The onset of warm and humid conditions typically favours a rise in the facial eczema causing fungus at the base of grass in pasture, across most of New Zealand. When conditions are right (three nights of +12°C overnight temperatures1) the fungus releases spores onto the leaves of the plants, which may be ingested by ruminants. The spores release a toxin when ingested, similar to a mycotoxin, which enters the bloodstream and travels to the liver where it can cause severe, and potentially fatal liver damage.
The early onset signs of FE include a drop in milk production, restlessness, and seeking shade. This can sometimes then be followed by another drop in production, clear signs of red/raw peeling skin and weight loss when the condition worsens.
The big catch with FE and liver damage is that not all animals will show clinical signs. It is estimated that for every one clinically symptomatic animal, there is up to 10 more affected animals that do not show symptoms!1
Due to the hidden nature of liver damage, and the current lack of any cure for FE, prevention is the best tactic to stay on top of the disease. This is done by supplementing zinc, above the animal’s daily requirement.
When supplementing zinc, there are a few things to things to consider:
Test: When supplementing with zinc it’s useful to test the effectiveness of your dosing regime and adjust accordingly. Fonterra’s ZincCheck milk test can provide an indication of the level of zinc protection within your herd. Blood tests can also provide more specific insights.
Taste: Zinc is very bitter and when supplemented via the water, it can put animals off drinking. Ensure a flavouring is added to the water to avoid water refusal (and subsequent zinc refusal).
Concentration: There are several different forms of zinc on the market, each with different dose rates. It is crucial to ensure the dosage is correct to avoid under or overdosing.
Copper deficiency: High intakes of zinc have been found to inhibit the cow’s ability to absorb inorganic forms of copper. Supplementing with an organic form of copper during FE season will help mitigate any copper deficiency.
Regardless of how the cow is dosed with zinc, SealesWinslow have a solution to suit:
Zincmax+: A “3 in 1” water soluble zinc, that includes organic copper and peppermint flavouring.
Mineral Pellets with Zinc (South Island only): A 300g mineral pellet containing macro minerals and zinc oxide, suitable for mineral dispensers, mixed rations, and blends.
Mineral Max with Zinc (North Island only): Granulated minerals including macro minerals and zinc oxide, suitable for mineral dispensers, mixed rations, and blends.
Bulk feed pellets with Zinc: A wide range of customisable bulk dairy feed pellets, including zinc oxide and other optional additives, suitable for in-shed feeding systems and mixed rations.
No matter what product is being used, it’s important to start with a control programme early. Industry standards suggest supplementation should begin when spore counts reach over 30,000 spores/gram of pasture. Reach out to your local vet for spore count information and stay ahead of facial eczema this summer.
For more information, visit your local Farm Source store or talk to your SealesWinslow TSR today.
1 Dairy NZ. Facial Eczema. Dairy NZ. [Online] 2022. https://www.dairynz.co.nz/animal/cowhealth/ facial-eczema/.