Understanding the nuanced impact of mycotoxin contaminations on animal performance and health is paramount. To address this, Cargill analysed over 110 scientific articles to develop the Mycotoxin Impact Calculator (MIC). Compiling this extensive data, we formulated equations that predict performance losses by mycotoxin and poultry subspecies. The MIC, a science-based tool, assigns a precise figure to a previously vaguely defined problem, enabling informed decision-making and precise solutions to limit performance losses due to mycotoxins.
Global Technology Lead for Anti-Mycotoxins Agents
Cargill Animal Nutrition Businesses
Every poultry operation is different and has unique challenges and goals. Mycotoxin contamination and its impacts often go unseen. In the complex field of animal nutrition, addressing mycotoxin challenges requires precision and expertise. Cargill Animal Nutrition has refined a comprehensive and holistic approach to mycotoxin risk management, which supports profitability.
Committed to evidence-based mycotoxin risk management, Cargill runs over 350,000 analyses annually from 145,000+ raw material samples across 150+ global feed plants, farms, and ingredient storage locations. This rigorous testing allowed us to build the world’s largest and most comprehensive mycotoxin contamination database over the past eight years.
This extensive database is a powerful tool that enables us to accurately monitor mycotoxin distribution and contamination levels worldwide. This helps us to understand and address the unique challenges our customers face in different regions. In 2023, mycotoxin levels were noteworthy for all poultry segments: Fumonisin, Deoxynivalenol, and Zearalenone pose risk concerns (Table 1). For broilers 47%, 44%, and 34% of analysis respectively exceeded Cargill performance risk thresholds*. For breeders and layers, Zearalenone poses an even greater risk, with 42% of analyses exceeding our performance risk thresholds. Compared to 2022, we observed a decrease in T-2 toxin and Zearalenone contamination, while Deoxynivalenol levels have remained stable. However, the risk of Fumonisin has significantly increased. This highlights the substantial year-on-year variability in contamination levels, emphasizing the imperative need for a dynamic control plan. Cargill’s global mycotoxin analysis database serves as an indispensable tool in navigating this variability, enabling producers to implement effective control measures tailored to their specific challenges. Grains remain major contributors to mycotoxin contamination. Yet, plant protein sources like oilcakes frequently harbour noteworthy concentrations of Zearalenone.
In many cases despite the absence of visible symptoms, mycotoxins may significantly impact animal health and performance. Recognizing the imperative need for proactive measures, Cargill has developed tools and solutions to empower poultry producers in the battle against mycotoxins. Our in-house analyses and comprehensive mycotoxin database enable us to assess contamination levels, providing a critical foundation for informed decision-making. Understanding the nuanced impact of mycotoxin contaminations on animal performance and health is paramount. To address this, Cargill analysed over 110 scientific articles to develop the Mycotoxin Impact Calculator (MIC). Compiling this extensive data, we formulated equations that predict performance losses by mycotoxin and poultry subspecies. The MIC, a science-based tool, assigns a precise figure to a previously vaguely defined problem, enabling informed decision-making and precise solutions to limit performance losses due to mycotoxins. In a recent broiler trial, our MIC predicted a 9.5% performance loss when 20 mg/kg Deoxynivalenol contaminated the feed. The calculator predicted that the drop in performance would be reduced to just 4% when Notox™ Ultimate, a large spectrum anti-mycotoxin additive, was used. The trial confirmed these predictions, as broilers fed Deoxynivalenol-contaminated feed lost 8.8% performance, and the addition of Notox Ultimate supported a reduction in loss to 3.4% (Graphic 1). This translates to a 1:4 return on investment, showcasing the effectiveness and accuracy of our calculator along with Notox Ultimate in minimizing mycotoxin-induced performance losses.
In our ongoing commitment to advancing poultry nutrition, we recognize the pervasive threat posed by mycotoxins, and are dedicating our resources to better understand and address the threat. In a recent multi-contamination trial in broilers, we combined three mycotoxins identified as the most problematic ones based on our extensive analysis database – Deoxynivalenol and Fumonisin, both at 20mg/kg of feed; and Zearalenone at 2mg/kg. The results were unequivocal – these mycotoxins led to a 12.5% reduction in feed consumption and a 15% decrease in animal live weight at 35 days of age. To mitigate these adverse effects, we evaluated the effectiveness of Notox Ultimate at the recommended dose of 2.5kg/mT for high mycotoxin contamination. Remarkably, we observed that Notox Ultimate significantly countered the negative impact on feed consumption and animal live weight. Delving deeper into the study, we explored additional parameters, revealing that mycotoxins increased the relative weight of the liver. However, the inclusion of Notox Ultimate successfully reduced it. Furthermore, mycotoxins adversely affected the villus height/crypt depth ratio, a critical indicator of intestinal health. Once again, Notox Ultimate intervened, partially restoring this ratio and showcasing its potential for preserving vital organs such as the liver and intestine.
In another recent in-vivo test in broilers we studied the impact of mycotoxins on the intestinal microbiota. The findings were clear: mycotoxins disrupted the normal maturation of the intestinal microbiota, promoted the development of pathogenic bacteria, and harmed beneficial bacteria, negatively impacting performance and immune function. However, Notox Ultimate not only supported improved performance, but also showed beneficial effects on the intestinal microbiota of chickens fed mycotoxin-contaminated feed. All our trials highlight not only the deleterious effects of mycotoxins on poultry but also the remarkable benefits of Notox Ultimate in safeguarding poultry health and performance. As we continue to pioneer advancements in mycotoxin management, our commitment remains unwavering – to provide poultry producers with cutting-edge solutions that truly make a difference.
Cargill excels in providing customers scientifically proven tools for high-performance support. The world-leading mycotoxin analysis database, Mycotoxin Impact Calculator, and anti-mycotoxin additives form a robust arsenal. Cargill Animal Nutrition stands ready to guide clients in implementing precise and timely mycotoxin risk management plans, ensuring sustained health and financial performance in poultry operations worldwide.
*Cargill’s performance risk thresholds are based upon extensive in vivo research and equations that model performance loss determined by mycotoxin levels found in feed ingredients. Low ≈ 0.5% performance loss; Medium ≈ 1% performance loss; and High ≈ 2% performance loss. They may be lower than safety and regulatory thresholds set by government bodies. Local laws and regulations related to mycotoxins thresholds and binders vary, for example, mycotoxin binders are not available in the United States.
About Thomas Pecqueur
As the Technology Lead Additives (Anti-Mycotoxins Agents) within Cargill Animal Nutrition (CAN), Thomas Pecqueur is responsible of the continuous improvement of the existing products and of the research and development of new solutions related to the Anti-Mycotoxins Agents portfolio. As an expert on mycotoxins, Pecqueur is also responsible for the technical training of Cargill employees in order to better promote range of additives and efficiently serve the company’s customers.
Thomas Pecqueur has a Master of Science in Agronomy and he joined Provimi/Cargill in 2009 as a multi-species nutritionist and formulator in CAN France business. He was responsible for creating and optimizing feed formulation of premixes and minerals. To acquire a new perspective of the feed business, Pecqueur move to Canada where he joined the ruminant technical team of CAN Canada. He became the leader of the internal ruminant ration balancing software and contributed to the development and improvements of products. Pecqueur also provided support for the ruminant sales team with continuous training, troubleshooting of on-farm challenges, creation of tools for on farm support and scientific and technical monitoring.
