Preliminary analysis of corn silage samples in the U.S. reveals a high increase in mycotoxin contamination compared to 2023, with all samples containing two or more mycotoxins, Alltech says in the Alltech 2024 U.S. Harvest Analysis.
Mycotoxins, natural substances produced by molds and fungi, are a concern for livestock producers as they can influence feed quality and subsequent animal health and performance.
Not only are mycotoxins more prevalent today, but they are more of a problem in agriculture than ever before, Alltech says. More than 95% of crops today are contaminated with at least one mycotoxin and usually two or more, according to the latest report from Alltech.
“Because these toxins are difficult to detect, they can cause significant damage to animal health before producers even realize they are present. A proactive mycotoxin management program is essential, and the first step is learning which mycotoxins pose the highest risk in specific regions, crops and species,” Alltech says.
The preliminary results of the 2024 analysis deliver an early insight into the mycotoxin landscape.
“The weather pattern for 2024 is a prime driver for the change in corn silage mycotoxin risk. The precipitation over the upper Midwest started early and, in many areas, delayed planting or caused replanting,” Max Hawkins, technical support manager with Alltech’s mycotoxin management team, says in a release. “This excess moisture is a stimulant for Fusarium mold growth, which can produce mycotoxins such as type B trichothecenes, emerging mycotoxins and zearalenone.”
Overall, the numbers of mycotoxins per sample this year are 8.3 for 2024 versus 5.3 for 2023. The risk equivalent quantity (REQ), or risk estimate, from all the mycotoxin present is 201.6, or higher risk, vs. 122.7 for 2023, Hawkins explains. Alltech’s REQ system measures the cumulative risk of multiple mycotoxins in feed, making it easier to evaluate contamination. It combines mycotoxin levels into a single value, helping producers manage feed safety and quality.
Impact of Weather in 2024
“The spike in contamination is largely attributed to significant rainfall across the upper Midwest, which created favorable conditions for the growth of Fusarium molds,” Alltech says. These molds are responsible for producing various harmful mycotoxins, particularly type B trichothecenes, which pose the highest risk.
Alltech lists the following key mycotoxins in 2024 corn silage:
• Type B trichothecenes: These mycotoxins have seen a sharp increase, with an average concentration of 1,863 parts per billion (ppb) and a staggering maximum level of 43,717 ppb. In comparison, 2023 averages were notably lower, at 1,014 ppb with a maximum of 29,853 ppb.
• Zearalenone: Levels of zearalenone, known for its estrogenic effects in livestock, also rose significantly in 2024. The average concentration was 102 ppb, with a maximum of 2,134 ppb. In 2023, these values were much lower, at an average of 28 ppb and a maximum of 1,171 ppb.
• Emerging mycotoxins: Samples to date have shown an average of 100 ppb with a peak level of 4,300 ppb, up from 73 ppb and 987 ppb in 2023.
“With corn harvest progressing well, the number of samples arriving at the lab are increasing week on week,” Alltech reports. “Early indications are similar to last year, with risk increasing as you move to the East, following the rainfall patterns.”
The company says this risk is due primarily to Fusarium mycotoxins, type B trichothecenes, fumonisin and zearalenone, which can have a significant impact on swine performance, reproduction and overall health.
Alltech will host a live broadcast, “From Field to Feed: 2024 Crop and Mycotoxin Analysis,” on Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. Eastern, streamed live from Alltech’s headquarters in Lexington, Ky. The broadcast will cover global weather impacts on crops, preliminary harvest results from key regions, trends in global trade and supply chains, practical tips for optimizing your feed decisions and a live panel discussion.
Register online at alltech.com/harvest-analysis to attend the live broadcast and to access the full Harvest Analysis program, as well as the full U.S. report when it is released.
Editor’s Note: The Alltech U.S. Harvest Analysis, a decade-long initiative, is a comprehensive step in understanding the complexities of new-crop quality, mycotoxin prevalence, and the threat that mycotoxins pose to animals and producers. To determine the most accurate representation of mycotoxin risk across the U.S., samples are collected by Alltech representatives and sent to the company’s headquarters in Kentucky, where the Alltech 37+® laboratory can detect up to 54 individual mycotoxins.
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