ARTICLE 90 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2024 Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, can be a silent threat to dairy cows, impacting their immunocompetence and productivity. Understanding these toxins and implementing effective strategies is essential for maintaining herd performance and ensuring the sustainability of dairy operations. Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by specific species of fungi, are a pervasive and often invisible threat on dairy farms. They can be found in crops both during the growing season and in storage and pose a risk to animal immunity and productivity. In recent years, the challenge of mycotoxins has grown more pressing, as climate change and global trade have increased the prevalence and distribution of these harmful substances. For dairy cows, the presence of these toxins can lead to reductions in milk production, reproductive issues, and weakened physiological and immune status. Therefore, understanding the presence of mycotoxins in dairy cow diets, their impact on animal health and performance, and the most effective strategies to combat these toxins is critical for maintaining the productivity and wellbeing of dairy herds. MYCOTOXINS IN DAIRY COW DIETS: A PERSISTENT THREAT The presence of mycotoxins in dairy cow farms often goes undetected until it is too late. The molds responsible for producing mycotoxins, such as Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Fusarium, can be found in THE SILENT SABOTEURS: IDENTIFYING AND COMBATING MYCOTOXINS IN DAIRY PRODUCTION Thomas Pecqueur Technology Lead Additives Cargill Animal Nutrition Total Analyses % Contaminated Above Detection Limit % Contaminated Analyses Above Perf. Risk Threshold Mycotoxin Aflatoxin (Total) Fumonisin Ochratoxin T2 Toxin (Total) Vomitoxin Zearalenone Total 123,623 54,534 17,059 21,826 123,891 59,663 400,596 62% 74% 57% 45% 78% 73% 69% 12% 43% 2% 22% 58% 41% 35%
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