Dairy farmers have a new line of defence to protect their herds from facial eczema with the introduction of email
updates to farmers about the risk of infection in their area.
The weekly alerts are being offered free by rural supplies and services provider RD1.COM to help farmers keep on top of
the disease that costs the New Zealand dairy industry significantly each year.
RD1’s sophisticated weather tracking information includes facial eczema spore counts by region around the country. Spore
count levels are an indication of the risk to grazing animals of the debilitating disease.
RD1.COM offers farmers a weekly email containing the spore counts and risk level for each farmer’s region. Farmers can
also go to the web site to compare historical trends, or access other information to assist management or treatment.
RD1’s rural supply stores and online store stock preventative therapies for facial eczema.
CEO Brian Bilas said the service was part of RD1.COM’s commitment to be New Zealand’s pre-eminent farm supplies
specialist.
“We know how time-critical dairy farming can be, and this service means farmers will be sent this critical information
regularly, from which they can assess whether further action is required.”
Farmers can subscribe to the new service by simply logging onto RD1.COM, and choosing to register for ‘Spore Counts’
from the home page.
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