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Rainfall brings sudden increase in spore counts

Rural News
Rainfall brings sudden increase in spore counts

Welcome rainfall triggers sudden increase in spore counts says AsureQuality on 16th February. The much needed rainfall experienced in most parts of the country is triggering a sudden increase in spore counts and with that comes a warning according to AsureQuality's facial eczema monitoring programme manager reports Scoop. Wayne Baxter says the situation may become very dangerous in many regions by next week and full precautions by farmers on at risk farms need to be in place. Some places have experienced heavy rain and this may have washed spores off the pasture, however due to the moist conditions, if temperatures and humidity remain high there will be further multiplication of spores," he said. Areas recording high counts last week were Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty, Matamata and Waipa in the Waikato, and in the Lower North Island, Horowhenua, Tararua and Wairarapa.. Wairoa has given consecutive high counts since readings began this season. The moderate readings are also ones to watch, they are Rodney, Te Puke, Hauraki Plains, Piako, Raglan, Otorohanga, New Plymouth and Gisborne. Farmers now have an online resource to help the track facial eczema with weekly spore count reports posted on line with www.asurequality.co.nz , http://www.meatandwoolnz.co.nz/main.cfm?id=64 and www.rd1.com/sporecounts.Common techniques for preventing facial eczema include giving zinc oxide by regular oral drenching, intra-runimal long-acting boluses, and spraying pasture with fungicide. Infected animals may display signs of photosensitisation and look distressed. The first signs are often reddening and swelling of skin exposed to the sun (i.e. around the eyes, ears, lips and nose) as well as restlessness, shaking and rubbing of the head and ears, and seeking shade.

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