– Recent mycotoxin testing in Canadian silages and grains, conducted as part of the Alltech 2024 Canadian Harvest Analysis, is revealing significant regional variability in contamination levels, with corn silage showing particularly high risks.
Mycotoxins, which are natural substances produced by moulds and fungi, are a concern for livestock producers as they can influence feed quality and subsequent animal health and performance. Unfortunately, they are more prevalent — and more of a problem in agriculture — than ever before. More than 95% of crops today are contaminated with at least one mycotoxin, and usually two or more.
Because these toxins are difficult to detect, they can cause significant damage to animal health before producers even realize they are present. A proactive mycotoxin management program is essential, and the first step is learning which mycotoxins pose the highest risk in specific regions, crops and species.
“Canada has experienced a change in weather patterns from last year, particularly of note the greater rainfall across the prairies,” said Dr. Alexandra Weaver, global technical support for Alltech. “As a result, there appears to be greater mycotoxin risk in the Western Canada 2024 harvest than last year. We’ve also noticed continued risk from deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in Eastern Canada, which can impact animal health and performance.”
Other early results from the Alltech 2024 Canadian Harvest Analysis include:
Quebec:
90% of corn silage samples have tested positive for zearalenone (ZEA), with maximum levels reaching 1,369 ppb. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is found in 68% of samples, peaking at 6,782 ppb. T2-HT2 toxins are less common (25%) but still pose a risk.
Ontario:
Wheat samples show a 63% prevalence of DON and 45% for ZEA, with moderate risk levels on average. Corn samples have tested positive for DON with a maximum of over 4 ppm, with levels most problematic for swine, young and breeding animals.
Manitoba:
59% of barley samples contain DON, with maximum levels up to 3,700 ppb. Corn silage shows a 100% prevalence of ZEA, peaking at 1,118 ppb, and a 64% prevalence of DON, with a max of 3,200 ppb.
Saskatchewan:
88% of barley silage samples contain ZEA, and 30% have DON. T2-HT2 toxins also have a presence, at about 43% occurrence. All three mycotoxins average lower risk, but with potential for higher risk levels in some samples.
Alberta:
Barley silage shows lower risks, with ZEA detected in about 22% of samples. Corn silage shows a greater risk from ZEA, in 100% of tested samples and a maximum detection of over 700 ppb. Corn silage also shows a presence for DON and T2-HT2 toxins.
British Columbia:
Corn silage samples show a presence of multiple Fusarium mycotoxins, including DON, T2-HT2 toxins, ZEA, and emerging mycotoxins. On average, DON, T2-HT2 toxins and ZEA have been detected at lower-to-moderate risk for dairy cows. However, some silage samples have shown high risk levels of DON and T2-HT2 toxins.
Overall, early harvest testing suggests that corn silage may be a higher-risk commodity across Canada. Additionally, barley may have a greater prevalence of mycotoxins, and in higher concentrations, compared to wheat. Although it is too early to provide details on corn grain, producers are reminded that corn is commonly at risk of mycotoxin contamination. As such, animal and feed producers have a need for continued vigilance across grain and silage feed sources.
Alltech will host a live broadcast, “From Field to Feed: 2024 Crop and Mycotoxin Analysis,” on Nov. 21 at 10:00 a.m. EST, streamed live from Alltech headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. The broadcast will cover:
- Global weather impacts on crops
- Preliminary harvest results from key regions
- Trends in global trade and supply chains
- Practical tips for optimising your feed decisions
- A live panel discussion
Register online at alltech.com/harvest-analysis to attend the live broadcast and to access the full Harvest Analysis program, as well as the full Canadian report when it is released. For more information about Alltech’s mycotoxin management solutions, visit knowmycotoxins.com.
