Alltech: A pioneering, holistic approach to mycotoxin management in livestock production

 

Mycotoxins remain one of the most persistent and complex challenges facing global livestock and feed production. Produced by naturally occurring molds, these toxic compounds can contaminate crops before harvest, during storage or throughout feed manufacturing, often without obvious visual signs.

Even at low levels, mycotoxins can compromise animal health, suppress performance, reduce feed efficiency, and negatively impact profitability. Addressing this risk effectively requires more than isolated testing or single-point solutions; it demands a comprehensive, integrated strategy.

For nearly 30 years, Alltech has been at the forefront of advancing the industry's understanding of mycotoxins and how they affect different species and production systems. Drawing on decades of research, global data collection and technological innovation, the Alltech^® Mycotoxin Management programme offers a pioneering, holistic approach that enables producers to identify, quantify, and mitigate mycotoxin risk across the entire feed and livestock production chain.

Seeing the whole challenge, from farm to feed mill

Effective mycotoxin management begins with recognising that contamination rarely occurs in isolation. Multiple mycotoxins often co-exist in the same raw material or finished feed, creating cumulative, or synergistic effects that intensify their impact on animal health. Weather patterns, agronomic practices, storage conditions, and global commodity movements all influence risk, making mycotoxin exposure highly dynamic.

Alltech's approach is built around seeing the whole challenge — from the field to the feed mill and from early risk assessment to long-term feed management. This philosophy underpins a structured three-step framework: risk identification, risk quantification, and risk mitigation.

Step 1: Risk identification — Understanding the threat

Accurate, comprehensive testing is the foundation of effective mycotoxin control. Alltech offers multiple testing solutions designed to suit different production environments and decision-making timelines.

The Alltech^® 37+ programme is a laboratory-based service capable of detecting up to 54 mycotoxins in raw materials or complete feeds. By going beyond traditional testing panels, Alltech 37+ provides a clearer picture of total contamination and highlights emerging or less commonly monitored mycotoxins that may still affect animal performance.

For situations where speed is critical, the Alltech^® RAPIREAD™ programme delivers rapid, on-site results for six key mycotoxins. This enables producers and feed mill operators to make immediate decisions about ingredient use, feed formulation, or mitigation strategies without waiting for laboratory turnaround times.

In addition to physical testing, Alltech supports proactive risk awareness through data-driven resources such as the Harvest Analysis and Asia Import Risk Analysis reports, alongside educational platforms like KnowMycotoxins.com. These tools provide valuable insight into regional contamination trends, helping producers anticipate challenges before mycotoxin issues impact production.

Digital platforms and mobile applications further enhance accessibility, ensuring that test results, risk data, and expert guidance are available in real time to support informed decision-making from the outset.

 

Step 2: Risk quantification — Turning data into insight

Identifying mycotoxins is only the first step; understanding their combined impact is essential. The Alltech^® Mycotoxin Management Portal provides secure, web-based access to both Alltech 37+ and Alltech RAPIREAD results, centralising data for easy interpretation and ongoing monitoring.

At the core of this system is the Risk Equivalent Quantity (REQ) model, which evaluates the cumulative risk posed by multiple mycotoxins and converts complex analytical data into a single numerical value. This simplifies risk assessment, enabling nutritionists and producers to quickly determine whether contamination levels are likely to affect specific animal groups.

With support from Alltech's global network of technical and scientific experts, test results can be interpreted in the context of species sensitivity, production stage, and historical contamination trends. Routine monitoring through scheduled testing enables early identification of emerging issues, supporting a proactive approach rather than reactive crisis management.

 

Step 3: Risk mitigation — Protecting animal health and performance

Once risk has been identified and quantified, targeted mitigation becomes essential. The Mycosorb^® range of mycotoxin adsorbents represents the final pillar of Alltech's management framework and is supported by decades of peer-reviewed research and continuous innovation.

Designed to bind a broad spectrum of mycotoxins within the digestive tract, Mycosorb solutions help reduce toxin absorption and protect animal health. Depending on the level of risk and the species being fed, producers can select tailored nutritional strategies to achieve optimal results.

Recent advancements include Mycosorb^® Evo and Mycosorb^® A+ Evo, next-generation technologies that offer enhanced efficacy against specific mycotoxin challenges while maintaining the broad-spectrum protection that has defined the Mycosorb range for years.

Implementation is further supported by Alltech's technical teams, who provide both in-person and digital assistance to help producers optimize inclusion rates, monitor effectiveness, and achieve sustained improvements in performance.

A complete, future-focused solution

Mycotoxin risk is not static, and neither are the solutions required to manage it effectively. Through continuous research, global surveillance and strategic collaborations, including expanded testing capabilities, Alltech continues to strengthen its ability to support producers in an increasingly complex feed landscape.

For producers seeking to protect animal health, safeguard productivity and future-proof their operations, taking a holistic view of mycotoxin management has never been more important. By combining advanced testing technologies, digital decision-support tools and proven nutritional solutions, the Alltech^® Mycotoxin Management programme delivers a complete, integrated approach to mycotoxin control.

- Alltech