Facial eczema often goes unnoticed, but it quietly harms animal health, slows productivity and profitability.
Facial eczema (FE) is a liver-damaging disease caused by a fungus called Pseudopithomyces toxicarius, that grows on pastures. It affects sheep, cattle, llama, alpaca and deer, particularly during warm, moist seasons.
On farms across New Zealand
- Our Sheep Poo Study has detected spores across New Zealand including low levels in Canterbury and Otago. Learn more about the study here.
- FE can reduce growth, fertility, and milk production.
- Economic losses are significant; an estimated $332 million each year across the livestock sector.
It can be hard to spot early, but FE steadily undermines animal health, farm productivity and profitability. That’s why we’ve launched the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts (EFEI) programme, working with farmers, sector organisations, vets and scientists to tackle FE from all angles. From better management tools to finding tolerant animals, we’re focused on practical solutions that make a real difference on farm.
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New updated resources are coming to the Knowledge Hub in 2026.
