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.
Technology Lead Additives
Cargill Animal Nutrition
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 grass and maize silage, which are staple components of dairy cow diets. These molds could theoretically be identified by their coloration as Fusarium typically appears as white to red/pinkish, Penicillium as blue-green, and Aspergillus as olive green to yellow. However, relying solely on visual identification is risky, as the majority of molds start as white and develop color only as they age. Moreover, not all molds produce mycotoxins. So, the visible presence of mold does not mean the presence of mycotoxin, and conversely, the absence of visible mold does not guarantee the absence of mycotoxins, making it even more challenging to assess the risk based on appearance alone.
This is where scientific analysis becomes indispensable. At Cargill, we have developed a comprehensive mycotoxin analysis database to help farmers, nutritionists, and veterinarians better understand the risks posed by mycotoxins. Over the past 12 months, we have conducted approximately 400,000 mycotoxin analyses worldwide. Our database reveals that, during this period, 69% of the analyses were positive for at least one mycotoxin, with 35% showing levels above the risk thresholds for animal performance. Overall, the most prevalent mycotoxins identified include deoxynivalenol, fumonisin, zearalenone, and T-2 toxin with respectively 58%, 43%, 41%, and 22% of the analyses showing levels sufficient to impact performance.
Our analyses also revealed that corn and cereals were particularly affected by deoxynivalenol with 61% and 57% of analyses respectively above the performance risk thresholds. Fumonisin seems to mainly infest corn with 50% of analyses above the performance risk thresholds. Finally, zearalenone is present in all grains with 45% of corn analyses and 26% of cereal analyses showing levels above the risk thresholds. Oilseeds, and in particular soybeans, are important sources of zearalenone since 45% of analyses showed levels sufficient to impact performance. Finally, forages are not left out since the analyses showed significant contamination of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisin in 70%, 44%, and 34% of the analyses, respectively. These findings highlight the pervasive nature of mycotoxin contamination and underscore the need for vigilant monitoring and management.
Cargill’s extensive database and expertise place us in a unique position to support dairy producers in understanding and mitigating the risks associated with mycotoxins. By understanding the specific mycotoxins present in the diet, farmers can take proactive steps to mitigate the risks and protect their herds. Cargill’s database is not only a tool for identifying contamination but also a foundation for creating tailored mycotoxin management strategies that are both effective and cost-efficient.
UNDERSTANDING THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MYCOTOXINS IN DAIRY COWS: A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH
The rumen’s complex ecosystem allows ruminants to tolerate higher levels of mycotoxins than monogastric animals, but this tolerance has limits. The rumen, while capable of detoxifying some mycotoxins, cannot fully neutralize all of them. In fact, it can sometimes convert them into more toxic compounds. In addition, the increasing demand for higher milk production has placed additional stress on dairy cows. Their diet has become more fermentable, which reduces rumen retention time, increases the risk of acidosis, alters the rumen microbial population, and ultimately limits the rumen’s ability to effectively detoxify mycotoxins.
Mycotoxin exposure in dairy cows can lead to a range of metabolic and immune issues. While acute toxicity from high mycotoxin levels is rare, chronic exposure to low levels is more common and often more damaging. The symptoms of mycotoxins are often non-specific and can be mistaken for other issues, making the diagnosis challenging. These symptoms are usually subclinical, meaning they do not manifest in obvious signs but instead result in gradual performance declines, such as subtle but significant decreases in milk yield, impaired reproduction, and increased susceptibility to diseases. Over time, these subclinical effects can accumulate, resulting in substantial economic losses for the farm.
One of the primary effects of mycotoxins is immune suppression. Mycotoxins can impair the function of immune cells, reducing the cow’s ability to fight off infections. This can lead to an increase in somatic cell counts and a higher risk of mastitis or respiratory infections. Additionally, mycotoxins can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, including inflammation of the gut lining, which impairs nutrient absorption. This can result in weight loss, poor body condition, and a decline in overall herd health. Mycotoxins can also cause damage to specific organs, particularly the liver and kidneys. The liver, being the primary site of detoxification, is often the most affected organ. Mycotoxins, like aflatoxin B1, are known to cause liver necrosis, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis in severe cases. The kidneys, which are responsible for excreting toxins from the body, can also suffer damage, leading to renal dysfunction and compromised metabolic waste excretion. These organ-specific effects contribute to a cascade of health issues that diminish the overall productivity of dairy cows. Reproductive issues are another significant concern. Mycotoxins such as zearalenone, which mimic estrogenic activity, can interfere with the reproductive hormones of dairy cows, leading to irregular estrous cycles, reduced conception rates, and higher incidences of early embryonic loss. This not only affects the reproductive efficiency of the herd but also has long-term implications for herd replacement and milk production. Additionally, mycotoxins like aflatoxins can be transferred from contaminated feed into milk, raising food safety concerns and potentially leading to regulatory issues and financial penalties for producers. The presence of aflatoxin M1 in milk, even at low levels, can result in the rejection of milk shipments, causing substantial economic losses.
