This episode features Bevan Weir, mycologist at the Bioeconomy Science Insitute explores the latest research on facial eczema with new scientific discoveries about that there is more to the fungi that causes the livestock disease after 70 years of misidentification.

Since the 1950s, farmers have sent grass samples off to labs to count fungal spores and predict facial eczema risk. New research has revealed that for 70 years, labs have been counting two similar spore species as if they were the same – but only one of them produces the toxin that causes facial eczema. This explains why spore counts and actual disease sometimes didn't correlate, which has baffled farmers and vets for decades. 
This collaboration between the Bioeconomy Science Institute, Beef + Lamb NZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation has been recognised as a finalist in the Collaboration for Impact category of the Science New Zealand Awards 2026 (this is why you’re hearing from me rather than BSI comms; I’m working for Science New Zealand to build the media profile of the award finalists).

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen.