Alltech, one of the global leaders in biotechnology, has announced interim reports for Europe, the U.S., and Canada, containing preliminary findings of its mycotoxin testing program. Alltech’s 2024 Harvest Analysis offers early, detailed, and actionable insights about this year’s mycotoxin risks. The company will share the initial results from its harvest analysis and findings on mycotoxin risk on live broadcast on November 21.
Releasing its 2024 Harvest Analysis for Europe, the U.S. and Canada, Alltech will host a live broadcast focused on mycotoxins on November 21 at 10:00 a.m. EST. Streamed live from Alltech’s headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S., the broadcast titled “From Field to Feed: 2024 Crop and Mycotoxin Analysis” will cover global weather impacts on crops, preliminary harvest results from key regions, trends in global trade and supply chains, practical tips for optimising feed decisions and a live panel discussion.
Mycotoxins, which are natural substances produced by moulds and fungi, are a concern for livestock producers as they can influence feed quality and subsequent animal health and performance. Unfortunately, they are more prevalent — and more of a problem in agriculture — than ever before. According to Alltech’s statement, more than 95% of crops today are contaminated with at least one mycotoxin, and usually two or more. Because these toxins are difficult to detect, they can cause significant damage to animal health before producers even realize they are present.
A proactive mycotoxin management program is essential, and the first step is learning which mycotoxins pose the highest risk in specific regions, crops and species, Alltech states.
Early insights reveal regional mycotoxin variability, according to the 2024 Harvest Analysis from Alltech.
2024 EUROPEAN HARVEST ANALYSIS
The company’s interim report with the preliminary findings of its mycotoxin testing programme, the Alltech 2024 European Harvest Analysis, offers early, detailed and actionable insights about this year’s mycotoxin risks.
The Alltech 2024 European Harvest Analysis programme tests samples of new-crop grains and forages collected from farms or animal feed production sites in 20 countries, ensuring a picture of mycotoxin contamination across the continent. Unveiling that all samples are tested at the leading-edge Alltech 37+ lab, which can detect the presence of 54 mycotoxins, Alltech explains that corn samples from central and southern Europe are also tested in collaboration with SGS, one of the global leaders in mycotoxin testing and certification.
The newly released interim report shows moderate to high mycotoxin risk so far in 2024, with significant regional variations. This is similar to the results seen at this time last year. According to the report, type B trichothecenes and emerging mycotoxins are most prevalent, but type B trichothecenes like deoxynivalenol are bringing the most risk in grains.
Increasing weather fluctuations are a major contributor to today’s rising mycotoxin risks, which vary widely by region. For example, early-season rains and floods followed by late-season droughts have created distinct challenges for crop producers this year across central and southeastern Europe. Some countries, including Hungary, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria, are showing high levels of aflatoxin B1 in corn grain samples, with concentrations of up to 506 ppb.
“This year’s weather in Europe has been extreme and unpredictable, which has been reflected in the behaviour of moulds and the production of mycotoxins. The mycotoxin risk for all animal species is medium to high, and for some mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin B1, even extremely high,” said Dr. Radka Borutova, Global Technical Support for the Technology Group at Alltech. “The application of effective mycotoxin management is the only way to break this deadlock.”
Other key results from the Alltech 2024 European Harvest Analysis so far include:
- Wheat and barley
Wheat samples analysed to date are averaging 7.7 mycotoxins per sample, with 99% containing multiple mycotoxins. Barley samples show an average of 6.3 mycotoxins, with 98% of samples containing multiple mycotoxins. The most prevalent mycotoxins in both wheat and barley are emerging mycotoxins and type B trichothecenes. The overall risk for both barley and wheat is moderate. - Straw
For straw, samples tested so far show an average of 5.9 mycotoxins per sample, with 91% of samples containing multiple mycotoxins. The most prevalent are emerging mycotoxins and deoxynivalenol, with the overall risk being high. - Forages
For grass and corn silage, the preliminary findings show 2.9 mycotoxins per sample on average, with 68% of samples containing multiple mycotoxins. The most prevalent are type B trichothecenes and Penicillium mycotoxins such as penicillic acid, mycophenolic acid and patulin, with the overall risk being high.
Once testing and analysis have been completed, the full Alltech 2024 European Harvest Analysis report will be released, giving a more complete and detailed breakdown of key results by region, crop and species.
2024 U.S. HARVEST ANALYSIS
Preliminary analysis of corn silage samples in the U.S. reveals a high increase in mycotoxin contamination compared to 2023, with all samples containing two or more mycotoxins.
