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Facial Eczema Risk Bulletin

Welcome to our Facial Eczema Spore Count Bulletin for 2026 – this article will be updated each week, so please revisit to see what the spore count is in your area.

Facial Eczema Spore counts for week ending 20 March 2026
 FeildingAwapuniTararuaTaumarunuiLevin
No. of sites monitored:1447610
Average Spore Count20,00015,00025,00055,00050,000
Highest Spore Count:70,00040,000110,000210,000100,000
Lowest Spore Count:000010,000
Facial Eczema Risk Rating (Based on average spore count)MED-HIGHLOWMED-HIGHHIGHHIGH

Please Note: a ‘0’ count indicates that there were no spores found in the sample. If a sample isn’t taken that week, this is indicated by a dash or ‘no sample’. 

What is a toxic spore level? It is best not to use absolute levels, as stock grazing pasture with spore counts as low as 20,000-40,000 can sustain liver damage. More important considerations are rate of spore count rise, prevailing weather conditions, and grazing intensity at the time. Toxin effects on the liver are cumulative. Play it safe – start prevention as soon as spores are detected.

We have seen a sudden spike in spore counts at multiple sites this week, across both the north and south areas.

There have been increases at the drier sites too. Recent warm weather will be driving spore counts upwards. All stock should be receiving some form of zinc supplementation, and some may be coming up due for their second bolus.

If you have used zinc boluses in your stock, it would pay to double-check the calendar and see when they had their first bolus, so that they don’t end up with a lapse in protection with zinc.

  • Alpacas – All areas should be feeding zinc pellets. Alpacas are affected by facial eczema at low counts of 10,000, so starting zinc pellets at counts as low as 5,000 will help ensure ideal prevention before spore counts rise to dangerous levels.
  • Bolusing or oral drenching – All areas should have bolused or be doing zinc oral drenching.
  • Water dosing (cattle) – All areas should be at their appropriate zinc dosing levels. Consider full dosing if not doing so already.
  • Pasture spraying – This needs to be carried out early, before the counts rise. It is best to bring in some grass to see what your counts are doing on your farm. The spray will slow the development of the fungus but must be done before the counts reach 20,000. Pasture needs to be green and growing. Pasture will be safe for 4-6 weeks after.
  • Feeding a crop – crops are generally lower in spore counts. If you have a crop, then saving until counts are a bit higher may be helpful.
  • Breeding – Facial eczema tolerance can be selected for using rams or bulls. These tolerant animals can then leave progeny with some tolerance to facial eczema. This is a long-term plan.

If you have any questions, pop into the  clinic or give us a call on 06 368 2891 (Extension 1 for the farm team)

Read the bulletin in pdf here

Spore counting is $37 (incl GST) per sample, dropping to $30 for multiple samples. For instructions on how to cut grass see HERE 

Click here for further advice on facial eczema prevention.

If you have any questions pop into the clinic or give us a call on 06 368 2891 (Extension 1 for the farm team)

Signup for our facial eczema bulletin email here