Facial eczema in hill country - potential toxicity and effects
on ewe performance
G.W. Sheath, R.W. Webby, R.C. Boom
Whatawhata Hill Country Research Station, Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries, Hamilton
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1987, 47: 45-48
The impact of a facial eczema outbreak on ewe performance, and
its link to pasture conditions, was assessed within a farmlet experiment
that investigated aspects of managing pasture surpluses in hill country.
Late disposal of lambs and grazing steep land during periods of high
spore numbers increased facial eczema in ewes. These effects can be
associated with grazing lower pasture masses. In addition to clinical
facial eczema deaths, there was a 2 - 3% increase in barren ewes and a
5-7% reduction in multiple births for every 100 i.u. increase in serum
gamma glutamyl transferase levels.
Pithomyces chartarum spore numbers were highest in easy contoured and
north to north-west facing paddocks and in ryegrass dominant microsites.
Numbers were least in south to south-west facing paddocks and in
pastures dominated by low quality herbage and/or low fertility demanding
grass species. The effects of facial eczema may well be reduced, but not
necessarily eliminated, if the variability in potential toxicity is
understood and wisely managed.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Pithomyces chartarum; ewe performance; topography; vegetation
type
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Last Updated 03-05-1997
