The presence of mycotoxins in your pig herd’s feed regimen may result in unintended consequences. These toxic substances, produced by the fungi in feedstuffs, not only have the power to negatively influence growth and performance but can also suppress long-term reproductive performance. These symptoms are not the only issues that producers may see manifest in their animals as a result of a mycotoxin problem; feed refusals, swollen vulvas in gilts and sows, and the reduced effectiveness of treatments and vaccines can also become a threat to any operation.

The Alltech 2022 U.S. Harvest Analysis is an extensive analysis of the mycotoxin risk across the country, as assessed by Alltech’s in-house mycotoxin expert, Dr. Max Hawkins. This report utilizes samples collected from throughout the country that have been analyzed through Alltech’s trusted 37+® mycotoxin analysis.

Outlined below are the key takeaways from the 2022 U.S. Harvest Analysis, as well as several proactive tips that can help pig producers mitigate their mycotoxin risk.

Here are five insights into the mycotoxin risk for the 2022 corn crop:

1. Responses to changing weather conditions

The 2022 growing season brought with it a 180-degree difference in the challenges producers faced in various regions. Drought conditions in the midwestern United States had a significant impact on corn health and yield across the western corn belt. More severe drought conditions were detected by the drought monitor in the West, and these conditions extended eastward into Illinois, Indiana and part of Ohio. Rains in late July and August eased the drought conditions east of the Mississippi River, but this rainfall — on top of already-drought-stressed corn — spurred the growth of Fusarium molds, producing a variety of type-B trichothecenes, fumonisin and zearalenone.

2. Average mycotoxin samples found

• 119 samples had an average of 6.7 mycotoxins per sample
• 98% of the samples contained two or more mycotoxins
• All samples contained between one and 12 mycotoxins each

Fusarium-produced mycotoxins were the most frequently occurring due to their preference for moist environments and moderate temperatures. The mycotoxins found most commonly in the samples included:

• Emerging mycotoxins (97.48%)
• Fusaric acid (83%)
• Type-B trichothecenes (68%)
• Fumonisin (65%)
• Zearalenone (35%)

3. Areas of greatest risk

The mycotoxins produced by molds that represented the greatest risk were type-B trichothecenes, also known as the DON family, and zearalenone. Type-B trichothecenes can negatively impact feed intake, digestion, average daily gains, feed efficiency, gut wall integrity, liver function and immune system responses. Zearalenone can act synergistically with DON to magnify the risks for reproduction, the number of pigs born, the return to estrus and conception rates. Even when the presence of these mycotoxins is lowered by the corn inclusion rate, they still represent a high risk in the finished feed.

4. Geographical location and storage differences

When it comes to Fusarium mycotoxins, the risk level tends to increase as we move from West to East. However, one factor that could increase the risk in the West is storage. Corn needs to be dried to a moisture level of 14% or less to be safely stored for extended periods of time. Across the Midwest, winter weather led to periods of cold temperatures, but in general, temperatures were above what is generally considered normal. These warmer temperatures — along with grain that was inadequately dried or left exposed to moisture — increase the likelihood of mold production and, as a result, mycotoxin growth.

5. Impact on the swine industry

The 2022 corn crop does have ranging levels of risk depending on the location of the pigs and production settings nationwide. Differing storage types could provide an environment in which the risk at harvest could increase over time. This necessitates the need for the corn to be analyzed to determine its mycotoxin levels and risk as we move through the winter and spring of 2023.

Proactive tips to help pig producers mitigate their mycotoxin risk

Make sure your feed mill is checked often.

When it comes to mycotoxins in pig feed, conducting proper testing allows for any potential risks to be managed. Dr. Hawkins shared that utilizing a mycotoxin testing program that is based on an instrument — such as HPLC MS/MS — will provide you with the most accurate and comprehensive analysis available.

Furthermore, starting the analysis of your raw materials as close to harvest as possible will ensure that you have enough time to develop an all-encompassing risk management and mitigation plan. If this analysis is properly scheduled, then your operation will have a good understanding of the risk posed by the feedstuffs being provided to your pigs prior to the animals actually receiving it.

“After utilizing comprehensive testing at harvest, you may then set up a quick analysis that can be used at your farm or mill,” said Dr. Hawkins in the U.S. Harvest Analysis webinar. “We would also suggest that you do more testing at various times throughout the year to ensure that your quick-test protocol for your grain or pig feed is still a solid plan for the production system.”

Keep feed bins dry.

Make sure your feed bins are closed and that there are no potential points of entry where moisture could get into the feedstuffs at the top of the silos.

In the summer months, feed tanks or feed bins can get very hot and are prone to sweating. Ensure that feed gets moving through the tanks or bins quickly. If there is feed leftover, transfer it to another barn.

Pay attention to feed intake.

Pigs are especially sensitive to DON; it’s like they can sense or smell it. Therefore, they tend not to eat contaminated feed. Abstaining from eating can be a classic sign that mycotoxins are present.

Instituting a proper mycotoxin management strategy will help reduce the risk of low performance in your herd. With a plan in place for mitigating mycotoxins on your operation, the chances that your pig herd will perform well in 2023 increase exponentially. 

Nestled on the banks of the Clyde River, overlooking Vermont’s widely reputed lush, forested hills sits Poulin Grain. Proud to call Vermont home since 1932, this fourth-generation family-owned business offers personalized service — including one-on-one animal nutrition consultations, lab-based forage analysis and customized recommendations — along with the manufacturing and delivery of premium animal feeds. Poulin Grain’s diverse customer base includes livestock producers and animal enthusiasts throughout the eastern U.S. and Canada.

As noted by company president Josh Poulin, the nearly 90-year-old business “[has] always been committed to delivering high-quality animal nutrition products at a fair value, and taking care of [its] people, animals and customers.”  

Based in Newport, Vermont, Poulin Grain serves a wide range of customers throughout the eastern U.S. and Canada, including many dairy producers.

Managing mycotoxins in feed and forage

Poulin Grain maintains a steadfast focus on serving the animal and meeting their requirements, which is why they are consistently exploring new technologies that can help them implement superior quality control and produce animal feeds of only the highest caliber.

The company’s northeastern U.S. location — a region often referred to as “mycotoxin central” — led to them initially building a relationship with Alltech. The two companies worked together to implement a mycotoxin control program at Poulin’s mills while also helping their nutrition teams and customers understand more about this dynamic problem on-farm, which includes a central focus on enhancing forage quality.

Why mycotoxin testing is necessary

A 2021 study from Weaver et al. highlighted the prevalence of these toxic compounds in U.S. corn grain and corn silage by analyzing the results of almost 2,000 grain and forage samples across seven years. Findings showed that the mean numbers of mycotoxins per sample were 4.8 and 5.2 in grain and silage, respectively.

These findings are often replicated in the ongoing testing carried out by Alltech’s 37+^® mycotoxin analysis laboratory network. For example, in 2021, over 7,000 tests revealed that an astounding 95% of samples contained two or more mycotoxins.

In recent years, several factors have combined to exacerbate the mycotoxin risk in animal diets worldwide. More extreme weather patterns, such as droughts and floods, are creating extra stress on crops, which is one of the primary predisposing factors for mold and mycotoxin development. Additionally, the shift to no-till crop establishment and reduced crop rotation is leading to a greater buildup of crop residues, which only serves to increase the mycotoxin risk in subsequent crops.

How mycotoxins impact animals

Mycotoxins can be the root cause of numerous problems on-farm. However, some of the more common mycotoxin symptoms include:

• Digestive disorders, such as diarrhea.
• Reproductive challenges, such as decreased fertility and abnormal estrous cycles.
• Reduced animal performance, often linked to reduced feed consumption and nutrient utilization.
• Compromised health, related to suppressed immunity and increased disease risk.

As demonstrated by the routine mycotoxin analysis mentioned above, the presence of multiple mycotoxins in grains and forages tends to be the norm rather than the exception. This may lead to additional or synergistic effects, further compounding the mycotoxin problem for livestock producers.

Taking a proactive approach to mycotoxin management

Although mycotoxins are often chemically stable enough to survive food and feed processing — meaning it is virtually impossible to eliminate them from the supply chain — there are some key steps that can be taken to enhance control efforts.

John Winchell serves as Alltech’s Northeast U.S. territory sales manager, where he has worked with Poulin Grain for nearly two years. When working through mycotoxin challenges, John has always believed it’s best to take a more proactive approach.

“When you think of mycotoxin management, I think it’s much more than just a product — it’s a program; [one that involves] looking at pre-harvest and post-harvest strategies, and [considering] different things, such as climate, population, and varieties,” John explains. “[This paints] a total picture as opposed to [taking a] reactive [approach].”

Aided by Winchell’s support throughout the crop-growing season, Poulin Grain and their dairy nutrition customers have implemented steps to help enhance forage quality and produce superior quality dairy feeds.

For example, to manage grain and forage quality post-harvest, John introduced Poulin Grain to both the Alltech 37+ mycotoxin analysis and Alltech RAPIREAD^®.

Alltech 37+ is a lab-based mycotoxin detection method that can identify up to 54 individual mycotoxins, including those in total mixed rations (TMRs).

Alltech RAPIREAD utilizes a portable testing module to quickly detect six key mycotoxins. It is typically used directly on-farm or in the feed mill due to its ability to deliver quick results, often in less than 15 minutes.

“Working with [Alltech] 37+ to look at the different samples on different commodities and forages has really helped us get closer to where we need to be on forage quality and cow health,” states Winchell, while also highlighting how Poulin Grain were early adopters of Alltech RAPIREAD, thereby allowing mycotoxin control decisions to be activated on the same day that a challenge is identified.

Optimizing dairy forage quality is a key focus area for both Poulin Grain and Alltech.

Maximizing livestock productivity

Poulin Grain is no stranger to adaption and innovation, as noted by general manager and senior vice president Mike Tetreault, “One of the key things for Poulin Grain to continue to be leaders in animal nutrition is we must be innovative. And part of being innovative for us is having the right products, services and technologies [in place].” That is where John Winchell and Alltech come in.

According to Tetreault, “[Winchell] has been a tremendous asset for us — he’s been really committed [to serving] all our customers and covering every area. He’s been a true source of support, education and growth for all our customers and [our] company. I don’t know what we’d do without this Alltech service.”

From starting with a simple introductory webinar to today implementing the latest in mycotoxin detection, Mike feels the Poulin team has now become experts in managing mycotoxins and is far more able to make informed decisions.

What lies ahead

As Poulin Grain’s business continues to grow and develop the ways in which it serves its diverse customer base, Tetreault is excited about what lies ahead.

“When we find problems that really need further investigation, Alltech’s 37+ [program] has been there to support us dramatically for the last year,” he says. “We’ve had several situations where we’ve been able to help and correct management [on-farm]. It’s really been a great run, and I know that going forward, utilizing these Alltech services, products and technologies will [continue to] truly be an asset for Poulin Grain.”

In the dairy industry, successfully implementing solutions that “kill two birds with one stone” requires innovation and usable data. Finding ways to reduce the carbon footprint on dairy cattle operations while also maintaining high milk production is just that kind of situation.

It is important to understand that dairy production is on a continuous path of growth. Some insightful data provided by the IFCN shows that global milk production is projected to increase by 35% between 2017 and 2030. This level of growth is promising for the industry but will also present many challenges and raise questions about our ability to provide more with fewer resources while adopting practices that are environmentally sound. To top everything off, all of this must be achieved while also continuing to increase transparency for consumers about how their milk is produced.

The main question is: Can we reduce the carbon footprint of milk while also improving our production and profitability?

Greenhouse gases have been a trending topic among consumers for several years, and this topic is now resonating more with dairy farmers across the world, as new regulations and initiatives are being presented. To achieve reduced emissions, we must look at ways to optimize production — including via nutritional solutions, which will play a very big role as we go forward.

Dairy producers can utilize nutritional solutions as tools for reducing methane emissions from dairy cows, but technologies that offer environmental benefits cannot compromise on animal performance, as doing so would mean requiring more animals to meet the growing demand for food. However, before looking to implement any of these solutions, dairy producers will need to measure their carbon footprint.

TOOL ONE: Alltech E-CO₂

To successfully reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, we must first know where these emissions come from. Analytical services, such as Alltech E-CO₂, identify and quantify these hotspots through accredited environmental assessments. Over the past 10 years and more than 10,000 assessments, Alltech E-CO₂ has found that the two largest sources of emissions on dairy farms are enteric emissions (i.e., methane from the rumen) and feed use. Together, these two sources contribute more than 60% of all emissions on dairy operations. These sources relate to rumen health and an animal’s ability to best maximize the feed it is being fed. By ensuring the production of a healthy and productive cow, we are helping operations improve their production efficiency while also enabling energy to be utilized for milk production and regular body maintenance, rather than being wasted by fighting health challenges. This type of information is critical for identifying targeted solutions that will enhance our methane mitigation strategies.

To successfully reduce a farm’s carbon footprint, we must look beyond one gas in one area and consider the balance of emissions across the entire farm. A lifecycle observation is one way of doing that, and it’s all about identifying opportunities to reduce waste and improve farm efficiency, which will translate to more money for the producer.

Learn more about Alltech E-CO₂ here.

Read on to learn more about two nutritional solutions that work to target the areas where there is room for improvement, as identified by Alltech E-CO₂.

TOOL TWO: Optigen^®

Optigen is a feed ingredient backed by years of robust research data that works to support production efficiency and sustainability. Optigen, a concentrated source of non-protein nitrogen, releases nitrogen into the rumen in a slow-release form. This provides a sustained release of ammonia in the rumen in sync with fermented carbohydrate digestion, thus allowing for efficient microbial protein synthesis in the rumen.  

In order to gather clear evidence that shows how we can use feed strategies to reduce our carbon footprint, the FAO developed a standard guideline for the environmental performance of feed additives in the livestock supply chain. These standards recommend the use of data from meta-analyses and life cycle analyses. Meta-analyses make it possible to combine data from years of multiple studies to arrive at an evidence-based conclusion by using comprehensive statistical procedures. Life-cycle analyses allow us to quantify the greenhouse gas emissions along the entire supply chain or in the production cycle of a particular product. Combining these two approaches demonstrates how feeding technologies can contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and/or better sustainability credentials.

Included here is an example of a meta-analysis of Optigen. The data from this meta-analysis indicate that, over the course of around two decades, research has shown that using Optigen is associated with a 23% reduction, on average, of plant protein sources in the diet. Soybean meal, specifically, can be reduced by about 21%, and an increase in feed efficiency of around 3% has also been documented. Additionally, diets that include Optigen and use reduced amounts of plant protein sources have been shown to improve nitrogen utilization efficiency by 4%, leading to a 14% reduction in the total carbon footprint of the diets of animals used in milk production.

 Read the full meta-analysis here.

TOOL 3: Yea-Sacc^®

There are some products on the market — like yeast cultures — that can help improve production efficiency while also reducing the carbon footprint of an operation. Yea-Sacc is a yeast culture based on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain of yeast. Yea-Sacc modifies rumen activity by supporting a consistent improvement in the growth and activity of lactic acid-utilizing bacteria, which helps stabilize the rumen pH. At the same time, it also works to improve the digestion and utilization of nutrients. Thanks to these types of improvements, cows can absorb more nutrients for higher milk production.

Utilizing a meta-analysis approach once again, a collection of 31 studies has shown that feeding Yea-Sacc to dairy cows can lead to an increased milk yield of 1 kg/head/day, on average, and can reduce the carbon footprint and nitrogen emission intensity by around 3% and 5.4%, respectively. These numbers demonstrate that it is possible for milk production efficiency to increase and for the carbon footprint and nitrogen excretion intensity to decrease simultaneously.

Explore the additional benefits of Yea-Sacc here.

At the beginning of this blog, we posed a question: Can we reduce the carbon footprint of milk while also improving our production and profitability? With proven tools like the ones outlined here, the answer to that question is yes: It is possible to reduce the carbon footprint of dairy production and to improve our economic returns and performance at the same time. Based on the data compiled in various meta-analyses, it is clear that there are feeding solutions on the market that farmers can use to reduce their emissions and increase their productivity and profitability in conjunction with nutritional strategies that will help improve production efficiency in dairy systems.

I want to learn more about nutrition for my dairy.

Aquaculture, in contrast with capture fisheries, has remained stable over the last few decades. The industry continues to grow and contribute to the increasing food supply for human consumption, reaching worldwide production of 80 million metric tons (Mt) in 2016. To sustain its growth, the aquaculture industry is highly dependent on commercial feed sources. The inclusion rate of traditionally used finite and expensive marine protein and fat sources from wild-caught fish (i.e., fishmeal and fish oil) in the diets of farm-raised fish species will continue to decline, and the industry has already shifted to crop-based raw materials to meet the rising demand for aquafeeds.

Fish require several carefully chosen raw materials to provide them with a healthy diet, but fish-based proteins are not essential. The industry has recognized this, and there are now many fish feeds with 0% fish-based protein ingredients and an industry average (FIFO Factor). Plant-based feed ingredients increasingly replace marine-based components, and therefore, an enhanced level of understanding of the nutritional quality of raw materials derived from plant sources is becoming increasingly crucial for aquafeeds. Moreover, the higher inclusion of less-expensive plant sources may introduce a series of anti-nutritional factors (e.g., protease inhibitors, phytates, saponins, glucosinolates, tannins, non-starch polysaccharides) and/or increase the occurrence of mycotoxins in fish feed; factors that may affect the quality and safety of aquafeeds.

Mycotoxins in aquaculture feed

Mycotoxins are fungi that can grow on crops during growth, harvest, processing or storage. The development of these fungi is climate-dependent and most commonly seen in tropical regions. In these climates, the fungi produce chemical compounds known as mycotoxins and can have a greater impact on animal health.

Fish farming is a diverse industry, and each aquaculture species will have different sensitivities to the impacts of mycotoxins. These can cause a reduction in performance — reduced growth and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) — and increased disease susceptibility and mortality rates. As these issues can be attributed to other concerns, the risk can often be overlooked and underestimated in aquaculture.

