By Dr. Max Hawkins
The feedstuffs produced in the “Drought of 2012” have provided livestock producers a wealth of challenges. The crop has not only been a challenge from a yield and nutritional value, but it has also provided a wide variety of mycotoxins. Alltech’s 37+ Analysis, which can quantify over 37 mycotoxins in feeds and feedstuff, has identified that 94 percent of all samples were contaminated with 2 to 10 mycotoxins. Fusarium toxins led the way with Fumonisins, Trichothecenes B, and Trichothecenes A all being significant in survey numbers. Penicillium toxins and Zearalenone are also frequently identified in the survey.
Decreases in dry matter intake and milk production, as well as increases in diarrhea, gut hemorrhage and secondary infections can be caused by Fusarium mycotoxins.
Penicillium mycotoxins effect rumen function and can result in altered
volatile fatty acid concentrations. Zearalenone can also have negative effects on reproductive efficiency. Production and health issues such as poor transition, low peak milk, displaced abomasums (DA’s), and abortion can all be caused from mycotoxin exposure; however, so can necrosis, rough hair, dry muzzles, nervousness and tremors. There are times when these indicators can be associated with a change in feed or feed source, and then there are times when it is an accumulation over time that has lowered immune status.
As these mycotoxins were present at harvest, they have also been included with all of the feedstuffs that have been placed into storage. The rate at which these mycotoxins can increase and accumulate during storage is affected by temperature, moisture and exposure to oxygen. Therefore, as temperatures begin to warm with moisture present, grains in storage can see an increase in mycotoxin production. As silages are removed, oxygen penetration and environmental warming will increase mold growth and mycotoxin production. “Hot spots” can form rapidly and contribute to swings in production and health. When grain bins are emptied out, there will be a concentration of mycotoxins in the fines at the bottom of the bin.
Although the mycotoxin contamination level was checked at harvest or after the forage was opened, it is important to remind producers that it is a continual process to keep it monitored as environmental and management factors change. A completed analysis needs to be able to identify multiple mycotoxins so that the proper solution can be put into action. Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management Program can be a valuable resource and provide solutions to these issues.
Editor’s Note: This commentary is sponsored by Alltech, Inc. For more information on animal health and nutrition, go to: www.alltech.com
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