|
 Mycotoxin
Management
Often, dairymen, nutritionists and veterinarians
encounter feed ingredients that contain molds
and their secondary metabolites, mycotoxins.
To some degree, mycotoxins contaminate nearly
every grain and forage. Low levels of common
mycotoxins can cause diarrhea, poor feed consumption
and depressed milk production. When present
in higher levels or combined with stress, mycotoxins
may cause weak heats, breeding failure, abortions
and death. Thus, dairymen and technicians understand
that mycotoxins pose a constant challenge.
Prevention and Programs
Crop rotation and deep plowing: Grandfather
had the right idea; rotating corps and deep
plowing can reduce the load of soil born-molds
(ultimately mycotoxins). Usually, the top 3
to 6 centimeters of soil contains enough oxygen
to facilitate mold growth. When soil has been
turned under, mold spores lack oxygen necessary
for growing and producing mycotoxins. Minimum
tillage programs aerate soil, encouraging mold
growth
Apply preservatives carefully:
Quality silage preservatives reduce mold growth
when they are applied properly, but have little
effect when they are not. Application procedures
may be more important than the brand selected.
Proper storage: All West/Select
Sires’ 2001 Mycotoxin Review found the type
of storage system has little effect on mycotoxin
contamination. To a great extent, proper cutting,
packing, covering and face management determine
the quality of ensiled forages. Often, feeders
give mold an opportunity to grow by loosening
and re-aerating the face of a silage pit when
they dig into it with a front-end loader.
Equipment and bunk management:
Studies demonstrate that of mold and mycotoxin
growth occurs in mixing wagons and feed bunks.
A small amount of TMR, left in a feed wagon,
can grow into a very toxic inoculant in a short
time. For the same reason, feed should not be
left in the mixer wagons between feedings. Feed
cattle frequently. Reducing the time feed spends
in the bunk decreases the opportunity for mold
growth and mycotoxin contamination.Selecting
the
Proper Additive
When TMR throughout the western part of the
United States was tested for mycotoxins (aflatoxin,
vomitoxin, T-2 and zearalenone) vomitoxin (DON)
was most commonly found at debilitating levels.
Aflatoxin was problematic in some rations, but
on the whole, levels were acceptable. Interestingly,
the most common feed additive selected to combat
the problem is a commercial product that uses
mannaoligosacchariedes to bind certain mycotoxins.
It claims to be moderately effective against
aflatoxin but not against vomitoxin. This is
not to say that aflatoxin is not of concern;
your feed additive should be effective when
vomitoxin, aflatoxin and other toxins are present.
Presently, the only feed additives known to
answer this call are the l-form bacteria of
Select DTX and Bio Cycle Plus.
DTX and Bio Cycle Plus are available
through All West/Select Sires salesmen and technicians
in 1/2 ounce per-head-per-day packages. Most
feed mills and mineral blenders offer concentrated
forms of these products.
  
For additional information contact:
Don Lamb
Director/Sales - Feed Supplement Division
Cellular: (360) 941-0009
FAX: (360) 835-1607
E-Mail: lambdk@juno.com
|
Signifies availability in Canada.