Facial Eczema Risk Monitor

IT’S ESTIMATED FACIAL ECZEMA COSTS THE INDUSTRY AROUND $200M ANNUALLY

 

WITH ANIMALS SUFFERING FROM LIVER AND SKIN DAMAGE WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO ILL-THRIFT, REDUCED FERTIFILITY, AND REDUCED MILK AND MEAT PRODUCTION.

 

Prevention with careful planning and implementing a good management plan is the only method to avoid Facial Eczema (FE). 

We need to be using zinc treatment 2-3 weeks before the spore growth is in the danger zone for maximum protection. 

Being pro-active is key – start spore counting early! 

Facial eczema risk monitor 2025

Dannevirke February 24th – March 2nd  2025.

Counts are low.

All areas are within low toxin levels, with an average 833. We are in the midst of the risk period for facial eczema, with the current warm and wet weather favouring spore growth. Spore counts can vary drastically across paddocks and between farms. We recommend bringing in grass samples from your own farm to identify any risky paddocks ahead of grazing, as prevention is key.

Dannevirke February 17th – 23rd, 2025.

Counts are low.

All regions are within low toxin levels, with an average of 1,600.  We can’t stress enough how much spore counts can vary between farms and paddocks. We have recently seen a case of clinical facial eczema on a farm in our area, despite spore counts being relatively low.  If you have had problems in the past, it’s worthwhile collecting a grass sample for a spore count from your farm.  Remember that with facial eczema, prevention is always better than cure.

Dannevirke February 10th – 16th, 2025.

Counts are low.

All regions are within low toxin levels, with an average of 6,600. We recommend farmers in the Woodville region commence on-farm monitoring due to the current count of 20,000. Milk production and live weight gain should be monitored, a drop could indicate liver damage due to facial eczema spores.  A handful of bloods is a great tool to quantify any liver damage and indicate whether supplemented zinc is providing adequate protection.

Dannevirke 27th Jan – 2nd Feb 2025

Counts are low.

 

All regions are within low toxin levels, with an average of 7500. The current warm and wet weather conditions favour spore growth so counts are forecasted to rise. We recommend monitoring paddocks ahead of the rotation to reflect the challenge stock may be heading into whilst keeping in mind paddocks with a high spore count history or increased dead matter content may pose an even greater risk.

The routine monitoring of facial eczema spores has now finished for the season and thankfully, facial eczema hasn’t presented too much of a problem to farmers around our district..

If at any point you are concerned, please do not hesitate to bring in a grass sample for testing.

FACIAL ECZEMA RISK MONITOR 2024

The routine monitoring of facial eczema spores has now finished for the season and thankfully, facial eczema hasn’t presented too much of a problem to farmers around our district..

If at any point you are concerned, please do not hesitate to bring in a grass sample for testing.

Hope you all have a great Easter & stay safe. 

Dannevirke 27th Jan – 2nd Feb 2025

Counts are low.

 

All regions are within low toxin levels, with an average of 7500. The current warm and wet weather conditions favour spore growth so counts are forecasted to rise. We recommend monitoring paddocks ahead of the rotation to reflect the challenge stock may be heading into whilst keeping in mind paddocks with a high spore count history or increased dead matter content may pose an even greater risk.

Dannevirke 27th Jan – 2nd Feb 2025

Counts are low.

 

All regions are within low toxin levels, with an average of 7500. The current warm and wet weather conditions favour spore growth so counts are forecasted to rise. We recommend monitoring paddocks ahead of the rotation to reflect the challenge stock may be heading into whilst keeping in mind paddocks with a high spore count history or increased dead matter content may pose an even greater risk.

Dannevirke February 10th – 16th, 2025.

Counts are low.

All regions are within low toxin levels, with an average of 6,600. We recommend farmers in the Woodville region commence on-farm monitoring due to the current count of 20,000. Milk production and live weight gain should be monitored, a drop could indicate liver damage due to facial eczema spores.  A handful of bloods is a great tool to quantify any liver damage and indicate whether supplemented zinc is providing adequate protection.

COLLECTING A PASTURE SAMPLE 

                  • Cut a handful of pasture 1cm above the ground. Sample at least 5 different places in the paddock, with each sample site ideally more than 10m apart. Collection from several sites allows for any variation in the paddock.

                  • If there are slopes/hills within the paddock ensure samples are taken from the slopes as well as the flats.

                  • Try not to include soil in the sample. Avoid parts of the paddock sheltered by hedges or trees.

                  • We need roughly a bread bag full of grass to run the test. It is best to bring the pasture sample in on the same day as collection, however if this is not possible it will keep in the fridge overnight.

ZINC BOLUS SERVICE

For large mobs we have a conveyor available for zinc bolus, drench, vaccination and dip application.

For smaller numbers (>100) our technicians or a vet will come on site to administer the product.