Friday, 22 January 2016 12:25

Plan to head off FE

Written by 
Farmers are being encouraged to consider the risk of facial eczema (FE) in the coming months. Farmers are being encouraged to consider the risk of facial eczema (FE) in the coming months.

Farmers are being encouraged to consider the risk of facial eczema (FE) in the coming months as weather conditions point to a 'bad' season with dry conditions looming.

"Plan for the worst and have a robust FE preventative plan that protects animals from this insidious disease," says Andrew Oakley, technical manager of Agritrade, the supplier of the Time Capsule zinc bolus.

He says rain after warm drought conditions and a shortage of pasture brings conditions ripe for spore counts to soar.

"The most favourable condition for the growth of spores causing FE is rain following long periods of dry. Dead pasture material at the base of the sward is the medium on which Pithomyces spores grow and warm ground temperatures (>12°C) following rain are perfect for rapid spore growth," Oakley says.

"As the pastures disappear with drought FE risk increases as animals are forced to graze lower into the litter where the spores reside. It's critical that farmers continuously monitor, using either pasture or faecal testing, to determine when preventative action is necessary to ensure animals are adequately protected."

Oakley says March and April are often the peak months for FE spore counts but high counts can happen in January or even earlier. "But animals need not be at risk.... FE is preventable with a sound management plan."

Sheep farmers especially should take note; often the breeding season coincides with peak spore counts. "Many ewe losses can be attributed to liver damage caused by FE and ewes exposed to even a moderate FE challenge can show a delayed onset of oestrus, a decreased numbers of oestruses and a reduced lambing percentage."

Oakley says spore testing is easy to do and is available from most veterinarians and takes the guesswork out of the equation. He advises to use district spore counts as a guide only as they are not applicable to individual properties.

While no one method is 100% effective against FE, he says the Agritrade Time Capsule zinc bolus has been a reliable preventative option for sheep and cattle for 20 years.

"By the time FE becomes visible, the damage to the liver has already occurred. Prevention is the cure."

More like this

FE spore counts climb

As New Zealand swelters in record hot and humid conditions, dairy farmers need to be more vigilant than usual against facial eczema (FE) as spore counts start to climb.

Beware - FE is here!

A disease that costs the primary industry more than $200 million a year is potentially coming to a place near you soon.

Plan now as El Nino summer lifts facial eczema risk

The anticipated El Niño summer is expected to heighten the risk of facial eczema (FE) and SealesWinslow consultant Nutritionist Paul Sharp says getting a preventative plan ready now will help protect animal health and bottom lines.

Disease on the move

Facial Eczema (FE) is a production-limiting, potentially fatal disease that affects both sheep and cattle.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter