February 2, 2010

US vetinary association reports on higher incidence of mycotoxicoses

 

The mid-January edition of the Journal of the American Vetinary Medical Association reports an increase in the rate of mycotoxicoses and provides some advice to counter the problem. 

Focusing primary on the hog industry, veterinary toxicologists and swine specialists commented on the high rate of recovery of vomitoxin (also known as deoxynivalenol, or DON) from corn destined for hog feed in the Midwest. 

DON is associated with feed refusal and, if levels exceed six parts per million, losses occur as a result of gastric ulcers, starvation and increased susceptibility to diseases of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.

Hog producers are also concerned about the presence of zearalenone, which is responsible for reproductive failure in sows.

Most feedmills are now implementing intensified mycotoxin assays in an attempt to identify consignments with high mycotoxin content. Simple immune-based test kits or laboratory chromatography assays are required to determine the range and approximate levels of toxins present in feeds. A comprehensive evaluation programme would include determination of moisture content and fluorescence, which are indicators of mould contamination. Segregation is, however, both difficult and expensive.