Thursday, 09 March 2017 15:15

With the rain comes FE

Written by  Peter Burke

A nationwide shortage of zinc – the preferred treatment for facial eczema -- is causing concern to dairy farmers in the North Island, especially in Waikato.

DairyNZ general manager extension Andrew Reid says the wet warm weather in Waikato and potentially in Taranaki and the Lower North Island has seen FE spore counts rise. Farmers are being urged to monitor this closely.

Reid says if farmers can’t get zinc they should talk to their vets about alternative products and check the effectiveness of such products.

Last season FE seriously hampered dairy and sheep and beef farmers.

The other area of concern, says Reid, is the West Coast of the South Island.

“They still have ongoing wet; there's no significant relief from the rain. Farmers have a watching brief from a wellness perspective, and they are frustrated at not being able to get on pastures because of the wet."

He notes that Northland and Hawkes Bay have been dry, but elsewhere farmers are poised for a reasonable autumn and are generally optimistic.

More like this

DairyNZ board sets new levy rate

DairyNZ has set a new levy rate of 4.5c/kgMS from 1 June 2025 and aims to keep the levy at no more than this rate for a minimum of three years.

Featured

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

National

Lame stories from a country vet

Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s…

Machinery & Products

Amazone extends hoe range

With many European manufacturers releasing mechanical weeding systems to counter the backlash around the use and possible banning of agrochemicals,…

Gong for NH dealers

New Holland dealers from around Australia and New Zealand came together last month for the Dealer of the Year Awards,…

A true Kiwi ingenuity

The King Cobra raingun continues to have a huge following in the New Zealand market and is also exported to…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Greenpeace a charity?

OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.

Synlait's back

OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter