampans (Argasidae family) and shield bearing or hard ticks (Ixodidae family).  Both groups are important vectors of disease-causing agents to humans and animals throughout the world. Ticks probably transmit the widest variety of pathogens of any blood sucking arthropod, including bacteria, rickettsiae, protozoa and viruses. Therefore, this group of ectoparasites is regarded as one of the major constraints of commercial animal production on the African continent. Both dairy and beef cattle are subject to attack by hard and soft ticks.  Male, female and immature ticks feed on the blood and lymph with heavy infestations taking up to 70 kg of body fluid per annum. Of course blood loss, toxins and disease transmission cause a serious deterioration in the health of animals with is often associated with substantial economic losses. These organisms occur mainly in the northern and southern-coastal areas of South Africa and animals are usually affected during the warm months of the summer and early autumn. Ticks cause diseases such as Piroplasmosis, Anaplasmosis, Heart water, East Coast fever and Sweating sickness. In addition, ticks are also responsible for significant blood losses, skin damage, abscesses and production losses. In humans, ticks can cause skin irritation, itching, tissue damage, inflammation, tick byte fever and even Kongo fever. The various tick species occur fairly widespread throughout South Africa. Ticks appear to be intolerant to sunlight, dryness and excessive rainfall. They may live for as long as 2 to 3 years without a blood meal, but require blood before fertilization and egg laying. Their activity is often low during cold weather. Ticks occur on different parts of the animal body, but are most frequently found on the neck, skin, underline of the body, behind the head, legs and around tail (differ between species). 1. 2 Control Initially the animal industry appeared to cope reasonably well with this extensiveproblem by employing scientific dipping programs and by crossbreeding with more adapted breeds of livestock.  However, the pesticides developed for proper tick control are rather expensive and an even greater concern is the frequent over- or under dosing. The cost of these pesticides vary between R2,00 to R8,00 per animal for one treatment, depending on the specific pesticide. In recent studies at the University of Pretoria it was found that the accuracy of the dip application was poor.  Overdosing is generally uneconomical and may even double the total dipping cost.  Under dosing may result in increased resistance of ticks against the pesticide and more production losses. 2.  Research at the University of Pretoria 2.1  Aim The aim of this project was to quantify the accuracy of dip (containing a pesticide) application by means of the Scorpion dip apparatus. According to the description of the patent holder, the Scorpion dip apparatus can accurately dip animals according to their live weights. 2.2   Functioning of the Scorpion dip. The weight of the animal is distributed over its four legs.  When the animal steps on the Scorpion dip apparatus, a portion of its weight is transferred to the pressure plate which results in the release of a calibrated volume of dip on the dorsal area of the animal.  The calibration can be set according to the specifications of the dip manufacturer. 3. Method Cattle of different breeds, ages, sexes and physiological phases (e.g. not pregnant, pregnant, lactating) were used in these tests to quantify the accuracy of the Scorpion dip apparatus. The tests were conducted on animals that were used to the apparatus as well as on animals, which have never been dipped previously. This apparatus was designed to accurately apply dip on domestic and wild ungulates relative to their body weight. Therefore, the tests were done on different breeds of cattle and wild ungulates. Different breeds of cattle were used, because of the known variation in temperament between breeds.  The influence of body weight and physiological status of cattle was considered particularly because of the changes in body conformation and weight distribution during growth, pregnancy and lactation.   The Scorpion dip apparatus was first tested at the Hatfield experimental farm, University of Pretoria. The apparatus was installed according to the instructions. Friesland cattle of different ages, weights and physiological stages were dipped and accurately weighed by means of an electronic scale. The volume of dip was measured in a volumetric flask and expressed in milliliter of dip applied.  The volume of dip applied relative to the calculated volume of dip required relative to the body weight of the animal (calculated dose = 1 ml per 10 kilogram of live weight), was compared statistically by means of t-tests and regression analysis (SAS, 1991). The tests were repeated several times at the Hatfield experimental farm and at a number of cattle farms in the Gauteng area. On the farms, the Scorpion dip apparatus was either installed in a crush or at a gate. The weights of the cattle and the volume of dip were measured accurately. 4.  Results Various tests were conducted to evaluate the accuracy of dip application by means of the Scorpion dip apparatus relative to the body weight of the animals. The results obtained show that the dip applications relative to the body weights of the animals, done by means of the Scorpion dip apparatus were extremely accurate (P<0.05). This means that an accurate dose relative to body weight (tested at a 95 % confidence level) will be applied by means of the Scorpion dip apparatus. To illustrate the accuracy of application, the results obtained from two herds of cattle are presented in Table 1. 4.1. Accuracy of dip application on two groups of cattle by means of the Scorpion dip apparatus. (T-tests comparisons between the actual dip application and the calculated volume of dip required per kilogram of weight).
		Description Heard A   Friesland Cattle Heard B     Brahman Cattle Averages:     Heard A and B Application (ml V SD )  Variance              Median 56.7963 V 6.74153  45.4483                        56.0 57.9444 V 6.21977 38.6855                        57.75 57.3704 V 6.4859  42.0669                       56.0
			Differences between averages -1.14815 Confidence 99% Variance ratio 1.17481 Hypothesis Ho: Difference =0 Hypothesis Ha: Difference = #0   t = – 0.919834 by % = 0.05 # accept Ho
	This means that the dip applications did not differ significantly compared to the calculated volume of dip required per animal (relative to body weight). Regression analysis between the actual dip applications and the calculated volume of dip required relative to body weight was also done. The results are summarized in Table 2. Table 2. Relationship between actual dip applications and the calculated volume of dip required relative to body weight.
				Heard C Y = a = bX R = 0.75       RxR = 0.56  P«0.00001  (Wild and highly strung animals) Heard D Y = a = bX R = 0.80       RxR = 0.64  P«0.00001  ( Adapted animals ) Heard E Y = a = bX R = 0.81       RxR = 0.66  P«0.00001 Heard F Y = a = bX R = 0.82       RxR = 0.67  P « 0.00001   Heard F Y = a = bX R = 0.81       RxR = 0.66  P « 0.00001 Average Y = a = bX R = 0.80       RxR = 0.64 Std. fault = 4.03 F= 96.016,  P«0.00001

