West Gippsland farmers on facial eczema alert

West Gippsland farmers are being urged to take action after high fungal spore counts raised concerns about facial eczema affecting cows.

A spore count of 25,000 was recorded on January 16 at one sentinel farm in the district. Spore levels are considered dangerous when they pass the 20,000 mark.

Maffra veterinarian Jakob Malmo said the spore counts and weather conditions, which included warm nights and significant rain, would help the spores multiply.

“These climatic conditions could be favourable to the multiplication of facial eczema spores and sentinel farm paddocks should be closely monitored this week,” he said.

“Alternatively, given the significant rise in spore counts and the weather conditions, some people may like to consider adding zinc oxide to the ration of their cows.”

Facial eczema is a liver disease caused by toxic fungal spores in perennial ryegrass pastures. The following steps are advised to be taken by farmers in West Gippsland:

Monitor spore counts in their own paddocks. Implement facial eczema control and prevention strategies.

Treat cows. Zinc works, but it can only prevent facial eczema - it can’t reverse liver damage already done. Early intervention is critical.

Each farmer should work closely with their adviser and feed supplier to ensure their zinc supplementation program is effective and safe.

GippsDairy regional manager Allan Cameron said a collaborative effort was helping to reduce the impact of facial eczema on herds.

“This has been a co-ordinated effort between GippsDairy, Dairy Australia, Gippsland veterinarians and the local farming community to find the best ways to prevent and treat facial eczema,” he said.

“The dairy levy has been invested to set up sentinel farms and promote the latest facial eczema prevention strategies.”

Further information about facial eczema spore count monitoring, and control and prevention strategies, can be obtained on the Dairy Australia website www.dairyaustralia.com.au/facialeczema

You can also subscribe to get spore counts emailed to you as they are updated each week by contacting GippsDairy on 5624 3900 or info@gippsdairy.com.au