December 30, 2009

 

US livestock producers must test feed grains for mycotoxin

 

 

The wet weather and delayed harvest conditions this year has raised concerns of feed grain quality, thus livestock producers are encouraged to test their feed corn for possible mycotoxin contamination.

 

According to the USDA, 94% of Iowa's 2.5 billion bushel record crop had been harvested before the first big winter storm. About 88% of Nebraska's corn harvest was harvested before the snowstorm; while only 73% of South Dakota's and 53% of North Dakota's 2009 corn crop was harvested.

 

Moisture levels and the presence of moulds and mycotoxins continue to be a challenge for corn crops. Dairyland Laboratories in Arcadia, Wisconsin, reported out of 451 recent corn samples sent to them from farmers in the Midwest, 344 came back with some level of vomitoxin in them.

 

Mycotoxins are harmful toxins that can be produced by moulds on the grain if conditions are favourable, and they can create a variety of health problems for animals.

 

With increased efforts by grain elevators to get the corn dried and stored properly, livestock producers are also encouraged to be proactive with their supply of feed corn and DDGS. Testing samples and using a blending method are two common approaches. Producers can also either choose not to handle contaminated feed or use an effective mycotoxin adsorbent.