“The weather pattern for 2024 is a prime driver for the change in corn silage mycotoxin risk. The precipitation over the upper Midwest started early and, in many areas, delayed planting or caused replanting,” explained Dr. Max Hawkins, Technical Support Manager with Alltech’s mycotoxin management team. “This excess moisture is a stimulant for Fusarium mould growth, which can produce mycotoxins such as type B trichothecenes, emerging mycotoxins and zearalenone. Overall, the numbers of mycotoxins per sample are 8.3 for 2024 versus 5.3 for 2023. The risk equivalent quantity (REQ), or risk estimate, from all the mycotoxin present is 201.6, or higher risk, vs. 122.7 for 2023.”
Alltech’s REQ is a system that measures the cumulative risk of multiple mycotoxins in feed, making it easier to evaluate contamination. It combines mycotoxin levels into a single value, helping producers manage feed safety and quality.
- Weather and mycotoxin risk
The spike in contamination is largely attributed to significant rainfall across the upper Midwest, which created favourable conditions for the growth of Fusarium moulds. These moulds are responsible for producing various harmful mycotoxins, particularly type B trichothecenes, which pose the highest risk. - Key mycotoxins in 2024 corn silage
Type B trichothecenes: These mycotoxins have seen a sharp increase, with an average concentration of 1,863 parts per billion (ppb) and a staggering maximum level of 43,717 ppb. In comparison, 2023 averages were notably lower, at 1,014 ppb with a maximum of 29,853 ppb.
Zearalenone: Levels of zearalenone, known for its estrogenic effects in livestock, also rose significantly in 2024. The average concentration was 102 ppb, with a maximum of 2,134 ppb. In 2023, these values were much lower, at an average of 28 ppb and a maximum of 1,171 ppb.
Emerging mycotoxins: Samples to date have shown an average of 100 ppb with a peak level of 4,300 ppb, up from 73 ppb and 987 ppb in 2023.
With corn harvest progressing well, the number of samples arriving at the lab are increasing week on week. Early indications are similar to last year, with risk increasing as you move to the East, following the rainfall patterns. This risk is due primarily to Fusarium mycotoxins, type B trichothecenes, fumonisin and zearalenone. These toxins can have a significant impact on monogastric performance, reproduction and overall health. More details on the corn grain samples will follow in the main report in the coming weeks.
2024 CANADIAN HARVEST ANALYSIS
Recent mycotoxin testing in Canadian silages and grains, conducted as part of the Alltech 2024 Canadian Harvest Analysis, is revealing significant regional variability in contamination levels, with corn silage showing particularly high risks.
“Canada has experienced a change in weather patterns from last year, particularly of note the greater rainfall across the prairies,” pointed out Dr. Alexandra Weaver, Global Technical Support for Alltech. “As a result, there appears to be greater mycotoxin risk in the Western Canada 2024 harvest than last year. We’ve also noticed continued risk from deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in Eastern Canada, which can impact animal health and performance.”
Other early results from the Alltech 2024 Canadian Harvest Analysis include:
- Quebec:
90% of corn silage samples have tested positive for zearalenone (ZEA), with maximum levels reaching 1,369 ppb. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is found in 68% of samples, peaking at 6,782 ppb. T2-HT2 toxins are less common (25%) but still pose a risk. - Ontario:
Wheat samples show a 63% prevalence of DON and 45% for ZEA, with moderate risk levels on average. Corn samples have tested positive for DON with a maximum of over 4 ppm, with levels most problematic for swine, young and breeding animals. - Manitoba:
59% of barley samples contain DON, with maximum levels up to 3,700 ppb. Corn silage shows a 100% prevalence of ZEA, peaking at 1,118 ppb, and a 64% prevalence of DON, with a max of 3,200 ppb. - Saskatchewan:
88% of barley silage samples contain ZEA, and 30% have DON. T2-HT2 toxins also have a presence, at about 43% occurrence. All three mycotoxins average lower risk, but with potential for higher risk levels in some samples. - Alberta:
Barley silage shows lower risks, with ZEA detected in about 22% of samples. Corn silage shows a greater risk from ZEA, in 100% of tested samples and a maximum detection of over 700 ppb. Corn silage also shows a presence for DON and T2-HT2 toxins. - British Columbia:
Corn silage samples show a presence of multiple Fusarium mycotoxins, including DON, T2-HT2 toxins, ZEA, and emerging mycotoxins. On average, DON, T2-HT2 toxins and ZEA have been detected at lower-to-moderate risk for dairy cows. However, some silage samples have shown high risk levels of DON and T2-HT2 toxins.
Overall, early harvest testing suggests that corn silage may be a higher-risk commodity across Canada. Additionally, barley may have a greater prevalence of mycotoxins, and in higher concentrations, compared to wheat. Although it is too early to provide details on corn grain, producers are reminded that corn is commonly at risk of mycotoxin contamination. As such, animal and feed producers have a need for continued vigilance across grain and silage feed sources.
