ISSUE FOCUS 28 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2024 feed with aflatoxin was reported to lower antibody titers of inflammatory bowel disease, infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease in immunised birds. Aflatoxin and T-2 toxin have been reported to affect Marek’s vaccine programmes. Aflatoxins can also decrease iron absorption and interact with nutrients like riboflavin and vitamin D. Some researchers have suggested that aflatoxin contamination might also impair nutrient digestion in the small intestine and decrease the bird’s ability to protect itself from stressors. Fumonisins have been linked to black adhesive diarrhoea in layers and mucous diarrhoea in other poultry species. In general, these mycotoxins can suppress the immune system, which increases the risk of secondary diseases – bacterial or viral – and impacts performance parameters. IMPACT ON CHICK QUALITY With mycotoxins reducing fertility, egg quality and immunity in the broiler-breeder, it is hardly a surprise that there will be negative consequences for the progeny of these birds. Poor hatchability and increased embryonic mortality are seen at the hatchery. Breeders exposed to feed-borne mycotoxins show a higher incidence of weak and immunosuppressed chicks. Breeders exposed to aflatoxins and ochratoxins are reported to have chicks with decreased cellular and humoural responses. MANAGING THE MYCOTOXIN CHALLENGE In broiler-breeder operations, profitability greatly depends on the quality of the egg and on fertility and hatchability. Mycotoxins have been found to be toxigenic to egg production and quality, reducing profitability. Understanding the contamination profile of the feed and ingredients used is key to managing the risk from mycotoxins. A regular and comprehensive testing programme that identifies a broad range of mycotoxins is one of the most important first steps in the implementation of a successful mycotoxin control programme in a poultry business. From advanced detection to in-feed nutritional solutions, Alltech has a suite of tools to assist poultry producers in managing the mycotoxin challenge. About Paula McCooey Paula McCooey received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture science from University College Dublin (UCD) in 2014. She then spent three years in England working for a large broiler integration learning about the business from the hatchery to the processing plant before becoming a broiler field advisor. She continued to work for the integrator in Northern Ireland as a farm compliance manager before moving to a large integrator in ROI in 2019. Here, she was responsible for driving performance and ensuring compliance on 75 broiler farms. McCooey, who joined the Alltech Ireland team as poultry manager in 2021, is responsible for managing the poultry accounts across the island of Ireland. She works closely with customers at all levels to advise, problem solve and provide solutions based on customer needs. Risk range Ingredient Average mycotoxins per sample Average mycotoxins per sample Corn Soybeans Wheat Distillers dried grains 65% of samples in moderate-highrisk range 86.2% of samples in low-risk range 89.3% of samples in low-risk range 96.9% of samples in high-risk range 7.7 4.3 3.5 13.1 18 15 18 16 Table 1. Data from the Alltech 37+ mycotoxin testing laboratory shows that low-risk does not mean no risk.
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