April 28, 2016

 

Alltech opens state-of-the-art mycotoxin laboratory in Europe

 

Dairy and beef cattle are at high risk for mycotoxin exposure, according to Alltech's 2015 European Grains and Forage Harvest Analysis.

 

Inconsistent weather conditions during the summer of 2015 increased the risk for mycotoxin contamination, leading to irregularities in plant growth and wreaking havoc on 2015's European crops.

 

Alltech's European Bioscience Centre in Dunboyne, Co. Meath, Ireland, aims to be one step ahead of the mycotoxin challenge. This month saw the opening of its first European-based, state-of-the-art Alltech 37+® mycotoxin analytical services laboratory.

 

The laboratory will be the third of its kind for Alltech, which has two similar laboratories in the US and China. To date, the laboratory in the US has analysed more than 10,000 samples since opening in 2012.

 

The new laboratory will provide much-needed, high-throughput mycotoxin profiling services in Europe to accelerate the detection process, while saving time and money for European farmers and food producers. Having such a laboratory in Europe will allow Alltech to investigate more than 38 different mycotoxins quantitatively and more than 50 others qualitatively in animal feed in less than 15 minutes per sample.

 

"The new laboratory at Alltech Ireland will assist European farmers and producers in the identification and management of the risks associated with mycotoxins," said Nick Adams, global director of the Alltech Mycotoxin Management Team. "The Alltech Mycotoxin Management Program and global Mycotoxin Management Team of researchers and specialised consultants offer unique and precise solutions to manage the menace of multiple mycotoxins."

 

Diagnosis and effective remediation of mycotoxin problems have, to date, been limited by the ability to accurately measure these toxic contaminants in feedstuffs.

 

With Alltech's new laboratory, a team of analytical scientists will assist farmers in constant monitoring of mycotoxin presence and levels in stored forage, which is an integral part of a forage management programme; the end goal is to reduce the impact on livestock and poultry performance and health.

 

The laboratory will be able to rapidly identify hidden threats in feed and provide a final report with recommendation for responses to the farmer.

 

"To have a dedicated centre for this innovative technology in Ireland will have a significant impact on the productivity, animal health, traceability, profitability and efficiency of not only Europe's farmers, but also Europe's food production systems," said Adams.

 

In 2013, the Alltech 37+® mycotoxin analysis programme garnered a one-star innovation award from INNOV'SPACE in France, a distinction programme that awards new product and service innovations in agriculture.

 

The Alltech 37+® mycotoxin analysis programme also earned a 2014 Dairy Herd Management Innovation Award. In addition, China Animal Health Magazine presented the programme with the 2014 Double Effect Star Solution award.

 

- Alltech