9 December 2013
Prevention best protection for facial eczema risk
While hot humid weather across the country has provided the perfect conditions for lush pasture cover this spring,
farmers need to stay alert for an increased risk of facial eczema through summer.
Dairy and beef cattle, sheep, deer and goats are all susceptible to facial eczema which can damage the liver and cause
inflammation of the bile ducts and an accumulation of certain compounds resulting in sensitivity to sunlight.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Animal Nutrition Product Manager, Jackie Aveling, says even before physical signs appear
exposure to facial eczema can have a significant impact on animals particularly cows where it can result in an immediate
drop in milk production.
“Prevention is the best form of defence. For dairy farmers facial eczema can put a real brake on production when they
are aiming to make the most of reasonable growing conditions when peak production is tapering off,” says Mrs Aveling.
“It’s possible that farmers will not be aware of the full extent of a facial eczema problem until it’s too late. If as
little as three per cent of the herd show clinical signs of facial eczema, then subclinical cases can affect up to 70
per cent of the herd.
“This can eat into dairy profits with a drop in production in affected animals by up to 50 per cent, and with a record
payout following last season’s drought farmers want to ensure every cent hits the bank.”
Sub-clinical facial eczema is the result of exposure to the toxin sporidesmin, which grows in pasture. Spore counts
increase where grass temperatures are above 12 degrees for three consecutive nights and can vary from farm to farm and
even between paddocks.
Monitoring spore counts through summer and autumn through websites such as the AsureQuality spore count site, and having
an early plan of attack for facial eczema in place will ensure the hard work being put into maintaining a healthy herd
pays off in sustained production.
Zinc treatment during the season from late December to May is recommended to help prevent facial eczema. However the
challenge is that the common practice of dosing troughs with zinc sulphate doesn’t guarantee the desired result, as zinc
tastes bitter and can reduce water intake.
The solution is to improve the taste by using Zincmax+. This product is a combination facial eczema treatment with
Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines registration. Its peppermint taste makes it palatable and it includes
organic copper. The taste helps ensure herds keep up their water consumption, which is important given their needs can
exceed 100 litres at this time of year.
The organic copper helps offset zinc’s antagonistic affect which reduces the absorption of this important trace element.
Copper is important for production, immune response and also cycling ahead of breeding. Low copper levels can also
affect growth and fertility in heifers.
Zincmax+ is available from Ballance Agri-Nutrients, RD1 and other stocking retailers. Limited stock.
ENDS