aflatoxin and mycotoxin risks
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Aflatoxin and Mycotoxin Risks. Dr. Mike Hutjens Dairy Extension Specialist. Jim Baltz Instructional Design Specialist. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Drought-Stress Corn Risks. Lower quality feed Nitrate levels Aflatoxin risks. What is Aflatoxin. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Aflatoxin and Mycotoxin Risks
• Dr. Mike HutjensDairy Extension Specialist
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Jim BaltzInstructional Design Specialist
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Drought-Stress Corn Risks
• Lower quality feed
• Nitrate levels
• Aflatoxin risks
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
What is Aflatoxin• A fungi (Aspergillus) produces aflatoxin
• Aflatoxin is a cancer-causing agent in humans and animals
• Mold colonizes on corn kernels caused by ear rot or ear mold
• The mold is olive-green colored mold
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Why is Aflatoxin A Concern for Lactating Cows?• FDA has ruled any milk over 0.5 ppb (parts per
billion) cannot be used for human consumption
• Lactating cows excrete 1 to 2% of consumed aflatoxin in milk
• Rations over 20 ppb times 2% is 0.4 ppb (cows vary in the level of aflatoxin transferred)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Scouting and Identifying the Disease• Inspecting at least 10 ears in several
locations in a field prior to harvesting
• Peel back the husks and look for an olive-green mold on the ears.
• Mold will appear powdery and may disperse like dust when the husk is pulled back.
Purdue Extension Diseas of Corn: Aspergillus Ear Rot BP-83-W
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Maximum Levels of Aflatoxin(In the total ration dry matter) • Lactating dairy cattle 20 ppb
• Breeding beef, swine, and dairy 100 ppb
• Swine 200 ppb
• Beef steers 300 ppb
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Mycotoxin Levels for Dairy Cattle
• Aflatoxin < 20 ppb (parts per billion)
• DON (vomitoxin)< 6.0 ppm (parts per million)
• T-2 toxin < 100 ppb• Zearalenone < 300 ppb
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Signs of Mycotoxin• Immune suppression
(cattle do not respond to disease challenges)
• Rumen disorders
• Loose fecal discharges
• Reduced dry matter intake (over 2 pounds per cow)
• Hormonal-like changes (udder development and reduced fertility)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Strategies If Milk Is High in Aflatoxin• Test your feeds to determine which feed(s)
(corn, corn silage, fuzzy cottonseed, and/or corn by-product feed is an at-risk feed)
• Remove any at-risk feed immediately, milk can clear in 48 hours (varies by cow)
• Have your milk coop monitor your milk weekly to be sure it is safe
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Strategies With Aflatoxin- Contaminated Corn Grain or Silage• Dilute down with wholesome forages and
grains
• Add an additive (flow agent)
• Ammoniate the corn grain
• Be aware of corn by-product risks
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Mycotoxin Binders• Clay-based compounds such as bentonite,
zeolite, and calcium aluminosilicate (50 to 225 gram / cow / day) when dealing with aflatoxin
• Yeast cell wall extracts (also call MOS and glucomannans) and enzymatic products can be effective when dealing with T-2 toxins, DON, and zearalenone (10 g / cow / day)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ammoniation of Aflatoxin-Contaminated Corn Grain• Ammonia breaks the ring structure of aflatoxin• Treat grain above 13% moisture and 60 degrees F in a
sealed containment bag / bin• Ammonia gas (0.5% to 1.5%) or aqua-ammonia 2.6 lb of
26 to 28% ammonia liquid• Corn will darken in color (caramelize sugar)• Can not be sold across state lines (FDA) and handling
risks must be considered with ammonia
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
By-Product Feeds• Corn distillers grain will be three times higher
than the original corn in aflatoxin
• Corn gluten feed can be high
• Hominy can be high
• Fuzzy cottonseed can contain aflatoxin
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Management Considerations• Testing feed is difficult due to sampling error
• Do not store wet corn with aflatoxin as high moisture corn; dry it down to < 14% moisture
• Wet corn (rain or maturity) and warm weather favor aflatoxin development
• Screen out fines and broken kernels
• Clean equipment after harvest
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Protect Yourself• Wear a respirator capable of filtering fine dust particles
(N95 or better). • Change your clothes after handling grain. • See a doctor if you get sick after handling grain and make
your physician aware of your activities.• Handle out-of-condition grain carefully. Be alert for blocked
flow, cavities, crusting, and grain avalanches. Out-of-condition corn is the leading cause of suffocation in grain bins.
Purdue Extension Managing Aspergillus Ear Rot and Aflatoxin
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Take Home Messages• Monitor milk aflatoxin levels to protect
your milk supply and consumer confidence
• Test feeds to determine risk• Consider strategies to reduce levels in
milk
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Check out our online dairy courses at http://online.ansci.illinois.edu/and Illini DairyNET at http://www.livestocktrail.illinois.edu/dairynet/
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Mike HutjensDairy Extension Specialist
Jim BaltzInstructional Design Specialist