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 FE Spore counts March 31st-6thApril 2025

Counts are low.

This is the eleventh week of facial eczema spore monitoring for the year with all regions producing low spore counts. Interpret these results with caution, spore counts can vary between paddocks and farms. If you are seeing clinical signs of facial eczema please reach out to a vet and bring in a grass sample. Monitoring is yet to continue for a few more weeks.

Dannevirke FE Spore counts March 24th-30th, 2025

Counts are low.

This is the tenth week of facial eczema spore monitoring for the year with Dannevirke returning the highest count of 20,000. Aside from this, all other regions currently present a low toxin risk.

Interpret these results with caution, spore counts can vary between paddocks and farms.

Monitoring will continue for a few more weeks.

If spore counts remain low, you may consider reducing zinc dosing levels. If you have been supplementing with zinc, we recommend testing copper levels prior to winter. This is to ensure adequate copper stores, as zinc can affect copper absorption.

Dannevirke FE Spore counts March 17th-23rd, 2025.

All counts have reduced into low risk.

Warm temperatures and rainfall last week saw the counts spike to moderate levels, thankfully returning back to low levels this week. However, take caution, we may see spore proliferation with the recent rainfall and humidity. Hopefully, night time temperatures stay below 12° and we don’t see another rise. Our monitoring will continue for another few weeks yet to cover the Autumn risk period. 

Dannevirke FE Spore counts March 10-16th, 2025.

All counts have increased.

We have received the highest spore count of 55,000 from Norsewood this week (pre-grazing sample). Dannevirke, Woodville and Weber all had counts of 35,000, bringing the regions average to its highest at 20,800, likely due to recent rainfall.

Apply preventative options, a combination of zinc supplementation and grazing management is most effective. Remember, while very high spore counts are dangerous over a short period, counts that remain lower but for a longer period can be equally damaging. 

If animals are showing clinical signs of facial eczema (think animals that look like they are sunburnt), this is likely the tip of the iceburg.

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.

Facial eczema spore count results for March 10th-16th, 2025 – yes we are early this week!

All counts have increased.

This is the eighth week of monitoring for the year with spores counts rising significantly from last week, due to recent rain.  The highest spore count was from Norsewood, with a count of 55,000.  Dannevirke, Woodville and Weber all had counts of 35,000, bringing the regions average to 20,800, the highest so far.

Consider bringing in a pasture sample for testing from your farm, particularly if you are in an area of higher spore counts as counts can vary considerably.  Paddocks that commonly present higher toxin risk include, warm with plenty of moisture, north facing and topped paddocks.

Consider preventative options for your stock, a combination of zinc supplementation and grazing management is most effective.

Remember, while very high spore counts are dangerous over a short period, counts that remain lower but for a longer period can be equally damaging.  See attached for some information on prevention options.

While you may see animals with clinical facial eczema (think animals that look like they are sunburnt) remember that only a small percentage of animals with facial eczema damage to the liver will show clinical signs.  Instead many will experience subclinical losses including reduced milk production and reduced weight gain.

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.