Facial eczema monitoring - danger territory
AsureQuality's facial eczema monitoring programme indicates we remain in danger territory with spore counts still remaining high and the programme manager is urging farmers to remain vigilant.
In some areas there have been extremely high spore counts, with one extremely high count in the Waikato.
It's been reported by Gribbles Veterinary Pathology that clinical outbreaks are being seen in herds that have been treated. They further state this could possibly be to under-dosing of zinc or not being treated early enough in the season.
With all the rain around, zinc in water troughs may not be the suitable treatment option as stock will drink from elsewhere if they can to avoid the zinc treated water. Also drench guns need to be checked to ensure they are administering the correct amount of drench.
There is very good grass growth around so a lot of stock will now be grazing above the dangerous lower pasture levels.
Continued warm soil temperatures and tropical rain is expected. This will rapidly lift counts.
High counts as of last Friday's readings show a large area in the North Island are still high, these include;
Mangaturoto
Whakatane
Matamata
Raglan
Hamilton
Waipa
Otorohanga
Waitomo
New Plymouth
Gisborne
Wairoa
LowerRangitikei
Horowhenua
Tararua
Wairarapa
ENDS