FE Field Management Protocol

Design and testing of a management protocol to reduce exposure of dairy stock to Facial Eczema spores

This project will construct and test a management protocol aimed at reducing the exposure of dairy herds and replacements to Facial Eczema spores. It will assess data available on the timing of build up and location of spores in dairy pastures, and then test a protocol that allows farmers to act and customise this information to control exposure to spores on their farm. High Facial Eczema prevalence areas such as Waikato and BoP will then be targeted for improving farm management systems. Resulting improvements in animal health and productivity will lead to improved economic and social sustainability in those regions.

Expected outcomes of this project

Benefit

Once completed the investment will give farmers and their advisors a consistent process for implementing a FE farm management protocol. Farmers will have an approach that can be implemented with success by their farm staff, with improved indicators of safety and risk for grazing, and whether control measures are being implemented satisfactorily or not

When this project is successful, farmers will have confidence in implementing a FE farm management protocol every year and achieve greater success in reducing the herd’s exposure to spores and the associated negative impact on animal health.

Farmers will be more efficient at using prophylactic products, including zinc and fungicide, and have a risk management plan in place to reduce dependency on one control method alone.