Mycotoxins are mainly detected in plant-based feedstuffs, readily present in corn, wheat and soybean meal. Increasingly, the occurrence of mycotoxins has been reported in aquafeeds. There are over 50 different types of mycotoxins, but the most commonly known and most prevalent is deoxynivalenol (DON).

Effects of deoxynivalenol on the health and growth of farmed fish species

Accumulation of DON in fish can be harmful and impact their performance. In terms of occurrence and toxicity, DON has been characterized as the most high-risk mycotoxin in aquafeeds. Its effects include:

1. Ribotoxic stress response: DON binds to ribosomes, inducing a “ribotoxic stress response” that activates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs).

2. Oxidative stress: DON causes oxidative stress in cells by damaging mitochondria function, either through the excessive release of free radicals — including reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce lipid peroxidation — or by decreasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

3. Impacting epithelial cells in the digestive tract: Predominantly, rapidly proliferating cells with a high protein turnover, such as immune cells, hepatocytes and epithelial cells of the digestive tract, are affected by DON.

4. Reduced growth rate: In Atlantic salmon diets, 3.7 mg/kg of DON resulted in a 20% reduction in feed intake, an 18% increase in FCR and a 31% reduction in specific growth rate. In white shrimp, DON levels of 0.5 and 1.0 ppm in the diet significantly reduced body weight and growth rate, while FCR and survival were not affected.

5. Decreased immune system response: Mycotoxins impair optimum animal performance by affecting intestinal, organ and immune systems. These, in turn, negatively impact overall performance and profitability.

6. Reduced feed intake: A study conducted by Woodward et al. (1983) showed that rainbow trout had a sharp taste acuity for DON. Their feed intake declined as the concentration of DON increased from 1–13 ppm of the diet, resulting in reduced growth and feed efficiency

The impacts will vary on many factors, including the quantity, feeding level, duration of exposure and aquatic species. A recent meta-analysis completed by Koletsi et al. (2021) highlights the risk of DON on feed intake and growth performance. In parallel, data was collected to quantify the risk of exposure in fish. The extent to which DON affects feed intake and growth performance was evaluated by employing a meta-analytical approach.

Having completed a full meta-analysis of the current research and trial data available for the aquaculture species, Koletsi et al. concluded that the current recommendation for the limit of DON in fish diets is too high and needs to be reviewed in order to protect the welfare of fish and maintain an economic advantage.

Preventing mycotoxins in aquaculture

Maintaining a good management system will help to control the mycotoxin risk. However, some mycotoxins remain stable, even after high-temperature extrusion processing. For this reason, additional steps should be taken to mitigate the risk. Alltech mycotoxin management tools, such as Alltech 37+® and Alltech® RAPIREAD, help farmers and feed producers identify their total mycotoxin risk (REQ). Evaluating risks associated with mycotoxins on animal performance and financial losses can be more rapid than ever before. Additionally, to further manage mycotoxin risk and understand what you can do for your business, you can visit knowmycotoxins.com.

References available on request.

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The threat of mycotoxins is nothing new to the companion animal industry. However, never before has it been so prevalent and public. Most recently, the reality of mycotoxins in pet food manifested in the death of more than 70 dogs and illness in 80 more in the U.S. due to aflatoxin poisoning. This led to a massive recall of pet food products after they were found to be the source of the issue (FDA, 2021).

Although pet food manufacturers have stringent quality and safety practices in place for choosing ingredients, even with strict testing procedures for mycotoxins in incoming materials and finished pet food, there can be challenges in knowing exactly what might be hiding in seemingly safe ingredients.

Grain processing, sampling error, analytical methods, synergistic interactions and storage conditions can all present challenges to the pet food manufacturer when trying to accurately detect mycotoxins. A disturbing event like this recent aflatoxin poisoning further emphasizes the need for grain and feed producers to know which mycotoxins they are most likely to encounter, what risks those mycotoxins bring to the table and how best to manage them.

What is aflatoxin?

Mycotoxins are substances that are produced by mold or fungus. Aflatoxin, specifically, is a metabolite produced by the greenish-yellow mold Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) and comes in four different strains: B1, B2, G1 and G2. The most toxic of those, aflatoxin B1, is a carcinogen that can adversely impact liver function and immune response.

Where does aflatoxin appear?

A. flavus can grow in a temperature range of 54–118° F, with optimum growth at 98.6° F. Its moisture requirements are low, meaning just 13–13.2% is optimal for growth.

Aflatoxin is usually seen in corn, cottonseed, peanuts, almonds and their associated byproducts. For this reason, corn is one of the ingredients in dog food that poses the greatest risk to companion animals.

All of these crops are typically grown in the southern U.S., where the temperature and moisture are optimal year after year. However, in 2020, the August 25 Drought Monitor showed that these optimal conditions spread far to the north and east, into corn-growing regions.

A recent report in the results of the Alltech Summer Harvest Survey showed that this change in weather patterns has created an unusual situation in which aflatoxin is being detected at higher than normal levels in corn samples outside of the normal high-risk areas. This now presents a new set of challenges for pet food manufacturers to consider when purchasing ingredients.

A. flavus can infest the corn plant through the silks at pollination, affecting the grain, and via stalks and leaves damaged by insects and weather events, such as high winds and hail. Infestation can be field-wide but is more often pocketed in areas of greater plant stress. This can make it challenging to identify aflatoxin in corn grain, as it may only be present in a few kernels in a truckload. Therefore, when testing incoming ingredients for mycotoxins, multiple pooled samples are required to accurately identify the potential risk.

Stored corn needs to be dried to less than 14% moisture and closely monitored for mold growth and insect damage. Screening the grain going into and/or out of storage is a good practice to remove the damaged and cracked kernels that can be a primary source of not only aflatoxin but other mycotoxins as well.

In addition to the risk attached to raw whole grains, feed producers should be aware of the higher risk of concentrated levels of mycotoxins that can be present in processed cereal by products like bran which is often used in pet food.

