Facial Eczema Possible this Year

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 68, Issue 2, 15 February 1944, Page 109

Facial Eczema Possible this Year

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PIE ■ dry , summer which is being experienced in most districts -of the North Island has resulted, in pasture drying off to an unusual extent, and . the condition of paddocks, especially in the Waikato and South Auckland districts, is now very similar to that which preceded the severe outbreak of facial eczema in 1938. Although air temperatures have not been as high as in the summers of 1934-35 and 1937-38 they have been several degrees above normal in most districts, and this tendency has been even more pronounced in the case of soil temperatures. Should, warm rains fall in sufficient, quantities, to cause a rapid flush of grass during February, March or April, facial eczema is almost certain to occur, especially in paddocks which are dry and bare. Cold rains, or rains followed by hot,;■ dry weather are generally not so dangerous. ; . In view of the very severe loss which the disease can cause, stock owners should immediately make provision for preventive ’ measures which must be taken promptly if they are to be ‘.effective. The important thing to remember is that / facial eczema, is caused by a poison which develops in the rapidly growing ■ pasture which comes away during the first two or three weeks after rain. The consumption of this must be reduced to .an absolute minimum. Each farmer must decide for himself how best this can be done, but he may be guided by the following general principles.. The most dangerous paddocks are those in which ryegrass and white clover are dominant, especially if they have been heavily stocked and eaten bare during the summer. Hill country carrying native pasture is generally safe, but slopes and gullies in which ryegrass is plentiful are often dangerous. Southern slopes are generally, safer than northern slopes. Peat areas,. especially those growing paspalum are relatively safe. The disease has never been reported on irrigated paddocks which have been kept green throughout the summer. Paddocks which were well covered with pasture before the rains are safer than bare paddocks. In addition to the above, experience has. shown that some areas on farms are safer than others, though the reason may not be obvious. If crops, such ’as maize, rape, pumpkins,

lucerne or roots are available they should be utilised. Should no safe areas be available the intake of the dangerous pasture must be restricted by over-stocking small areas to such an extent that they are kept almost bare and supplementary feed should be provided. This will obviously mean loss in condition, and in the case of dairy cattle loss in production. To reduce

this, feeding of some hay and/or silage should be commenced immediately so that stock may become used to it. It is important to remember that it is too late to act after the first cases appear. Preventive measures must be taken immediately after ’ sufficient warm rain falls to freshen the pasture and they should be continued for at least a fortnight. Pasture which grows after rain should not be considered safe until it has obviously . hardened either as a result of hot dry weather or following a cold change. In order to be prepared for prompt action if weather conditions render this necessary every stock owner in districts in which facial eczema occurs should decide at once exactly what he is going to do and make all necessary arrangements.