Iowa State Uni: high incidence of mycotoxins in US
The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine reports a higher than normal incidence of corn affected by mycotoxins across Iowa and in samples submitted from six states including Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. Samples received from most regions of Iowa have tested positive for mycotoxins.
According to Steve Ensley, toxicologist with the VDL, “The wet summer and harvest season have caused a greater incidence of fungi in grains typically used in livestock feeding. We are receiving samples from throughout the region with elevated mycotoxin levels, particularly vomitoxin, zearalenone and some fumonisin. These levels can be tripled if grain is fermented at an ethanol processing plant, so it pays grain or feed producers to know what may be in the feed they are producing and feeders to know what they are getting so they can adjust rations appropriately.”
New rapid test
Using a new rapid screening test, Iowa State VDL can analyze feed or grains for mycotoxins and inform the producer as to the content of the feed made from the crop. Four mycotoxins typically can be present in the grain and detected in standard test panels: aflatoxin (more common with hot weather and dry conditions), fumonisins, deoxynivalenol (DON or vomitoxin) and zearalenone.
Additional information, including sample requirements and costs, is available on the Iowa State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory website.
[Source: Iowa State University]
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