Fig 1. U.S Drought Monitor highlighting the drier than normal conditions in north and eastern regions (August 25, 2020)

Mycotoxin symptoms in dogs

While no pet owner wants to think about the risk of mycotoxins, it is important to know what to watch for to ensure early action can be taken where necessary to alleviate the problem. One of the primary signs of pets ingesting food contaminated with mycotoxins is liver damage, this can occur from either acute or chronic exposure. Other typical symptoms of mycotoxin contamination in dogs include:

• Vomiting and loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Lethargy
• Diarrhea
• A weakened immune system
• Respiratory illnesses
• Tremors
• Heart palpitations
• Jaundice

Aflatoxin is one of the most potent mycotoxins and a known carcinogenic, and long-term exposure can lead to death, causing devastation for pet owners and their families.

If your dog displays any of these clinical signs, it is important to visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. Take a picture of your dog food and the bag’s lot number for reference, as well.

What are the regulations regarding aflatoxin?

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) regulates aflatoxin in feedstuffs and feeds. The current regulatory limit for pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.) is 20 parts per billion (ppb).

In 2020, not only did aflatoxin’s geographic landscape grow — it also impacted the total corn yield. Decreased yield will necessitate moving greater amounts of corn around the country, further increasing the potential risk with corn in dog food.

Mitigating the threat of mycotoxins

To identify, manage and mitigate the mycotoxin challenge in feed production and to counteract the effects of mycotoxins before pets can encounter them, feed producers are advised to have a robust mycotoxin management plan in place, that can assess and manage risk at each step in the supply chain.  Modern, state-of-the-art testing, such as Alltech® 37+® and Alltech® RAPIREAD™,  can help to detect the mycotoxin risk and allow for the necessary control steps to be put in place.

For pet owners, where practical, it is encouraged to ask the manufacturer questions about their mycotoxin testing program and mitigation plan.

With a joined-up approach to mycotoxin management, the pet food industry can help to avoid a repeat of the recent feed recalls, and families can rest assured that they will not have to face up to the sad reality of losing a beloved pet.

For more information, please speak to your local Alltech representative or visit knowmycotoxins.com.  

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Over 50 mycotoxins can be tested for by the Alltech 37+ Laboratory

[DUNBOYNE, Ireland] New and emerging mycotoxins can now be analysed by the Alltech 37+^® Laboratory. In total, five new mycotoxins have been added to the testing panel, bringing the total number of detectable mycotoxins to 54. These new additions further increase the understanding of mycotoxin occurrence and the potential risk to animal performance.

Emerging mycotoxins refers to mycotoxins that are neither routinely analysed nor legislatively regulated. However, research has shown more evidence of their increasing incidence and potential toxicity to animals. The emerging mycotoxins analysed by Alltech 37+ include beauvericin; moniliformin; enniatins A, A1, B and B1; phomopsin A and alternariol. Fusaric acid also features in this emerging mycotoxin category.

“The Alltech 37+ mycotoxin analysis test is the cornerstone of the Alltech Mycotoxin Management program,” explained Nick Adams, global director, Mycotoxin Management, Alltech. “We now test for 54 mycotoxins. With this new analytical capability, Alltech is better equipped to understand how contaminated feedstuffs might impact animal performance and health.”

Due to their toxic properties, mycotoxins are a concern for livestock producers, as they can impact feed quality as well as animal health and performance. A world leader in mycotoxin management, Alltech’s 37+ test results provide a realistic picture of mycotoxin contamination in feed ingredients or total mixed rations, speeding up the process of diagnosis, and suggest effective remediation and help move toward an effective mycotoxin control plan.

“Since adding these mycotoxins to our analytical capabilities, we have already seen a high frequency of samples with these contaminants,” explained Dr. Patrick Ward, Ireland Analytical Services Laboratory manager, Alltech. “As we test more samples and accumulate more data, we will strengthen our understanding of these mycotoxins.”

Between Alltech’s 37+ mycotoxin analytical services laboratories in Lexington, Kentucky, and Dunboyne, Ireland, they have run over 30,000 samples, each searching for up to 54 mycotoxins in animal feed.

For more information on mycotoxin management, visit knowmycotoxins.com.

Aflatoxin, a type of mycotoxin, has been making headlines recently due to a grain recall situation. This got me thinking: while the livestock world is generally well-versed in mycotoxin management strategies, the equine world is likely less familiar with mycotoxins overall.

As the name suggests, mycotoxins are toxic compounds, produced in nature by certain types of mold and fungi. More than 500 types of mycotoxins have been identified to date, and multiple varieties are commonly found in animal feedstuffs, especially when environmental conditions prove favorable; warmer temperatures and higher moisture levels are often key contributors.

Horses may be exposed to mycotoxins through the consumption of infected pasture grasses, moldy forages or contaminated grains; even bedding can be impacted. While you may be able to see the molds that produce mycotoxins on contaminated feedstuffs, mycotoxins themselves are not visible to the naked eye, making them even more difficult to destroy. So, what can you do?

Aflatoxicosis: Signs and symptoms

I should first clarify that it is almost impossible to find pasture, hay, grain or bedding that is completely mold- and mycotoxin-free. Although harmful levels of mycotoxins are generally rare, elevated levels — especially of certain types of mycotoxins — are a serious cause for concern.

Aflatoxicosis, which is defined as poisoning caused by the consumption of substances or foods contaminated with aflatoxin, is typically produced by a type of mold called Aspergillus flavus. This naturally occurring fungus thrives in the humid conditions we’ve experienced over the past year.

According to petMD, making a definitive diagnosis of aflatoxicosis is often difficult because the clinical signs can be non-specific and mimic several other serious conditions. Aflatoxin poisoning may be associated with any of the following:

• Depression
• Elevated temperature
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Significant weight loss
• Abdominal pain (colic)
• Bloody feces
• Brown urine
• Recurrent airway obstruction (heaves)
• Ataxia (loss of coordination)
• Muscle spasms and/or seizures
• Death

While blood work may show raised levels of enzymes in the liver, among other fluctuations, samples from a living animal cannot conclusively diagnose the ingestion of aflatoxin. Instead, sampling the contaminated feed is recommended, although collecting a representative feed sample can prove challenging.

