New Zealand Study Tracks Facial Eczema Impact on Sheep Farms

A recent study by Beef + Lamb New Zealand is investigating the impact of facial eczema on sheep farms across the country. The research, which analyzes fresh sheep manure, aims to provide farmers with a deeper understanding of how this disease affects livestock health and farm productivity. Led by Cara Brosnahan, a principal scientist in animal health research, the study has entered its third and final season.

During the second season, low levels of facial eczema spores were detected on four sheep farms in Otago, while one farm in Southland reported similar findings in the first season. The spores, produced by a fungus, pose a risk to all grazing livestock—except horses—when ingested in sufficient quantities, particularly from ryegrass pastures.

Farmers receive notifications when facial eczema spores are found in their manure samples. They are encouraged to continue submitting samples to monitor spore counts. If spore levels rise, it is recommended that farmers consult a veterinarian. According to Brosnahan, livestock may not exhibit clinical signs of disease if they have ingested low levels of spores, but hidden indicators can include reduced productivity and increased empty rates during pregnancy scanning.

The study has identified clinical signs of facial eczema from Northland to the West Coast. In fact, over half of the manure samples from the northern regions of the South Island showed clinical signs of the disease. Researchers are now working to confirm how factors such as farm elevation, pasture height, and neighboring spore counts may influence the risk of infection.

Participation in the study is free and straightforward. Farmers collect manure samples every two weeks from October to May, with Beef + Lamb supplying collection kits and covering postage costs. In return, participating farmers receive results that help them assess their risk of facial eczema, a subsidy of $40 for tested faecal egg counts, and a chance to be among 25 farms selected for additional monthly testing.

The economic impact of facial eczema is significant, costing the sector more than $330 million annually. Brosnahan emphasizes the importance of this final season, stating, “We need more farmers to take part, especially if they’ve never had facial eczema detected on their farm before—those results help build our understanding of this devastating disease.”

Facial eczema can cause severe liver damage in livestock from consuming infected pastures, leading to issues such as reduced fertility, weight loss, and in extreme cases, death. “There’s no cure, so you’ve really got to be on top of the management before that happens,” Brosnahan cautioned.

Sheep farmer Graham Evans from Barr Falls Farm in Owaka has been actively participating in the study and encourages other farmers in the region to do the same. He has been sending in manure samples since the study’s inception and has not found any facial eczema spores on his property. Evans remarked, “We don’t know what we don’t know, do we?” He believes that the spread of the disease to southern regions is inevitable, regardless of opinions on climate change.

Evans is committed to contributing to the study for the benefit of future generations of farmers. He hopes that more sheep farmers from the southern regions will participate, as conditions vary significantly across different farming environments, such as the Catlins compared to Central Otago or Eastern Southland to Western Southland.

As the study progresses, the insights gained will be invaluable in mitigating the effects of facial eczema and ensuring the health and productivity of sheep farms in New Zealand.