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Majority of feedstuffs usually contain multiple mycotoxins simultaneously.
February 14, 2020
A wet, humid fall can not only can delay harvest but can also set the stage for mold growth and increased risk of mycotoxins. The 2019 harvest was a wet one in many regions of the U.S., and even if the season ended on a dry note in one area, feedstuffs might have been exposed to molds in the field, during harvest or in storage, making the presence of mycotoxins a possibility, according to an announcement from Phibro Animal Health Corp.
In dairy cattle, mycotoxins can cause reduced milk production, digestive disorders, intestinal irritation, diarrhea, poor feed intake and, in some cases, suppressed immunity. The mycotoxins most likely to affect dairy cattle are aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON, or vomitoxin), fumonisins, zearalenone and T-2 toxin, Phibro said.
“DON is often used as a screen for mycotoxin-contaminated feedstuffs, since its presence indicates that the crop’s growing, harvesting and/or storage conditions were conducive to mold growth and subsequent mycotoxin formation,” said Dr. Dennis Nuzback, Phibro Animal Health research technical manager. “However, the majority of feedstuffs usually contain multiple mycotoxins simultaneously, so it’s important to know which ones are present in order to manage the problem.”
The presence of mold may cause dry matter losses, lower nutritional values and potentially formation of mycotoxins, Phibro said. Late-harvested grain, along with grain that was dried or stored improperly, may also contain mold and mycotoxins.
Nuzback advised producers to be vigilant and to take the following steps to reduce the incidence of mycotoxicosis in their dairy herds:
Monitor herd performance. Specific disease symptoms are different in different herds and are dependent on the presence of opportunistic organisms and other stressors, he said. Loose stools are one abnormality to watch out for, along with lower milk production or decreased butterfat. Look for the presence of moldy feed and mycotoxins with any poorly performing herd.
Examine feed. The visual presence of mold indicates a breakdown in harvesting or storage management practices. However, appearances can be deceiving, as two-thirds of molds do not produce mycotoxins, and grain that contains mycotoxins does not always display visible signs of mold contamination, Nuzback said.
Screen for mycotoxins. Suspect silages or grains can be tested for the presence of mold or mycotoxins. Laboratories will test samples for mold counts and species identification as well as measure the concentrations of DON and other mycotoxins through chemical analyses.
Consider supportive therapies and mitigation. Because some mycotoxins are degraded in the cow's rumen, it’s important to support robust rumen fermentation to modify mycotoxins and, thus, lessen the degree of the toxicity, he said.
“Buffers, effective fiber and direct-fed microbials can help restore rumen function in dairy cows,” Nuzback said. “Since many nutrients interact with mycotoxins and modify toxicity, optimal levels of nutrients -- including protein, energy and antioxidants -- can prove helpful in reducing the adverse effects of mycotoxins. Adsorbents and immunomodulators are the first line of defense against mycotoxins in feed.”
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