Facial Eczema Spore Counts
What is facial eczema?
Facial eczema (FE) is a major animal health issue in New Zealand, particularly affecting cattle and sheep across the North Island and northern South Island. It causes serious production losses of around $200 million annually, with impacts including liver and skin damage, poor growth, reduced fertility, lower milk and meat yields, and in severe cases, death.
FE occurs in summer and autumn when warm, humid conditions promote the growth of the pasture fungus Pithomyces chartarum. Grazing animals ingest spores that release the toxin sporidesmin, which damages bile ducts in the liver. This prevents waste excretion and leads to photosensitisation.
Early signs include:
- Reddened, swollen skin on sun-exposed areas (eyes, ears, lips, nose)
- Restlessness, head shaking, rubbing, and shade-seeking.
Contact Form
Please complete this form to request further information and we will contact you shortly. Please make sure you fill in all required (*) fields.