10-29 IAN Aflatoxins

There is no doubt that feed quality will be a challenge this year. Four of the nation’s top producing corn states have already been given permission to blend corn at levels exceeding the United States Food and Drug Administration aflatoxin action level and other states may soon be following in pursuit.  As the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports this year’s corn supply at an eight-year low, much of the Midwest is trying to utilize this year’s poor corn crop for their livestock.The development of aflatoxins depends on the infestation and growth of the Aspergillus mold in grain. High temperatures and high humidity favor the infection of corn kernels through the silks by the Aspergillus fungi. Aflatoxins are primarily a problem in corn but can also occur in other grain crops. Aflatoxins are highly toxic to livestock, poultry, and people. Consumption of low concentrations by animals sensitive to aflatoxins can lead to death in 72 hours. In general, at nonfatal levels, the health and productivity of animals fed contaminated feed are seriously impaired. In the 2012 corn harvest across the nation, farmers are Finding More Aflatoxins. Here is Dr. Max Hawkins, Alltech Mycotoxin Management Team. “It is typically associated with hot dry weather So this year it is more of a concern. What we have seen so far, David, is that we were concerned like everyone else through the entire growing season that aflatoxins would be an issue. The way that we move grains around over many more miles than we used to years ago, it does bring more cows over a bigger area into the risk.” Hawkins says that Idaho dairy producers must be very diligent.