About 60% of feed for farm animals is affected by mycotoxins

Royal DSM recently released its annual mycotoxin study report. The results include data from 112,000 analyzes conducted on over 24,000 animal feed ingredient samples collected in 75 countries in 2021.

 The study indicated that the threats associated with the ingress of mycotoxins into animal protein remain high compared to 2020.

Product Manager, DSM Animal Nutrition and Health, Anneliese Müller said that the presence of mycotoxins compromises animal health, as well as increasing the likelihood of ill health, reducing productivity and leading to inefficient use of resources.

“Having a clear and accurate understanding of feed contaminants allows the industry to take appropriate countermeasures and improve profitability while ensuring animal welfare,” said the expert. “Globally, the average risk level was 62%, meaning that almost 2/3 of the samples contained at least one mycotoxin in excess of the limit. Moreover, depending on the region, the risk of infection varies from 44% in Europe to 79% in Asia.”

The results of the DSM mycotoxin study provide insight into the prevalence of six major pathogens in agricultural products, including corn (maize), wheat, soybeans, barley, rye, oats, rice, sorghum, millet and their by-products, which are used to feed farm animals, in particular poultry, pigs, ruminants and aquaculture.

Main regional trends:

North American corn (maize) shows slightly elevated concentrations of deoxynivalenol and fumonisins, while showing the same high prevalence as in 2020;

Deoxynivalenol levels are a major potential threat to the European cereal crop.

The most affected areas are Western and Southern Europe. The prevalence of T-2 toxin has increased in northern Europe, as has the prevalence of aflatoxins in southern Europe;

The Asia-Pacific region as a whole faces an increased risk of mycotoxins and aflatoxins remain a problem in this region. There was an increase in the content of ochratoxin A and toxin T-2;

In Latin America, fumonisins are also the most common mycotoxins in corn. While there was a slight decrease in fumonisin levels in South American corn, levels of deoxynivalenol increased;

Fusarium mycotoxins are widespread in the Middle East and North Africa;

Deoxynivalenol is a major problem in sub-Saharan Africa.

“The levels of risk indicated in the results indicate the likelihood that farmers will experience contamination of feed with mycotoxins. Given the latest results, producers around the world should closely monitor the quality of raw materials and feed for mycotoxin contamination and adopt a robust risk management program for these pathogens,” said Anneliese Müller.