The results are in and this year’s North America corn crop contains a mixture of molds and mycotoxins, putting nursery, sow and finishing pigs at risk for mycotoxin exposure and a 6 percent loss in average daily gain, according to a recent survey by Alltech.
A survey of 46 North American corn samples from across the United States and Canada from September to November 2014 tested for mycotoxin contamination through Alltech’s 37+™ mycotoxin analysis found an average 4.6 mycotoxins per sample. This year’s analysis took the information from the survey one step further, revealing the costs associated from mycotoxin contamination and what pork producers can save by utilizing Alltech Mycotoxin Management.
“Based on Alltech’s 37+ results of the 2014 corn harvest, we see that the risk of mycotoxins to pigs is high. Scientific literature shows that at a similar risk level, nursery pigs may have a 6.3 percent reduction in average daily gain when consuming mycotoxins,” said Dr. Alexandra Weaver, Alltech Mycotoxin Management Team. “Additionally, feed conversion rate may be increase by about 4 percent. With this loss of performance, the reduction in net return per nursery pig is an estimated decrease of $4.21.”
Weaver, who examined more than 90 peer-reviewed papers, said mycotoxins on average cost nursery pig producers an 81 gram decrease in average daily gain, a 0.13 increase in feed conversion rate (FCR) and a loss of $7.42 per pig. From the trial analysis, Weaver concluded finishing hogs on average experience a 143 gram decrease in average daily gain and a 0.96 increase in FCR, resulting in a shortfall of $5.79 per pig. Sows affected by mycotoxin exposure lose an average 1.13 piglets per farrowing and 4.23 percent more are born dead. Weaver calculates mycotoxins cost sow producers $21.79 per litter.
“A 6 percent loss in average daily gain may not be observable on a daily basis, but producers will notice the different in body weight and increased days to market,” Weaver said. “By utilizing Alltech’s 37+ mycotoxin analysis and the Alltech MIKO program, we can better identify mold and mycotoxins present in grains and stored feedstuffs and pinpoint potential risks to production and economic returns.”
Many times it is not an acute case that can be readily identified, but a chronic situation associated with the ingestion of a low level of mycotoxins over an extended period of time. This results in a wide array of subclinical symptoms that slowly reduce performance, eat away at the producer’s bottom line and compromise animal health.
“While we boasted a record crop this year, quantity does not determine quality,” said Dr. Max Hawkins, nutritionist with Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management Team. “This year’s cool, wet weather delayed planting and harvesting and now that harvest is complete, we are dealing with storage and transportation issues that are putting the 2014 crop at additional risk for mycotoxin growth.”
Hawkins said while East Coast samples contained more mycotoxins with an average 5.7 per sample, Midwest and Canadian grains still should be a concern for the swine industry as Alltech’s Risk Equivalent Quantity (REQ) puts North America corn at a moderate to high risk level.
The REQ is an evaluation of the total toxicity of a given mycotoxin mixture based on the amount of individual mycotoxins in reference to Aflatoxin B1. For nursery pigs, this year’s corn crop poses a high risk REQ for Type B Trichothecenes.
“Mycotoxins can impact the whole body. Even low levels of mycotoxins can impact performance and multiple mycotoxins increase that risk,” Hawkins said. “We must remember corn is only one ingredient in the ration; other feedstuffs can introduce additional mycotoxins.”
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Results from Alltech’s 37+™ analysis show the North American corn crop contained an average 4.6 mycotoxins per sample, exhibiting a high level risk equivalent quantity for sows, nursery and finishing pigs.
Editor’s Note: This commentary is sponsored by Alltech. Through 34 years of research-driven product development, Alltech has created a range of natural solutions for the feed and food industries. For more information, please visit the Web sites atwww.alltech.com.
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