Farmers urged to protect sheep stock against fungal disease

Ewes are fetching $130 plus on the current market and need protecting from the dreaded facial eczema.

To cash in on the bumper livestock prices farmers need to be proactive now.

Possibly the only threat to the bumper sheepmeat returns is the dreaded facial eczema (FE) and the fungal disease cannot be taken too seriously.

Independent Whanganui livestock agent and commentator David Cotton said recent reports of FE spore counts in the lower North Island reaching the 200,000 mark was of real concern and a serious threat to profits.

David Cotton.

"With ewes making $130 plus it makes very good business sense to invest in zinc capsules that give up to six weeks protection," Mr Cotton said.

At least some form of protection is needed and if not zinc boluses, then green feed crops or spraying fungicides — I would prefer the capsules personally.

David Cotton

"In some parts of the region FE spore counts have sky rocketed to over 200,000. When the count reaches 45,000 it's a real worry, but 200,000 is a serious risk and it will be too late once animals start showing clinical signs.

"At least some form of protection is needed and if not zinc boluses, then green feed crops or spraying fungicides — I would prefer the capsules personally.

"Back in 2016 when FE decimated livestock numbers throughout the North Island, I had clients lose up to 2000 ewes and at $130 plus at the moment that's a substantial financial loss," Mr Cotton said.

Some traders (finishers) were hesitant to buy in lambs at the moment because of the risk of FE. In the meantime, Mr Cotton was hoping the good times continued to roll.

"The lamb schedule has stayed at around $7/kg, despite the predicted drop of up to 50 cents/kg after the last ship sailed for the Easter trade in late February. The store market has remained strong with good grass cover, warm days and consistent rain.

"Interestingly, numbers fell in the store lamb market in late autumn with large numbers killed in November/December 2017 because of drought conditions. You can only kill them once and I can only see the store market going one way once the autumn green feeds crops require many mouths.

"I think the traders will have their work cut out trying to make a margin. The only threat to the market I see is the dreaded FE, so farmers need to be proactive now. It's not just the financial loss of losing ewes to FE, but where would you replace them from in any great numbers this year?" he asked.