A call is being made for farmers to take part in a facial eczema research project by collecting sheep poo.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand sector science strategy manager Suzi Keeling said the three-year study would help Beef + Lamb understand how widespread facial eczema was in New Zealand.

"It will help fill gaps in our understanding of its prevalence and whether a warming climate is having an effect on its distribution."

The disease, associated with a toxin-producing fungus, affects pasture grazing livestock and there is no cure.

The toxin could cause permanent liver damage, resulting in photosensitivity and sunburn.

If the animal survives, its production is limited for life.

Beef + Lamb’s Economic Service estimated the annual cost of facial eczema to the New Zealand sheep, beef, dairy and deer sectors to be around $332 million.

Those who volunteered to take part in the research would be playing an integral role in shaping future tools and solutions for facial eczema management.

"To ensure we get an accurate picture of facial eczema from every corner of New Zealand, we are looking for enthusiastic farmers — 22 each from 16 regions around New Zealand — to collect samples from October to May each year for three years.

"We want samples collected across New Zealand regardless of whether farms have experienced facial eczema in the past."

Beef +Lamb would provide instructions, sampling kits and cover the costs to courier samples to the laboratory, she said.

Those participating in the study would be required to collect samples 16 times, roughly every two weeks, from their mob of sheep each year of the study. The samples would need to be taken from the same mob of sheep throughout the season, but a different mob could be used each year.

"It’s as simple as taking a walk in a paddock. There’s no need to yard the animals. Just scoop up 10 individual fresh samples from the ground.

"In return for the samples, Beef +Lamb will provide faecal spore count results as soon as lab testing is completed, access to a monthly updated map showing spore counts around the country and a Prezzy Card at the end of the season if you are able to send all the samples in."