Treatment and prevention

If you suspect that your horse has ingested harmful levels of aflatoxin or any other mycotoxin, act immediately. You may choose to orally administer activated charcoal, which can absorb toxins and, as a result, help prevent them from being absorbed by your horse’s body. You must also remove any potentially contaminated feed sources.

Prevention is, of course, the best plan of action. Following the tips included below could help diminish your horses’ risk of exposure to potentially dangerous mycotoxins:

1. Keep feed storage areas clean, cool, dry and free of pests, which can chew holes in bagged feed, thereby exposing it to the elements.
2. When it comes to both hay and grain, feed old to new. Recognize when hay may be beyond appropriate fodder for horses and pay attention to the shelf life of grain — particularly if oil, molasses or other liquids have been added.
3. If you dump feed into storage bins or cans, it is important to regularly empty them and clean out the feed that gets stuck in the cracks and crevices of your containers.
4. Learn whether your feed manufacturer regularly tests their grain for mycotoxins — and avoid feeds from manufacturers who don’t.
5. Do not feed corn directly.
6. Always inspect your hay prior to feeding.

Our horses are truly our partners in equestrian sport, and it’s our responsibility to act as stewards on their behalf. Taking a little more time to be vigilant in your feeding practices will be well worth it and should help to alleviate worries about the potentially life-threatening outcomes associated with mycotoxin contamination.

I want to learn more about equine health and nutrition.

Despite the conditions we may currently see when we look outside, spring is here! As temperatures begin to rise and snow begins to melt, we need to keep watch for changes in our stored forages. As many will remember, the corn silage harvest last fall brought with it plenty of challenges. Most dairies have not yet experienced any of the issues that are expected to arise in their silage piles thanks to those harvest challenges — but spring will change that. As temperatures increase, wild yeast will begin to awaken in silages, leading to a decrease in forage stability, as well as the potential for issues with the total mixed ration (TMR) fed to livestock.

Last fall, high yeast levels were found in the fresh corn silage samples collected for the Alltech Harvest Analysis – North America (HANA). I have not seen many stability issues for silages yet, but they will manifest. As the warmer weather awakens the wild yeast, we will start to notice activity in our silages that was not present during the long, cold winter. When wild yeast is active in silage piles, it begins to feed on the energy from the corn silage, decreasing the energy available to livestock. Wild yeast can create many issues for a dairy, from decreasing forage stability to causing rumen upset at feeding. Additionally, the silage will begin to warm, leading to an increased pH and spoilage on the silage face, top and sides of the pile or bunker. This is especially true when Mucor and Penicillium molds are present.

If these changes go unnoticed in the forage storage unit and the silage is fed, symptoms will begin to appear in the barn. Common symptoms of active wild yeast being fed in silage include inconsistent and loose manure, decreased dry matter intake (DMI), a downturn in the farm’s butterfat test and, of course, reduced milk production.

Wild yeast has a negative impact on rumen function and cow performance. When this happens, I am often asked, “What can we do about this?”

Common symptoms of active wild yeast in dairy:

• Loose, inconsistent manure
• Decreased butterfat
• Decreased milk production
• Decreased dry matter intake

TEST THE FEED

First, evaluate and address the issues and concerns at the silage face. Whether your corn silage is stored in a silo, a bag, a bunker or a drive-over pile doesn’t matter; if the environmental conditions allow for it, wild yeast and spoilage can occur in any storage unit. If you think wild yeast is present, my first suggestion is to test the feed through a local lab, as this will give you clear answers about the levels and the specific types of contamination you are facing.

MANAGE YOUR STORAGE UNIT PROPERLY

The next step is to evaluate the silage face, looking specifically for any visible signs of heating or spoilage. This can be done by the producer and nutritionist, but an Alltech on-farm representative can also help identify any potentially concerning signs by using a thermal imaging camera. If any heating or spoilage is detected, an improvement in face management will be necessary. This can be accomplished by increasing removal rates from the face and keeping the face smooth and clean by using a facer. I have personally seen many producers not using their facer daily in the winter months due to the extreme cold, and while this is understandable, when the weather warms and becomes more spring-like, using a facer will be critical to minimizing the effects of wild yeast and spoilage.

DISCARD SPOILED FEED

Next, do not be afraid to discard suspicious forage and spoiled feed. I understand that producers do not want to be wasteful by throwing away feed every day, but if poor-quality forage is fed to our livestock, their performance will be negatively impacted.

FEED A LIVE YEAST

Lastly, feeding a quality live yeast like YEA-SACC® can help livestock overcome the adverse effects of wild yeast. Yea-Sacc bolsters the rumen by modulating the pH, scavenging oxygen, eliminating stress brought on by the wild yeast strains and enhancing overall rumen function. These benefits keep livestock performance on track and allow the animal to utilize the forages efficiently.

I want to learn more about improving nutrition on my dairy.

The devastating flooding in the Midwest has led not only to human loss but has also destroyed infrastructure, homes and farm buildings — not to mention the additional financial loss due to flooded grain facilities. The images of ruptured grain bins and flooded grain show only a portion of the destruction caused by this disastrous event.

Grain that has been subjected to flood damage is considered contaminated for food and feed use. Grain that was stored in the same facility but did not come in contact with floodwaters can be utilized as normal, but precautions should be taken. Grain from the upper portion of the bin must be removed from the side or the top; due to potential contamination, it cannot be removed through the bottom of the bin. Make sure the electricity is disconnected, as there will be a greater risk of potential shorts and damaged electric motors. Once removed, grain can be handled in various ways, including flat storing and bins.

Flat-stored corn should be closely monitored for temperature and moisture, as moist grain can sometimes flare up in “hot spots” and warm temperatures. When the temperature inside the grain pile reaches 150° F, the grain begins to compost, so it should be mixed or stirred. If the temperature reaches 170° F, the grain may begin to smolder and has the potential to catch fire. Monitor pile temperatures with deep probes or by driving pointed pipes into the pile, followed by lowering in a thermometer. Since this grain could be subjected to rainfall, it is important to continue monitoring it until the grain can be moved or covered.

