High levels of mycotoxins in corn silage across the United States

Results from the 2019 Alltech Harvest Analysis
indicate high levels of mycotoxins in corn silage
across the United States. Photos courtesy of Alltech.

11 December 2019. The past year has presented some challenging weather in the United States, particularly in the Midwest with heavy rain, which has resulted in delayed and/or prevented planting in many areas. Extreme weather conditions and moisture levels can reduce yields and induce plant stress, and they can also lead to future issues for the crop, according to Alltech’s 2019 harvest analysis.

Some of the issues can include molds and mycotoxins. Increased moisture can allow Fusarium molds to flourish, producing a variety of mycotoxins that include deoxynivalenol (DON), fusaric acid, T-2, HT-2 and zearalenone (ZEN).

Mycotoxins are a concern for livestock producers, as they influence feed quality and animal safety. They are produced by certain species of molds and can have toxic properties that impact animal health and performance.

Mycotoxins are seldom found in isolation, and when multiple mycotoxins are consumed, they may have additive interactions that increase the overall risk to performance and health. As a result, an animal may have a stronger response than what would be expected if it was only experiencing a single mycotoxin challenge.

Related:
13 December 2019. Koppert Biological Systems (K) has won the tender to distribute Aflasafe- a chemical that is used to suppress aflatoxin in grains. The firm, headquartered in Netherlands with a subsidiary in Kenya, won the tender through competitive bidding conducted by Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organisation (Kalro).

It is the first firm to win this tender following the official launch of the Aflasafe manufacturing plant in Machakos.

“We have won the tender and we will be charged with the responsibility of distributing Aflasafe across the country,” said Mr Charles Macharia, General Manager Koppert Biological Systems (Kenya).

@KoppertKenya was represented at the ongoing #Aflasafe4Africa Conference in Arusha, Tanzania. 
@MachaGituku was part of the panel "Scaling Innovations with Economic & Social Impact".