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Facial Eczema Risk Management

Don’t let drought distract you from the task of monitoring your pastures for the fungus that causes facial eczema. An outbreak of this condition is a possibility if temperature and humidity

By Department of Primary Industries - 2nd March 2007 - Back to News

favour the growth of the microscopic fungus that causes facial eczema.

Facial eczema, a disease of cattle, sheep and goats, is caused by a fungus Pithomyces chartarum, which grows in dead vegetation at the base of pasture. The spores of the fungus contain a toxin which, when eaten by stock, causes damage to the liver. Liver damage is responsible for photosensitization (sunburn), production loss and sometimes death.

The fungus grows best when humidity is high and temperatures at ground level are above 12-15^oC for a few days. In Gippsland, these conditions are most likely to occur during February to April.

All farmers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with monitoring and control procedures. The disease occurs sporadically, especially in the Macalister Irrigation District (MID). In some years multiple farms will be affected, however a small number of farms are affected with facial eczema in most years. The disease can cost a herd or flock thousands of dollars in deaths and reduced production.

Effective monitoring for the presence of dangerous levels of fungal spores on an individual farm can only be achieved if monitoring of spore numbers occurs on that farm. Spore counts vary dramatically from farm to farm and paddock to paddock, according to aspect, elevation, prevailing wind, pasture litter and height.

Preventative measures are only of value if applied before cattle graze toxic pasture. By the time signs of facial eczema are apparent, it is too late to implement effective control measures, unless spore numbers remain at toxic levels. There is a lag time of between 10-20 days between eating toxic pasture and the appearance of photosensitization and production loss.

The chemicals used to control or prevent facial eczema can be toxic if used for an extended period of time or if used above the recommended dose rate. These chemicals are not registered stock medicines and can only be used under veterinary advice.

DPI operates a subsidised facial eczema monitoring service in late summer and autumn.

Farmers can submit grass samples for spore counting to DPI offices at Maffra, Leongatha, Bairnsdale or Ellinbank before 1pm for submission to a veterinary laboratory. The cost of spore testing is $11 per paddock sample, up to a maximum of five samples per farm per week. Additional samples can be submitted at a cost of $22 per sample. Results are phoned through or posted as soon as they are available.

Farmers are advised to watch out for warm humid conditions in late summer and autumn, to spore test their own farms when these conditions occur and to discuss facial eczema prevention methods with their private veterinarian.

Farmers in the MID can access current weather records which may give some indication of the risk of conditions suitable for fungal growth by calling Animal Health staff at DPI Maffra on 5147 0800. Pamphlets on facial eczema and monitoring are also available at DPI offices.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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