Taking a sample for spore monitoring

HOW TO: Take a grass sample for spore counting to monitor for Facial Eczema

Monitor farm spore counts: when regional spore counts reach 20,000 spores/g of pasture begin to monitor farm spore counts.

Choose 4 paddocks that are representative of your farm and monitor.

Tips for predicting the most susceptible paddocks for spore counting:

1. Spore counts on north and west-facing slopes are usually higher than east and south-facing slopes.
2. Paddocks with a lot of pasture litter and those that are well sheltered often have higher counts.

To assess the facial eczema spore count risk:

1. Select a paddock that you wish to monitor. 
2. Cut a handful of grass with scissors or a knife, at 1cm above the ground level. 
3. Repeat the procedure at least 10 times, from random areas at least 10 metres apart in the paddock. 
4. Avoid parts of the paddock sheltered by trees and hedges and contaminating samples with soil and roots. 
5. Collect the sample in a clean plastic or paper bag, need 100g of grass (one bread bag full). 
6. Store in the fridge until taken to your local Franklin Vets clinic. 
7. Repeat sampling weekly in the same paddock, and take samples on the same path across the paddock.