Grain that is moved to bins will also need to be monitored. Aim for the recommended grain moisture level of 14 percent moisture for storage. Some producers utilize standard natural air bin drying systems with perforated floors and high-capacity fans. Supplemental heat can also help speed up drying time, but take caution not to raise the air temperature more than 10°–15°F.

Along with moisture, grain must also be monitored for mold and mycotoxins. Molds may or may not be visible and, as such, the grain should be analyzed. Mold can produce mycotoxins that impair animal performance and health while also reducing the grain’s nutritional value by lowering its energy level. Propionic acid can help control and maintain mold levels in stored grains, but application rates will vary based on the grain’s moisture level and the percent of propionic acid used in the product.

If it has not been contaminated by floodwaters, grain from flood-damaged facilities can be salvaged and properly removed, monitored for health and moisture in a new storage facility, and analyzed for mold and mycotoxins.

The recent flooding speaks to a larger concern for grain producers in the Midwest, where some areas experienced the wettest 12 months (April 2018 to April 2019) in 127 years. Overall, corn planting in the United States is 6 percent behind the five-year average — but some Midwestern states are even further behind than that. Of the top 18 corn-producing states, five had not begun planting by April 21. Topsoil moisture is at a 29 percent surplus for the entire U.S., with subsoil at a 26 percent surplus. A wet, delayed spring planting can put crops in jeopardy of pollinating and maturing in a more challenging environment. These trials could also subject the plant to mold and mycotoxin infestation.

Visit knowmycotoxins.com for more information on mycotoxin risks and solutions, such as the Alltech 37+® mycotoxin analysis test.

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The following is an edited transcript of Tom Martin's interview with Nick Adams. Click below to hear the full audio:

Tom:              Nick Adams is global manager of the Alltech® Mycotoxin Management team, and he joins us to talk about the ways in which his team is using the digital devices of the Internet of Things. He’ll explain the data they produce to study and track toxic substances produced by fungus that could travel all the way up the food chain. We thank you for being with us, Nick.

                        Nick, you work closely with the first European-based, state-of-the-art Alltech 37+® mycotoxin analytical services laboratory. Why 37+, and what goes on there at the lab?

Nick:               Tom, thanks for that. Why 37+? If we think about the concept of molds and mycotoxins, the mold is a living organism that grows in the field or grows on our feed and food ingredients as we store them. When those molds grow, they have the potential to produce mycotoxins. We know that there are four, five or six hundred or more mycotoxins that exist. If we want to understand what the real challenge is with regards to mycotoxins, one of the objectives is to measure those mycotoxins. And so, historically, that detection — that analysis — was quite a limiting factor for us; we couldn't detect those mycotoxins. With the advent of the state-of-the-art lab, as you mentioned, the instrument that we use is based on mass spectrometry. By detecting the molecular weight of the mycotoxin, we're now able to visualize lots of mycotoxins.

                        So, why 37+? Ultimately, it's the ability to measure — to visualize — lots of different mycotoxins, and because we know that each different feed ingredient might have hundreds of mycotoxins present, now, with the labs and instruments we have, we can actually measure those and visualize what potential issues there might be.

Tom:              Feed samples from across the United States, Canada and Europe have indicated high levels of mycotoxins. According to the Alltech 2017 Harvest Analysis, in fact, levels found in the U.S. corn silage are ranked extremely high. Has that trend continued in 2018?

Nick:               We'll wait to see exactly what happens with the 2018 harvest, but as we think about that 2017 harvest, when we bring in those materials, the level of risk is based on the growing season; we harvest those materials, they come with a high level of risk and, ultimately, we will feed those materials as they are.

                        What we find, particularly with silage, is that some feeds are more difficult to store because they're moist. There's a good chance that risk levels increase during the storage season because, with the presence of moisture within the feedstuff combined with the presence of oxygen, mold can proliferate. If the mold can proliferate, then, potentially, the mold can produce more mycotoxins.

                        So, yes, we are in the midst right now of feeding those 2017 grains, and when we think about that, we'll continue to do that until this 2018 harvest comes. And, at the moment, the weather is looking like it might be warmer for 2018, so we're waiting to see what impact that has on the crop growing cycle and what that means for the 2018 harvest. [Learn more about the 2018 U.S. analysis results here.]

Tom:              Is there some sort of macro-cause for this? Is there something that's happening weather-wise that is bringing together all those conditions that you cited?

Nick:               Yes. The weather has a huge impact on what molds grow in the field — the type of mold and how much of that mold grows. It's why the climate during that growing season has such a big impact. And it's why each growing season is quite different.

                        When we get to that harvest and we bring in that new season's grains, we really have to hit the reset button, because those grains will be different than the grains we've been feeding from the previous harvest. We have to then understand the risk from this new harvest, because that's essentially going to set the benchmark for what we’re going to feed for the next 12 months.

Tom:              Diagnosis and effective remediation of mycotoxin problems have been limited by the ability to accurately measure these toxic contaminants in feedstuffs. Is this problem of measurement being overcome by technological innovation?

Nick:               Yes. I mentioned a little bit before about the fact that we couldn't previously detect mycotoxins, and the advancements that we've made with the mass spectrometry-based systems have really helped us in that regard. With the 37+ labs that we have now, we are able to measure for 50 different mycotoxins. That gives us a great insight as to the challenge.

                        The other interesting thing when we think about technology is also the presence or the ability for us to have what we call a “rapid test kit.” So, using a slightly different approach, we're able to go more into the field and have a test that, within 15 to 20 minutes, can give us an idea around some of the key mycotoxins. There are five or six mycotoxins that we see on a quite regular basis in some of the feed materials we're testing. So, some of these main mycotoxins we can test for using these rapid test kits, and that helps point us in the right direction — it gives us an understanding as to the level of variation in some of these raw materials in a more real-time basis, as opposed to the 37+ testing, which gives us a much broader view but, obviously, takes it a little bit more time to do that.

Tom:              What about solutions, Nick? Has your team identified or developed any ways to address this?

