Mycotoxin levels in grain are surprisingly running higher than a year ago, which should be a concern to livestock producers. High levels of mycotoxins or crop molds that create toxins can come from crop stress. However, Dr. Max Hawkins with Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management Team says this year it is more a function of mold growth during storage.
And that moisture is the perfect environment for growth of mold spores.
He says mycotoxins are at level that can result in decreased performance and milk production and so livestock producers need to develop a management strategy that includes adjustments in the ration.
Hawkins says to continue to monitor corn and silage in on farm storage. As the weather warms up the likelihood for mycotoxins to develop will increase.