Tri-State Neighbor: South Dakota Farm Newspaper

As the worst drought in 17 years continues to put stress on livestock, wither plants and leave grazing land barren in the Midwest, many producers will now have to consider another economic setback - mycotoxins.

According to James Pierce, coordinator of monogastric nutrition at Alltech, drought can bring more mycotoxins to the farm as plants become stressed and more susceptible to disease and infection.

“Historically the worst mycotoxin years are also drought years,” Pierce said.

The 2001 research paper “Current concepts in feed-borne mycotoxins and the potential for dietary prevention of mycotoxicoses” from the proceedings of Alltech’s 17th Annual Symposium states that moisture content during the growing and harvesting periods is one key factor in minimizing fungal infestation in crops and mycotoxin accumulation in feedstuffs.

The researchers, led by Trevor Smith of the University of Guelph, stated that during periods of drought there have been increased reports of fungal penetration and mycotoxin contamination of feed grains.

Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by molds in stored grain, forage, silage and in some pasture grasses. During a drought, these molds are stressed and can produce mycotoxins such as Aflatoxin, Fumonisins, Vomitoxin, T-2 and Ochratoxin as well as others that can contaminate feed.

Mycotoxins can have devastating effects on livestock. These molds reduce nutritive value and create dust and off-flavors that affect palatability.

Dairy and beef cattle can suffer from poor feed conversion, reduced milk production, organ damage and fertility problems.

Mycotoxicoses in poultry and swine can create problems from reduced feed intake, growth performance and immune function to lasting organ damage and infertility.

Pierce said that there is no “safe” level of mycotoxins in feed.

“There are regulated limits on mycotoxins, but the discovery of one in your grain does not tell you if that is the only one,” Pierce said. “Also they seem to work in synergy thus compounding their negative effects.”

This can create a dilemma in the field and leave an economic impact on producers.

While there is no known way to prevent the formation of mycotoxins, Pierce had a few suggestions for producers to battle fungal growth.

“Proper drying and storage techniques are a good defense,” Pierce said. “Also the use of a quality mycotoxin control agent is essential to ensure animal health.”

Mycotoxins are a leading area of study at Alltech. Through 25 years of research-driven product development, Alltech has created a range of natural solutions for the feed and food industries.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.alltech.com.

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