FACIAL ECZEMA, what is it and how to
reduce its effects.


Facial Eczema (FE) is a disease which affects sheep as well as cattle, goats and deer.  Sheep with the disease develop liver damage and in severe cases the animal will show visible signs of photosensitisation or sunburn.  Sheep with photosensitization appear very uncomfortable due to the painful itch that develops. 

Sheep with FE become ill-thrift and have reduced productivity and fertility.  In severe cases of FE, sheep will die or have to be euthanased. 

The disease is most common in warm moist conditions usually between January and May.  FE is caused by a toxin called sporidesmin which is produced by the spores of a fungus called Pithomyces chartarum that grows in the dead litter at the base of the pasture. 

This is a significant and unfortunately common disease for many North Island sheep farmers as its economic effects can be dramatic due to production decreases and sheep deaths.

Unfortunately, that there is not yet a cure for this disease and therefore prevention is the best option.  The most successful and recognised prevention option is resistance.  FE resistance is highly heritable at approximately 40% which therefore means you can make relatively fast genetic progress within your flock.

Buying rams from breeders who test their rams for FE resistance will therefore gradually help to build up resistance to this disease in your own flock. 

Here at Waikura Station we have been testing our rams for Facial Eczema resistance for 26 years and at a dose rate of 5.0.  We have made excellent progress, and we can really see the benefits of building on this gene pool.  The majority of our rams tested from our inner flock had no liver damage this year, at a dose rate of 4.9 tested under the Ramguard Plan at Ruakura.

We have a policy of lambing our hoggets and FE testing has really proven its worth here.  There has been evidence this year of a lot of FE with many properties around us losing high percentages of their ewes.  Testament to our breeding program, here at Waikura Station the hoggets scanned at just under 100% and we haven’t seen a ewe with any clinical signs.

If you want to reduce the economical effects of FE on your farm, purchasing rams from someone who has been selecting for resistance for 26 years is the best option.