Alltech Unveils 2023 U.S. Harvest Analysis: variable mycotoxin risk reveals
Source: The DairyNews
In a year marked by unpredictable weather patterns, the Alltech 2023 U.S. Harvest Analysis sheds light on the variable mycotoxin risks facing farmers and producers across the nation.
With nearly 450 new-crop samples collected and assessed from diverse regions, the results highlight regional variations, showcasing lower mycotoxin risk in the upper Midwest and heightened risk in the East, attributed to a combination of drought and untimely rains.
Mycotoxins, produced by specific mold species, pose concerns for livestock producers, influencing feed quality and animal health, writes Alltech.
The decade-long Alltech U.S. Harvest Analysis initiative aims to comprehensively understand new-crop quality, mycotoxin prevalence, and the threats posed to animals and producers. The analysis, conducted at the Alltech 37+® laboratory in Kentucky, detects up to 54 individual mycotoxins.
Dr. Max Hawkins, technical support manager with Alltech’s mycotoxin management team, notes the dynamic nature of mycotoxin risks in the 2023 U.S. corn harvest. Drought in the West led to fumonisin risks, while late-season rainfall in the East favored Fusarium toxins. Routine monitoring during storage is recommended, with ingredients rarely in better condition than at harvest.
Key insights from the analysis include:
The Alltech 2023 U.S. Harvest Analysis underscores the ongoing challenge of managing mycotoxins. While post-harvest testing offers regional contamination insights, producers must consider post-harvest storage conditions and on-farm feeding practices. Establishing a routine testing program enables producers to uncover specific risks, empowering them to make informed choices and implement necessary mitigation strategies for the health and performance of their animals.
Mycotoxins, produced by specific mold species, pose concerns for livestock producers, influencing feed quality and animal health, writes Alltech.
The decade-long Alltech U.S. Harvest Analysis initiative aims to comprehensively understand new-crop quality, mycotoxin prevalence, and the threats posed to animals and producers. The analysis, conducted at the Alltech 37+® laboratory in Kentucky, detects up to 54 individual mycotoxins.
Dr. Max Hawkins, technical support manager with Alltech’s mycotoxin management team, notes the dynamic nature of mycotoxin risks in the 2023 U.S. corn harvest. Drought in the West led to fumonisin risks, while late-season rainfall in the East favored Fusarium toxins. Routine monitoring during storage is recommended, with ingredients rarely in better condition than at harvest.
Key insights from the analysis include:
- Dry conditions in the West heighten fumonisin risk, while rain-affected harvests in the East result in higher deoxynivalenol (DON) levels.
- Overall, the mycotoxin challenge in corn grain and silage is lower in 2023, but pockets of higher risk persist in the Midwest and South.
- Surprising aflatoxin B1 risk identified in Iowa, along with Penicillium presence in grains, typically a concern in forages.
- Corn stored at 14% moisture requires careful monitoring, as it may face higher risks upon retrieval.
- Corn grain samples, averaging 4.4 mycotoxins per sample, exhibit 87% with multiple mycotoxins. Producers are advised to be vigilant, particularly in regions with elevated mycotoxin risks. Corn silage, affected by early-season drought in the West and varied risks in the East, prompts continuous monitoring and testing to inform producers of evolving mycotoxin risks.
The Alltech 2023 U.S. Harvest Analysis underscores the ongoing challenge of managing mycotoxins. While post-harvest testing offers regional contamination insights, producers must consider post-harvest storage conditions and on-farm feeding practices. Establishing a routine testing program enables producers to uncover specific risks, empowering them to make informed choices and implement necessary mitigation strategies for the health and performance of their animals.
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