US animal feed at risk for mycotoxins, analysis confirms

The annual study surveyed 100 North American corn samples from across the United States and Canada from September to November 2015, testing for mycotoxin contamination to determine the risk posed to monogastrics. The Alltech 37+ mycotoxin analysis found an average 3.1 mycotoxins per sample that ranged from lower to higher risk for both swine and poultry. Ninety-seven percent of samples tested positive for at least one mycotoxin.

Areas of mycotoxin prevelance

The harvest analysis revealed the greatest prevalence of Fumonisins, Fusaric Acid and Type B Trichothecenes in both the Midwest and East Coast regions. Type B Trichothecenes and Fusaric Acid can interact synergistically with each other, increasing toxicity and elevating the potential to impact livestock and poultry health and performance.

Ingestion of Fumonisins can cause reduced feed intake, damage internal organs such as the liver and lungs, suppress the immune system, increase the number of gut pathogens and susceptibility to disease and cause poor vaccination response.

A similar analysis of 53 wheat crop samples from across the US and Canada showed an average 2.9 mycotoxins per sample, with Type B Trichothecenes and Fumonisins as the most predominant. Due to the levels present, nursery pigs and growers/finishers are at high risk and poultry layers and broilers at moderate risk for performance impacts.

“Management practices to prevent exposure are always the best course of action,” said Dr. Alexandra Weaver, Alltech Mycotoxin Management technical specialist. “Producers should consider testing feed samples to understand levels prior to storage and to understand the possible synergistic effects multiple mycotoxins can play in animal health and performance.”

Decreased profit margins for pigs

According to Weaver, scientific literature shows that on average, the risk levels (moderate) from this year’s corn crop may cause nursery pigs a reduction of 6.8 grams per day in average daily gain and an increase of 0.5% feed conversion rate (FCR). With this loss in performance and considering current prices, the reduction in net return per nursery pig is an estimated decrease of $6.23 margin over feed per pig. Grow finish pigs could see a reduction in average dairy gain by 24 grams per day with an increase in FCR by 14%. With this loss in performance, total carcass profit could see a decrease of $3.09 per pig.

At an average risk level (low) from corn, broilers may exhibit a reduction in 90 grams (0.2 pounds) in carcass weight per bird. Additionally, FCR may increase by approximately 4.7% causing an extra 2.5 days to reach desired market weight. With this loss in performance and considering current prices, the reduction in net return for broilers is an estimated decrease of $0.21 (€0.19) per bird.

“Even at low levels, mycotoxins may impact animal health and performance, resulting in a negative impact on profitability,” Weaver said. “Mycotoxin management from field to feedout is critical for reducing risks.”