Welcome rainfall triggers sudden increase in spore counts says AsureQuality
16th February 2008
The much needed rainfall experienced in most parts of the country is triggering a sudden increase in spore counts and
with that comes a warning according to AsureQuality’s facial eczema monitoring programme manager.
Wayne Baxter says the situation may become very dangerous in many regions by next week and full precautions by farmers
on at risk farms need to be in place.
“Some places have experienced heavy rain and this may have washed spores off the pasture, however due to the moist
conditions, if temperatures and humidity remain high there will be further multiplication of spores,” Mr Baxter said.
Areas recording high counts last week were Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty, Matamata and Waipa in the Waikato, and in
the Lower North Island, Horowhenua, Tararua and Wairarapa.. Wairoa has given consecutive high counts since readings
began this season.
The moderate readings are also ones to watch, they are Rodney, Te Puke, Hauraki Plains, Piako, Raglan, Otorohanga, New
Plymouth and Gisborne.
AsureQuality has partnered with Gribble Veterinary, Agrifeeds Limited, Meat & Wool NZ, RD1, Dairy NZ and a number of veterinary practices and some of its own field technicians to produce regular
eczema sport count reports.
“Farmers in the regions showing high and moderate counts are being urged to keep a close watch on spore levels on their
farms and take appropriate precautions.
“ Farmers now have an online resource to help the track facial eczema with weekly spore count reports posted on line
with www.asurequality.co.nz , www.meatandwoolnz and www.rd1.com/sporecounts
Common techniques for preventing facial eczema include giving zinc oxide by regular oral drenching, intra-runimal
long-acting boluses, and spraying pasture with fungicide.
Infected animals may display signs of photosensitisation and look distressed. The first signs are often reddening and
swelling of skin exposed to the sun (i.e. around the eyes, ears, lips and nose) as well as restlessness, shaking and
rubbing of the head and ears, and seeking shade.
Facial eczema costs New Zealand farmers up to $100 million annually.
About facial eczema
Facial eczema affects sheep and cattle (and to a lesser extent goats and deer) throughout the North Island and northern
end of the South Island.
Historically these have been the most prone areas however changing weather patterns are resulting in facial eczema being
evidenced in wider locations.
It is responsible for serious production losses with affected stock suffering liver and skin damage, which together
contribute to ill-thrift, reduced fertility, reduced milk production, and in severe cases death.
Warm, humid conditions support the growth of a fungus (Pithomyces chartarum) in pasture which produces a toxin
(sporidesmin) that poisons the liver. As the liver cannot get rid of phylloerythrin, a chlorophyll breakdown product, it
circulates in the blood. Phylloerythrin releases energy when exposed to sunlight causing skin damage similar to severe
sunburn.
There are a number of management and prevention options available to counteract the risk of Facial Eczema, which is a
potentially fatal disease that thickens the bile ducts, subsequently damaging the liver of sheep, goats, cattle and
deer.
ENDS