LOSING NUTRIENTS is just losing money. That was one of the key messages from Southland dairy farmer Vaughan Templeton speaking at last week's Fertiliser and Lime Research Centre conference at Massey University.

FACIAL ECZEMA (FE) occurs when grazing animals eat pasture containing large numbers of spores from the fungus Pithomyces chartarum. They contain sporidesmin, a toxin which causes inflammation of the liver and bile ducts.

SPRAYING PASTURE with a fungicide that kills fungus and inhibits FE spore production is the only direct means to manage spore numbers during risk periods. Fungicidal sprays provide a secondary benefit by controlling rust on ryegrass and also give opportunity to apply broad-leaf herbicides to improve pasture quality.

A NEW mobile hydraulic tipping crush is revolutionising hoof trimming of cows and bulls, and infusing teat seal in heifers, in south-west Victoria, Australia.