FECPAK Launches Faster Facial Eczema Testing for Farmers

This solution provides pasture spore counts and faecal spore counts, combining on-farm sampling with FECPAK's digital, AI-supported testing platform to deliver fast results and help farmers, veterinarians and advisors make earlier, informed management decisions.

New Testing System Provides A Complete Picture Of Facial Eczema Risk

The new facial eczema test helps farmers understand the spore challenge present on pasture and the level of spores animals have recently ingested.

Combining these two sample types with FECPAK rapid reporting and online results portal provides a complete picture of facial eczema risk on farm and supports better timing of interventions such as grazing management and zinc use.

Facial Eczema Remains A Major Cost To New Zealand Farmers

Facial eczema is one of New Zealand's most significant seasonal livestock health challenges. Because there is no cure, prevention is critical.

It is estimated to cost New Zealand farmers over $300 million each year through lost production, reduced growth, lower fertility and animal health impacts.

Monitoring spore levels gives farmers results to make informed grazing management decisions and timely, targeted treatment to avoid and protect against the disease.

This helps farmers reduce the risk of liver damage, production loss and animal welfare impacts associated with toxic sporidesmin exposure.

Moving Beyond Guesswork With Farm-Specific Data

Pasture spore counts indicate the number of spores present in a paddock, guiding decisions about where and when animals should graze.

Faecal spore counts indicate the number of spores animals have ingested over a recent grazing period.

Together, these tests help farmers move beyond guesswork and base their decisions on timely, farm-specific information.

Dairy Farmers Could Benefit From Daily Monitoring

Greg Mirams - founder and managing director of Techion, the company which developed FECPAK - said the ability to run quick, faecal and/or pasture spore counts on farm will be especially valuable for dairy farmers managing facial eczema risk through the season.

"For dairy farmers, the real advantage is being able to do daily faecal spore counts within minutes before washing down the yard.

"Cows bring the samples in for you, and the FECPAK Facial Eczema test gives a picture of their exposure to facial eczema. That means farmers can respond quickly by shifting the mob to a safer area or treating animals in a targeted way," says Mirams.

Trial Farm Sees Immediate Benefits

Tuanui Farming Company co-owner and operations manager Kieran Wills has been trialling the machine all year.

"I can't get over how easy facial eczema spore testing is; it's actually easier than conducting a FEC test.

"Before undertaking the facial eczema testing, we were making assumptions or relying on general regional information from vets that was usually at least a week old. Now, we have immediate data and can make management decisions based on fact rather than guessing."

FECPAK Facial Eczema testing sits alongside a wider range of tests including FEC, lung worm, fluke and new Worm ID for sheep.