The results obtained for cattle of different weights, sexes and at different physiological stages show that the Scorpion dip apparatus is equally effective in terms of dipping the correct volume of dip on these different groups of cattle. A correlation of  0.8 was obtained between the actual dip application and the calculated volume of dip required relative to the body weight of each animal. This is a relatively high correlation particularly if one considers all the factors that can influence the accuracy of dip application (e.g. differences in age, weight etc.). In another test the effect of the speed at which the cattle walk over the Scorpion dip apparatus on the accuracy of dip application was evaluated.   The following results were obtained: Table 3.  Effect of speed of walking on the accuracy of dip application

	Description Walk slowly Walk fast/ run Average Application ( ml V SD   62.8125 V 7.26209   62.1458 V 8.4122   62.4125 V 7.975

Ho :  Difference between slow and fast walking = 0 Ha :  Difference between slow and fast walking = * 0 P = 0.95, t= 0.366293 % = 0.5 ; P = 0.715 * Accept Ho ;  This means that the actual dip applications and calculated volume of dip required did not differ significantly, and that the speed at which the cattle walk over the apparatus did not significantly affect the dip applications. In two group tests the total volume of dip application relative to the total weight of all cattle dipped were compared (Table 4). The effective dose of dip was 1 ml per 10-kg body weight. Table 4.  Total volume of dip application relative to the total weight of cattle dipped.

	Group tests Total weight of cattle Total volume of dip (ml)  Test 1 10080 kg 990 ml Test 2 10080 kg 1090 ml Average dipping rate 15 cattle per minute

Wild ungulates Die Scorpion dip apparatus was tested on Eland at the Johannesburg Zoo. For this purpose the Scorpion dip apparatus was hid behind and above the entrance to the boma. The Eland became used to the apparatus within a few days after installing it. It appears that the smell of the dip influences the Elands reactions.  When the Eland walked over the apparatus, the actual application of dip did not seem to bother the animals at all. The dip applications were quite accurate and occurred mostly over the thoracic and lumbar areas. Conclusions. The results obtained show that accurate dip applications can be made relative to the body weight of animals by means of the Scorpion dip apparatus. This apparatus is effective and economical in intensive and extensive farming systems.  Optimum dip applications were obtained after only one previous dipping procedure with the Scorpion apparatus.  Similar results were obtained in various studies with cattle and wild ungulates of different ages, sexes, breeds, body dimensions and physiological conditions. Although animals of different sizes and weights can be dipped in this way, a simple adjustment in the height of the apparatus is required, particularly for calves.  Simply fitting either a short or long pipe can make this adjustment. The calibration of the Scorpion dip apparatus can easily be set by means of a valve on the side of the apparatus.  The Scorpion was mostly installed at the end of a crush (with the gate open), but works equally well at a gate (ca. 1m ajar) or at the entrance of a boma.  The speed at which the animals walk over the apparatus does not significantly affect the accuracy of the dip application, although it is preferable that the animals remain as calm as possible.  Some animals will initially try to jump over the pressure plate, but usually get accustomed to the apparatus after the first or second session. It is advisable to cover the pressure plate with soil and hide the pipes, particularly for wild ungulates.  In all the tests conducted at the University of Pretoria and at the farms in Gauteng, not one animal was seriously injured. Evidently, the Scorpion dip apparatus provides an accurate method of dipping animals relative to their body weight. The results also prove beyond doubt that this apparatus is much more effective and economical compared to conventional methods of dip application. PROF EC WEBB DEPT. ANIMAL AND WILDLIFE SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA 28 April, 1999 Patent Lodging Date:   March 19, 1999 Patent Attorneys:  DM KISCH, South Africa South African Patent Application Nr 99/2215 International PCT Nr / IB99/00549: Places of Research:  United States of America and South Africa .