Given the complex and often hidden nature of mycotoxin-related issues, it is essential to quantify their impact on dairy cow performance. To this end, Cargill has developed a performance loss calculator based on an exhaustive review of scientific literature. This calculator estimates the percentage of performance loss attributable to specific mycotoxins in different ruminant species. By enabling farmers to input their data such as milk yield and feed contamination levels, this tool allows farmers to understand the economic impact of mycotoxins on their herd and empowers them to make informed decisions about mycotoxin management and prevention strategies. For example, using our extensive analysis database and considering standard feeding practices, we were able to assess the average mycotoxins contamination for a total mixed ration in a dairy cow’s herd. Our performance loss calculator estimated that this contamination could lead to a 1.5% to 2% reduction in milk production. While this may seem minor, for a farm with 200 cows each producing 8,500 liters of milk per lactation, this translates to an annual financial loss higher than $15,000.
Our performance loss calculator, combined with our extensive mycotoxin analysis database, provides dairy producers with the information they need to make informed decisions about mycotoxin management. By understanding the potential impact of mycotoxins on herd performance, producers can take proactive steps to mitigate these risks and protect their profitability.
COMBATTING MYCOTOXINS: FROM FIELD TO FEED
Managing mycotoxins in dairy production requires a comprehensive approach that addresses contamination at multiple points along the feed and production chain. The first step begins in the field, where careful agricultural practices can reduce the risk of fungal infection. Crop rotation is an effective strategy, as it disrupts the life cycle of mycotoxin-producing fungi. Selecting crop varieties that are resistant to fungal infections is another important preventive measure. Advances in plant breeding have led to the development of crop varieties with enhanced resistance to mycotoxin-producing fungi. Additionally, proper use of fungicides during critical growth stages, such as flowering and grain filling, can help protect crops from fungal infections. However, fungicide use should be carefully managed to avoid the development of resistant fungal strains and to minimize environmental impact. Timely harvesting is also crucial, as delayed harvests increase the risk of fungal infection and mycotoxin accumulation. During harvest, it’s also important to avoid damaging the crops, as physical damage can create entry points for fungal infection. During storage, it is essential to control factors such as moisture, temperature, and air flow to prevent mold growth and mycotoxin production. Ensiling techniques that promote anaerobic conditions and rapid pH drop can also help minimize mold activity in silages. In addition, using storage additives, such as organic acids or preservatives, can help inhibit fungal growth and mycotoxin production during storage. However, the use of these additives does not destroy the mycotoxins already present in the raw materials.
Despite the best efforts in the field and during storage and feed manufacturing, mycotoxins can still find their way into dairy cow diets. Therefore, the final line of defense against mycotoxins lies in the diet itself. First, it is critical to implement a proactive testing program on ingredients to quantify mycotoxin contamination and help find the best solution to minimize mycotoxin performance risks. Depending on the variety and the concentration of mycotoxins, incorporating an anti-mycotoxin agent (AMA) appropriate to the contamination is a relevant approach to mitigate their impacts. However, not all anti-mycotoxin agents are equal, and it is crucial to implement a strict development process to design products that will effectively meet each need. Indeed, in the battle against mycotoxins, a deep understanding of their physicochemical properties and animal physiology is crucial to developing effective solutions. At Cargill, we’ve harnessed this expertise to create our range of anti-mycotoxin agents, each tailored to target specific mycotoxins with precision*. Our product development process begins with the rigorous selection of technologies, including advanced binding agents and innovations that enhance intestinal health, organs protection, and immunity. We conducted extensive in-vitro binding tests under stringent conditions, ensuring that only the most effective agents were selected for further testing. These tests allowed us to identify technologies with both high affinity and significant maximum adsorption capacity for targeted mycotoxins, while ensuring that the nutrients in the ration are not bound. But our commitment to efficacy doesn’t stop there. We complement our binding technologies with additional strategies which support animals’ intestinal health, immunity, and defense against oxidative stress. Every product in the CargillTM range of anti-mycotoxins agents has undergone rigorous in-vivo testing to confirm its effectiveness in real-world conditions. This meticulous process ensures that our solutions not only meet but exceed the demands of our customers, providing reliable protection against mycotoxins in animal feed.
Mycotoxins present a challenge to dairy cow productivity. While they are often invisible and their effects subclinical, the impact of mycotoxins on milk production, reproduction, and overall immunocompetence can be substantial. Effective mycotoxin management requires a comprehensive approach, from prevention in the field to mitigation in the diet. Cargill is uniquely positioned to support dairy producers in this effort, with our extensive mycotoxin analysis database, raw material and diet analysis services, performance loss calculator, animal health and nutrition experts, and innovative anti-mycotoxin agents. Investing in proven mycotoxin mitigation strategies is not just about safeguarding your herd; it’s about securing the future of your dairy business.
This article only provides scientific information and should not be construed as marketing claims or guidance. All technical statements are based on scientific literature; references are available upon request.
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 moved 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.
