High potential risk of mycotoxin contaminated grain

95% of mycotoxins in the feed are produced in the field. There is not necessarily visible fungal growth in contaminated grains. The EU has set maximum values for the individual toxins in feed, but we have to remember that reaction of contamination with several toxins is unpredictable - even in small concentrations.

The situation is not stable from one year to another. Wet and cool conditions favor the growth of Fusarium molds which can infect the plant during all growth periods and the level of toxins may increase.

This year we have experienced wet and cool weather during the blossom-time of crops which increases the risk of a high toxin pressure.

The forecast for the coming harvest indicates potentially moderate to high levels of DON in European wheat. Results of statistical analysis reveal that many parts of Europe can expect potentially harmful levels of mycotoxin contamination in the upcoming 2021 wheat harvest. 

Harvests in the southern European countries have an average of 45% risk to contain more than 150 ppb DON. The risk for central and eastern European countries is 34% and 32%, respectively. The estimated risk for northern European countries is 31%. (Source: Biomin)

In addition climate changes and increases in mycotoxin contamination and co-contamination may promote new mycotoxins appearing in regions where they are not commonly found today.

As a consequence the presence of mycotoxins can cause adverse health effects in animals going from reproductive problems and immune deficiency to gastrointestinal and skin disorders.

The negative effects on animal production are well-known: Impacted growth, high mortality, reduced milk and egg production, fertility, gut health and susceptibility to disease.

In addition to impairing animal performance, mycotoxins are causing several subclinical effects. They can occur due to the toxic effects of mycotoxins causing an increase of susceptibility to diseases and a decrease in vaccine efficiency or feed intake within the animals. These impairments in fact will then eventually lead to economic losses during animal production.

The cost of the above mentioned problems will typically be greater than the addition of toxin binders. Until we have an overview of the harvest situation we recommend to use the toxin binder X-Bond preventively to protect your herd against mycotoxins.