Fungicide

CHIEF® FUNGICIDE

Your broad spectrum fungicide in fruit, vegetable and cereal crops. CHIEF is proven to reduce toxic spore counts to protect sheep and cattle from Facial Eczema.

Cheif
Last updated: Thursday, 16/05/2024 - 12:22 PM
What is Facial Eczema (F.E)
  • Facial Eczema is caused by ingestion of microscopic, toxic spores from Pithomyces chartarum fungus, which grows in the base of pasture swards
  • The toxin sporidesmin damages liver and bile ducts in sheep and cattle
  • Malfunctioning causes build up of unwanted toxins (phylloerythrin), which leads sensitivity to sunlight, poor growth rates, skin symptoms, and reduced milk production
Symptom and Effects
  • Symptoms will occur approximately 10 days following spore ingestion.
  • Sub-clinical effects can reduce milk production by up to 50%
  • Affects lambing – up to 12% more barren ewes; decrease in ewes carrying multiple lambs; increase death rates and lower productivity in ewes in subsequent lambs (up to 25% in a lifetime)
  • Stock seek shade and can be restless at milking
  • Physical skin symptoms showing up on the face and ears of sheep and udder and breech of cattle