Mycotoxin risks and the simple steps you can take to eliminate them

While a healthy animal is less susceptible to problems — especially when mycotoxins are only present in low levels — any animal can be at risk, writes Alltech InTouch feeding specialist Thomas O'Sullivan.

Generally, we associate mycotoxins with quite mouldy feedstuffs. However, even feed that looks totally clean contains large quantities of mycotoxins.

An ever-increasing issue that we are coming up against year on year is mycotoxin contamination in feed.

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring substances produced when mould in feeds or forages comes under stress. The risk may vary due to weather conditions, harvesting date, management and storage conditions, but today, any given feedstuff is more likely than not to contain mycotoxins — and usually, it will contain several types, which can interact to cause additional problems. As ruminant diets typically contain both concentrates and forages, this also increases the risk of exposure to multiple mycotoxins.