mycotoxins Archives

Toxin management For dairy cows: Is it really that important?

Endotoxin stress – How to minimize the risk for your animals

12 April 2023

The impact of endotoxins on the health status of our livestock as well as humans is a red-hot topic of these days. But how...

How to go further to limit mycotoxins adverse effects on animals?

11 April 2023

Feed contamination by mycotoxins remains a big issue and the use of “in the feed” solutions to limit their adverse effects on animals is...

Can mycotoxins force an upper limit of corn usage in animal feeds?

11 April 2023

Corn is the major raw material used in animal feeds. In pigs and poultry, corn represents up to 60% of the diet while in...

Agrimprove announces its knowledge site AllAboutToxins.com

28 February 2023

Agrimprove, a leading feed ingredients brand, launched knowledge site AllAboutToxins.com to promote animal health and performance. Agrimprove, the functional feed ingredient division of Royal Agrifirm...

Redesigning feed formulation during price hikes:What can nutritionists do?

13 February 2023

Nutritionists have several options to optimize animal performance in the context of price increases. However, it is necessary to have a more holistic view...

Alltech has explained results of the 2022 European Harvest Analysis. The results of the analysis indicate high levels of mycotoxins in grains across Europe. Alltech, one of the leading companies in the animal nutrition industry, announced the results of the 2022 European Harvest Analysis. The analysis reveals that grains in Europe contain high levels of mycotoxins due to drought. According to the company statement, similar to 2021, widespread drought throughout Europe during the 2022 growing season has directly impacted the presence of moulds and mycotoxins in new crop grains and forages. The Alltech 2022 European Harvest Analysis uncovers the true threat mycotoxins pose to animals and producers. To determine the most accurate representation of mycotoxin risk across Europe, Alltech has again collaborated with SGS, a global leader in mycotoxin testing and certification. Data for this programme has been collected for key feed ingredients on a regional level, and analysis indicates moderate to high levels of mycotoxin risk. The results of the 2022 analysis are based on over 1,000 samples of the most common grains and forages produced and used in the European livestock industry. Samples have been collected from farms or animal feed production sites in 20 different countries, offering a representative picture of the contamination risk in all regions, with an overall moderate to high risk. ''Generally, the current results look very similar to the analysis we performed in 2021, with the aflatoxin issue in Central and Southeastern Europe dominating the headlines and creating the greatest challenge for feed and livestock producers to manage,” said Dr. Radka Borutova, European technical support manager with the Alltech Mycotoxin Management team. “Although this analysis gives a robust assessment of the mycotoxin risk in Europe this year until you actually test the ingredients that you are using in your business, it can be difficult to implement an effective control plan.’’ KEY RESULTS FROM THE ALLTECH 2022 EUROPEAN HARVEST ANALYSIS INCLUDE: • 100% of samples contained mycotoxins, with 79% containing 2 or more • On average, each sample contained 4.5 mycotoxins • Aflatoxins, type B trichothecenes, fumonisins and emerging mycotoxins are the most dominant groups detected • 67 corn samples exceeded aflatoxin regulatory limits for feed usage (>20 ppb) The aflatoxin challenge in corn For the second year running, aflatoxin contamination of corn in Central and Southeastern Europe is a dominant issue for feed and livestock producers to consider as they begin to purchase and use ingredients during the coming feeding season. Aflatoxin is a warm-weather toxin, and the widespread extreme heat conditions during the main growing season are likely to have contributed to the levels appearing in corn samples. Wheat and barley Mycotoxin levels in wheat and barley are less than those contained in corn. While the average number of mycotoxins detected in many corn samples is above 5, in small grains, it is typically closer to 3 This variance is reflected in the risk equivalent quantity (REQ) and the risk of feeding these ingredients to specific species and animal groups. For instance, in sows and gilts, this year’s corn samples represent moderate to higher risk of mycotoxins, but when small grains are fed to the same animals, the mycotoxin risk is deemed to be lower. Straw Although widely used in ruminant diets and swine bedding, contamination of straw with mycotoxins is often overlooked. However, as testing in Denmark continues to reveal, straw samples primarily contain higher levels of mycotoxins. DON is the leading mycotoxin of concern and is likely resulting from a combination of pre- and post-harvest contamination. The problem can be exacerbated when straw is left in the field for a prolonged period, exposed to rain and dampness. Forages In all regions of Europe, grass and corn silage samples contained levels of mycotoxins that would be deemed higher risk for use in dairy production. The presence of elevated levels of Penicillium toxins are seen as the main contributor to this risk. Risk to specific animal groups • Pig producers should be aware that the corn risk level based on the average REQ for breeding sows and young piglets is deemed to be moderate to high, while the risk coming from small grains (wheat and barley) is low, with certain pockets of moderate to high risk. • When the mycotoxin corn contamination levels are applied to poultry, the mycotoxin risk for breeding birds, broilers and layers is moderate, while the risk coming from small grains (wheat and barley) is low. • In ruminants, the results from the corn and forage samples analysed so far indicate a moderate to high risk in dairy cows.

Alltech European Harvest Analysis points high levels of mycotoxins

8 December 2022

Alltech has explained results of the 2022 European Harvest Analysis. The results of the analysis indicate high levels of mycotoxins in grains across Europe. 20...

Research insight into mycotoxin mitigation in dairy cows

28 November 2022

Prof. Antonio Gallo from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Dr. Swamy Haladi from Selko, shared how dairy cows are exposed to higher number...

Layn Natural Ingredients launches natural feed additive TruGro® MYC

3 November 2022

Layn Natural Ingredients announced that it has launched TruGro® MYC, natural animal feed additive designed to help reduce the pathogenic effects of mycotoxins. Layn Natural...

Selko webinar to explore managing mycotoxin risk in dairy cows

13 October 2022

October 27, 2022
Webinar - Two times: 9 am & 4 pm CEST

AB Vista partners with Volac for Mycocheck, new mycotoxin service

28 September 2022

AB Vista and Volac partnered to offer dairy farmers Mycocheck, a comprehensive service designed specifically for the analysis of mycotoxins in animal feed and...

Tag: mycotoxins