In its annual survey, the Biomin PROcheck Mycotoxin Report found contamination levels in 2019 harvested corn to be of medium to high risk for all livestock and poultry species. The survey included 129 samples, and toxicity is dependent on toxin and feed ingredient type.
“The risk profile of 2019 corn is currently highly dynamic due to the number of samples,” the report said. “Overall, producers in the Midwest should be on the lookout for the impacts from deoxynivalenol and zearalenone, while Southern states should be vigilant regarding fumonisin and aflatoxin contamination.”
Here’s a look at the preliminary trends Biomin identified:
- Corn
- 95% of ground corn samples are positive for at least one mycotoxin
- 64% of all samples have more than one mycotoxin
- 2% aflatoxin prevalence in dry corn
- Corn silage
- 97% tested positive for at least one mycotoxin
- 42% have more than one mycotoxin
- 97% B-Trichothecene positive
- 39% Zearalenone prevalence
Biomin pulled samples from 18 states. Read the full report here.
If you’re sampling for mycotoxins, Iowa State University recommends the following:
- Mycotoxins aren’t evenly distributed, so you’ll need to pull a variety of samples.
- Visible mold doesn’t mean it’s a sample that will contain mycotoxins and grain without mold can have fungi.
- You need to send dry samples to the lab instead of wet because the mold can keep growing. Dry 1-pound samples to 13% moisture in the oven before sending.
Check out mycotoxin coverage here:
Minding Mycotoxins: How to Protect Livestock in Direct Grain Sales
Wet Grain Problem? Solution: Sell It to Livestock Owners For A Win-Win
Need-To-Knows Of Moisture, Quality Deductions And Long Elevator Lines
Read original article: https://cattlemensharrison.com/mycotoxin-survey-reveals-high-levels-of-molds/
By: Drovers