NEWS
FE spore counts soar By Gerald Piddock
T
he hot, humid weather enveloping most of the North Island over the past month has sent spore counts for facial eczema (FE) soaring. Data on spore count samples collated by Gribbles Veterinary from most districts are above the 30,000 spores per gram threshold for treatment. The latest samples taken from the fifth week of monitoring showed spore counts spiking to over one million per gram from one area in Morrinsville in Waikato. In Whakatāne, the counts had reached about 225,000, in Franklin, Hauraki and Piako 200,000 and 100,000 in Waihi. In Waitomo, spore counts in the fifth week reached just under 300,000, about 125,000 in Taupō and about 240,000 in South Waikato. Further south in South Taranaki, the
counts reached 40,000 and just under 70,000 in Whanganui. In Gisborne, it reached about 150,000, 80,000 in Hawke’s Bay, 120,000 in Tararua and 50,000 in Wairarapa. FE is responsible for serious production losses estimated to be around $200 million annually with affected stock suffering liver and skin damage. The disease is caused by spores from the fungus Pithomyces chartarum, which grows in pasture and thrives on dead litter during warm humid summer and autumn months. Animals graze the toxic pasture and once in the rumen the spores release a mycotoxin sporidesmin, which then enters the bloodstream eventually finding its way into the liver and bile ducts. It’s important to note, FE is just like an infestation. If one cow has FE symptoms,
Humid weather has seen high spore counts for facial eczema in many parts of the North Island. it’s likely more are affected, even if they’re not showing signs. Some indicators to look for in your cows include restlessness, seeking shade, licking their udder and reduced milk production. With no cure, the best way to protect your herd is through prevention. Protection measures to reduce the risk of FE, outlined by Gribbles, include not grazing high spore count paddocks, feeding supplements, spraying pastures with fungicide, treating animals with zinc and breeding animals for tolerance. n
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