Mycotoxicoses of grazing animals in New Zealand

Mycotoxicoses are some of the most important diseases of animals grazing pastures in New Zealand, especially in northern areas where the disease, facial eczema, occurs. New Zealand scientists have led the world in research on facial eczema and endophyte-related diseases associated with tremoring. Facial eczema (pithomycotoxicosis) was one of the first mycotoxicoses to be studied systematically and successful methods for its control now exist. Toxicity is caused by the concentration of sporidesmin in the biliary system and its redox cycling which leads to the formation of toxic free-radicals. Zinc salts are capable of preventing facial eczema. Their efficacy and safety for farm use has been demonstrated and intraruminal boluses containing zinc have been developed for use in sheep and cattle. Endophyte-related diseases have received special attention over the last 15 years. It is now recognised that Neotyphodium spp and grasses (especially ryegrass and fescue) are an essential symbiosis, making control of these diseases in grazing animals difficult. New Zealand research has demonstrated inhibitory effects of zearalenone, from Fusarium spp growing on pasture litter, on sheep fertility.