Proactive measures to mitigate mycotoxin impact on herd health

An ever-increasing issue that we are coming up against year on year is mycotoxin contamination in feeds and forages.

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring substances produced when mould comes under stress. The risk varies with weather, harvesting date, management and storage conditions, and increasingly, we are seeing feedstuffs containing multiple mycotoxins, which can interact to cause additional problems. As ruminant diets typically contain both concentrates and forages, this also increases the risk of exposure to multiple mycotoxins.

Any crop or forage can harbour mycotoxins, but mycotoxins in forages (grass, hays, silages) present the greatest threat to cattle. Ensiled forages are more likely than dry forages to harbour moulds and associated mycotoxins — especially when fermentations and anaerobic conditions are not strictly controlled. 

Testing of UK-grown forages over the past few months, as part of the Alltech 2024 European Harvest Analysis, has revealed a moderate to high mycotoxin risk across all regions.

The dangers of mycotoxins for herd health

Mycotoxins are invisible, tasteless and odourless, making them difficult to detect. While we often associate them with mouldy or discoloured feedstuffs, contamination can still occur in feed that appears clean, posing hidden risks to ruminant health.

Performing daily checks on the herd can highlight warning signs of potential mycotoxin exposure: 

1. Reduced feed intake

2. Loose and/or inconsistent dung

3. Swollen hind legs and separation cracks in the hooves 

4. Lethargy 

5. A sudden drop in milk yield

6. Increased somatic cell counts

7. Reduced fertility

Of the 500 mycotoxins currently identified, DON, zearalenone, aflatoxins and storage mycotoxins (e.g., Penicillium toxins) typically pose the greatest risk to ruminant animals, causing issues such as:

• Compromised gut integrity and rumen function, which may interfere with nutrient absorption from feed.

• Suppression of the immune system, which can lead to multiple issues such as swollen hocks, lameness, rough coats, and also cell count problems, from a raised SCC to increased cases of mastitis, including E. coli mastitis.

• Fertility problems, including irregular heats, cysts, lower conception rates, and higher abortion rates. 

• Liver and/or kidney damage that may cause internal haemorrhaging and muscle tremors.

However, some mycotoxin damage may happen without visible symptoms, or the damage may already be done before the symptoms appear. Therefore, prevention and proactive management to mitigate damage are pivotal.

Prevention and proactive management are key

Mycotoxins are increasingly prevalent, but good planning and management can go a long way to preventing problems. The best safeguard is establishing a regular testing programme of your feedstuffs.

Alltech 37+^® lab-based mycotoxin analysis, for example, can test for 54 different mycotoxins in individual forages, total mixed rations (TMRs) and concentrates. For a more real-time picture as the season goes on, the Alltech^® RAPIREAD™ portable test device can test for 6 of the most commonly occurring mycotoxins. With these insights, farmers can make informed decisions on cost-effective mycotoxin mitigation strategies.

Incorporating a yeast-based non-clay mycotoxin binder in the feed is also very helpful as a preventative measure to avoid issues showing up on-farm. Mycosorb A+^® is one example — a broad-spectrum binder, tackling mycotoxins as a whole threat rather than dealing with them individually.

Mycosorb A+ meets all the criteria necessary when considering adding a mycotoxin binder to your feed: 

• Proven by independent research to address the multi-mycotoxin challenge 

• Binds Penicillium toxins

• Does not bind to other essential nutrients and vitamins

• Effective at a low inclusion rate

• Stable over a broad pH range (essential for ensuring the mycotoxin stays attached to the binder throughout the gut and is then excreted)

• Fast-acting, starts to work within 10 minutes

Next steps

If you suspect a mycotoxin issue on-farm — or if you simply want to seek advice on prevention — reach out to a trusted advisor and start making a mitigation plan that fits your operation’s needs. 

Contact us: 

• Ruminant sales team or InTouch feeding specialists

• Generic enquiries: call 01780 764512 or email ukenquiries@alltech.com