Spore counts and the potential for facial eczema in dairy cattle are increasing in the Eurobodalla and Bega shires, according to South East Local Land Services.
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Spore counts rose from 15,000 to 30,000 in the Bega Valley last week, and from 60,000 to 305,000 to 340,000 over the last couple of weeks in the Bodalla area.
These recent counts are well above the threshold of 20,000 spores/gram of pasture, when the radar goes up for the increasing risk of facial eczema and one count was well above 100,000 spores/gram of pasture which is the level recognized as being toxic for stock.
Bega and Eurobodalla dairy farmers in particular, are urged to be vigilant in their pasture management, submit pasture samples from any paddocks of concern and to consider using zinc oxide supplements for their stock.
Remember that the risk period runs from January through to the end of April.
If you have concerns about your pastures and FE, please consider submitting pasture samples to the Bega Veterinary Hospital for spore counting.
Spore counts from sentinel farms in the Far South Coast area (and Gippsland), and more information about FE can be found at https://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/farm/animal-management/animal-health/facial-eczema-spore-count-data
For more information please contact Helen Schaefer, district veterinarian, South East Local Land Services on 0417 296 739.