While there’s plenty of apprehension about the depleting grain harvest, many livestock producers are also concerned about the potential for an unsafe feed supply this year due to the drought. Extreme temperatures and the additional stress on plant growth have put this year’s crops at risk for increased nitrate levels as well as mold and mycotoxin problems, according to Dr. Swamy Haladi, member of Alltech’s mycotoxins management team.
Mycotoxins, harmful toxins produced by molds, can create a variety of health problems for animals depending on the animal species and the type of toxin. For instance, swine have a higher sensitivity to contaminated feed, so feed avoidance is a common symptom of mycotoxicoses in these animals. In poultry, egg shell quality, feed efficiency and immunity are affected. Ruminant animals can bear relatively higher mycotoxin challenges, but are not resistant as some people may think. For example, many mycotoxins have been shown to compromise milk production, reproduction and immunity, especially in high-yielding cows, says Haladi.