A survey of the extent of facial eczema in Hobson and Otamatea Counties, Northland

Abstract

Abstract Results of a questionnaire to farmers in Hobson and part of Otamatea Counties showed that facial eczema of sheep is of common occurrence on the sandy soils along the coast, but is more rarely encountered on the coastal clay soils or on the clay soils of the hinterland. This difference in distribution of the disease is ascribed to more extensive death of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) on the sandy soils in dry summer weather. The greater amounts of dead grass material provide for greater development of Pithomyces chartarum (Berk. & Curt.) M. B. Ellis, the saprophytic fungus which causes facial eczema.