Nick:               Yeah. This is an area that Alltech has been working on for many years. Ultimately, mycotoxins are consumed by the animal and they will be absorbed by the animal, and that's essentially where they cause the challenge. Within the gut initially, they can cause issues — and [also] then when they're absorbed. Anything that we can do to reduce the amount of mycotoxin that is consumed in the first place, or the amount of mycotoxin that is absorbed by the animal — those are the things that can help mitigate or reduce the challenges.

                        We work with mycotoxin absorbents, and those are products that we can put into the feed. Then, within the digestive tract of the animal, when the feed starts to be broken up and the nutrients are released, that's when the mycotoxins are also released. Having the absorbent material in there allows us to interact with those mycotoxins so that, rather than being absorbed by the animal, they're flushed through and excreted. So, these are some of the specific things, in terms of technologies, that we can add to the feed. This one is key.

                        We’re also looking at other elements of nutrition, such as vitamins — the trace mineral status. We know that mycotoxins affect the immunity of the animal, so offsetting that by looking at the mineral program can help, as well as looking at other control points outside of the animal itself. These are things that we can do with the management of the feed in the first place to reduce the production of more mycotoxins. Those little things that we work with our customers on to help them understand the different points within the feed chain — these are the things we can do to minimize the issue, and then, ultimately, when it gets to the animal, we use the absorbents as that final stage.

Tom:              To get to that information, that data on the farm-level, today’s farm is being “invaded” by all kinds of connected instruments and digital devices that make up the Internet of Things. How is that flow of data supporting and informing your mycotoxin mitigation strategies?

Nick:               Yeah, that's a great question. There's now so much data — we're being bombarded with it — but [when] used in the right way, it can help us. It can help us understand the problem more quickly and in more depth; we can find a solution more quickly and more accurately.

                        Something going on at the moment is better weather data. If we can understand better the weather during the growing cycle and the potential impact that it may have on the mold growth and mycotoxin production, then we can be ahead of the curve in terms of understanding what potential risks are coming. Now, there are weather companies that are getting more into the ag space and being able to give us better, more localized weather information for farms and fields.

                        We can also think about the concept of the analysis and, again, giving us better information on harvest analysis. If we can understand that risk, how do we then use that information in the formulation of the diet in the first place? We don’t have to wait until we see the impact on the farm. We're actually taking weather into account as we're putting together the basic nutrition for that farm. That can also be linked, then, back into the performance data coming from the farm.

                        We think about the concept of having mycotoxin analytical results and linking that to performance data from the farm. There are companies now that can take data from different sources, amalgamate that, and interpret it so that we can make decisions accordingly. So I think, in the future, we’ll see this concept whereby the mycotoxin data that we have — preharvest information on things like the weather, and the actual analytical information from the harvest analysis — that data can be fed into the systems and interpreted along with other pertinent information from the farm to help us understand, "Well, okay, what's my risk compared to other farms? Is that having a greater impact on my performance than I would like it to have?" So, without a doubt, we've had the data to a certain extent, but the fact that we can now put the data up into the cloud, where it can be accessed and turned around in real time — I think that's the key thing in allowing us to reduce that window of discovery on the farm, where it was always more reactive. Now, I think it's going to allow us to be more proactive in our approach to dealing with the problem.

Tom:              Is that farmer client given training to be able to analyze that information that's coming back? Are they able to interpret it?  

Nick:               That is such an important part of it. When we started analyzing for mycotoxins, the first question we thought about was, “Okay, we can analyze for all of these mycotoxins, but what will all of that data mean without the interpretation?” We spent a lot time on the reporting side to put something together that would give the user of that report a clear understanding as to, "These are the mycotoxins that are present. What might that mean for my flock, my herd, in terms of potential symptoms and performance implications, et cetera?" So, yes, it is important that not only do we provide the data, but that we provide the interpretation. I think that will be one of the key roles when we start to analyze these data sets together; it will be a dashboard, so we can create around that so that it can be visualized in such a way that is meaningful.

Tom:              Is it possible to have feeds and foods that are free of these mycotoxins and [are] more nutritious and can also deliver improved farm performance and better profitability?

Nick:               Without a doubt, if we can generate foods and feeds with lower levels of mycotoxins, animals thrive better. Our issue is around the fact that, as we have said, efficiency on-farm and particularly in the agronomic practices when we think about growing crops, we have turned to practices such as minimum-till farming, no-till farming, and there's less crop rotation than perhaps there used to be. These things have been good for us in many ways — but with molds and mycotoxins, not so good. So, the concept of mycotoxin-free feed when we look at our database, we might see 2, 3, 4 percent of the feed ingredients in feeds we analyze that have no detectable levels of those 50 different mycotoxins. So, conversely, 95, 96-plus percent of those feed ingredients have some level of mycotoxin present.

Tom:              The 37+ lab that you're affiliated with, is that the one located in Dunboyne?

Nick:               Yes.

Tom:              And it's one of a number of such facilities. How many of these are there, and where are they located?

Nick:               At the moment, we have two physical labs. We have the one at Alltech headquarters near Lexington, Kentucky. We have the European facility in Dunboyne [Ireland], and we work with the Chinese government in a partnership with a lab in Beijing. So, between those three facilities at the moment, they cover the globe, and samples will be sent to whichever is the most pertinent lab for that region.

Tom:              What are your near-term goals for mycotoxin management?

Nick:               I think the near-term goals for mycotoxin management — right here, right now — are to better utilize and communicate the contamination data that we are now generating in greater amounts. For a number of years now, we've conducted harvest analyses within Europe and in North America. This year, will see the first harvest analysis for Latin America. When we think about Brazil and Argentina particularly, these countries grow a lot of grain, and they export a lot of grain, so there's a lot of interest globally in some of those Latin American crops and the quality of those crops. So right here, right now, we're very focused on getting that Latin American harvest survey I’ve been running because, over the next few months, it will be critical as they go into their harvest period. And then, as I said, getting that data into a cloud-based format whereby, then, we can interpret and visualize that data far more easily, far more quickly — and, of course, that allows the communication of that data globally to our customers and our stakeholders far more rapidly.

Tom:              Nick Adams is global manager of the Alltech Mycotoxin Management team. We thank you for being with us, Nick.

Nick:               Thanks very much.

I want to learn more about mitigating mycotoxins on my farm.