Beef + Lamb New Zealand is proud to lead the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts (EFEI) programme, a seven-year initiative with a $20.75 million investment aimed at developing tools and solutions for farmers to successfully manage FE.
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Introduction
Facial Eczema (FE) is a severe and costly disease that has impacted New Zealand livestock farmers and their animals for over 100 years, costing an estimated $332 million annually to our economy.
The variable nature of the disease and lack of visible signs makes FE hard to manage, and often by the time signs are present, it is too late for the animal to recover. Due to climate, FE is spreading to previously unaffected areas of New Zealand, meaning that the disease will likely affect more livestock in the future.
The EFEI programme works to:
- Understand the social, economic and wellbeing impacts of the disease.
- Understand the genetics of the fungus and what triggers toxin production.
- Discover where FE is found across New Zealand and ways to predict risk.
- Develop a consistent approach for identifying cases of FE.
- Developing a cost-effective animal friendly test to identify FE tolerant animals.
- Investigate new tools and solutions for farmers to manage FE e.g. diagnostic tests (fungus and toxin), optimal pasture mixes, biocontrol options.
- Increase awareness through communications and extensions material while also establishing a network of farmers who champion FE management.
Through collaboration with farmers, researchers, veterinarians, extension specialists, rural professionals and industry experts we will develop practical tools and solutions for farmers to manage FE.
The programme, overseen by a governance group, is being funded 60 percent by B+LNZ and 40 percent by the Ministry for Primary Industries through its Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFFF) fund. Farmers and various industry partners support the programme through in-kind contributions.
For our most up to date information and management strategies for your farm, visit our Knowledge Hub.
*Register your interest in the programme here to stay up-to-date.
