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SporeWatchFacial Eczema Management Programme
The SporeWatch programme has been developed by specialists from Agri-feeds and FecPak International. It is designed to help you better understand the welfare issues associated with facial eczema, its causes, the risks it poses to your stock and what to look out for on the farm. More importantly it makes recommendations based on localised information offering treatment recommendations throughout the season that provide the best options for your animals. Spore Count and Weather Monitoring Firstly, start by watching the approaching weather patterns – MetService has a facial eczema danger prediction service. Keep in mind that ideal conditions for fungal growth can be: • Ryegrass dominant pastures • Dead leaf matter in the base of the pasture • Fairly still, humid weather with some light rain or heavy dews • 2-5 continuous mild nights with pasture minimum temperatures > 12-13°C Monitoring spore levels is the most effective way to judge when to use preventative treatment. Regular monitoring in conjunction with existing farm management practices such as stock observation will also allow you to make informed decisions on animal treatment and management decisions.
Regional Spore Counts
On-farm Spore Counts Spore counts carried out on your farm give a more accurate picture of the risk of FE and allow you to make a decision on preventative treatment that meets the specific needs of your farm.
Without regular on-farm spore count information, the lack of up-to-date information means that the FE exposure of the stock is guessed. This can lead to both under or over treatment.
Samples can be taken from pasture or faeces using the on-farm spore test and sent away for testing. These results will be sent back to you, along with treatment recommendations.
During low risk periods it is recommended to test on-farm every 2-4 weeks, building up to every 1-2 weeks as the risk increases with the change in weather conditions.
Faecal or pasture tests?
As spores are not distributed evenly on pasture, it is difficult to gauge the number of spores that have been swallowed by the stock unless the faeces are sampled.
Faecal spore counting has been found to be successful in assessing the extent of facial eczema risk.
Faecal spore counting involves counting the spores that have actually passed through the animal.
This gives an accurate assessment of the actual spore intake by the stock. Once the risk to stock has been assessed, then appropriate preventative measures can be taken.
Pasture tests mean you can check paddocks ahead of the rotation, allowing active pasture management to reduce your FE risk. However, in years when facial eczema is severe and all pastures are toxic this approach is not practical and more proactive prevention measures must be taken.
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