Sheep Poo holds Key to Facial Eczema Fight, Landmark Study Reveals
Palmerston North, New Zealand – A nationwide study analyzing sheep fecal samples is yielding crucial insights into the environmental factors driving outbreaks of facial eczema (FE), a debilitating condition for livestock. led by Beef and Lamb New Zealand, the research is uncovering links between elevation, pasture height, neighboring farm spore counts, and FE incidence, with the final season of data collection proving ”critical” to understanding the disease.
Facial eczema, caused by the Peziza fungus, affects sheep and cattle, leading to skin lesions, weight loss, and in severe cases, death. The three-year study offers farmers free testing, including sampling kits and prepaid return courier packaging, alongside regular fungal spore count results and access to an anonymized nationwide map tracking FE spore levels.
Beef and Lamb principal scientist Dr. Cara Brosnahan highlighted the early findings, noting the influence of environmental factors on FE outbreaks. “There’s already been some engaging findings…which revealed early signs that elevation,pasture height,and even neighbouring farm’s spore counts can impact FE,” she said.
The intensive data analysis is carried out by parasitologists at Awanui Labs in Palmerston North.Teams, led by Sarah Riddy, process up to 260 samples collected from farmers each fortnight during peak FE periods. Farmers submit 10 samples per mob,providing a representative “pool value” to assess risk across the group rather than individual animals.
The lab process involves meticulously weighing out a total of 10 grams of fecal matter from the samples, diluting it with 90 millilitres of water, and spinning it to ensure even spore distribution.Spores are then counted manually under a microscope using a grid system. “One thing parasitologists are good at is microscopy, we spend our whole days on a microscope counting. So we’re very good with numbers,” Riddy explained.
