Key points

• NZ pastures have a number of fungi that produce toxins that can markedly reduce productivity. Facial eczema (FE) is the most common
• While clinical FE is well-known and easily recognised, farmers are often unaware of major lifetime losses due to sub-clinical FE
• FE outbreaks can be predicted from weather patterns and FE levels can be easily monitored from pasture or dung samples
• In FE-prone areas, it is advisable to use rams that have been selected for FE-tolerance
• Zinc boluses, while expensive, are effective in reducing the risk of losses due to FE