Facial Eczema Risk Bulletin

Welcome to our Facial Eczema Spore Count Bulletin for 2025 – this article will be updated each week, so please revisit to see what the spore count is in your area.

Facial Eczema Spore counts 7 February 2025

Shannon

Ihakara

Foxton

Moutoa

Waitarere

Levin

Ohau

Manakau

Otaki

Te Horo

5,000

0

15,000

5,000

35,0005,00015,0000

0

0

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.

The spore counts have risen for Waitarere, Shannon and Foxton this week. For the following sites, the counts are still low – Ihakara, Levin, Shannon, Manakau, Otaki and Te Horo. The dry weather has made soil conditions less ideal for spores, however with the rain here things will change. There is time to prepare for these locations. .

Please refer to the recommendations below for your method of prevention. We will continue to update you weekly with recommendations based on spore counts. Every property is different. We recommend spore counting your own property if you are worried. Talk to the tech team if you have any questions about how to collect the sample. Spore counting is $35 (incl GST) per sample, dropping to $28 for multiple samples. For instructions on how to cut grass see HERE 

  • Alpacas – begin feeding zinc pellets now for Moutoa, Foxton, Ohau and Waitarere. Alpacas are affected by facial eczema at low counts of 10,000.
  • Bolusing or oral drenching – You should consider bolusing now in Waitarere if you haven’t already. For other sites, wait until counts are around 20,000.
  • Water dosing (cattle) – All sites that have started zinc should continue according to your treatment plan. Waitarere should look to increase zinc in water if not done already. Look to increase every 5-7 days by a quarter. Avoid increasing the amount on very hot days. Commercial properties at all other sites should consider doing pre-zinc blood tests, if not already been done, before spore counts rise.
  • 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.

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)