Higher Levles Of Myctoxins Found In Corn

As the 2016 harvest comes to a close in most regions across the country, producers are now looking at the quality of their crops as they prepare for winter storage. Late-season warmth accompanied by heavy rainfall proved to be ideal conditions for a rise in fumonisins and deoxynivalenol (DON) in the corn crop, posing a heightened risk to livestock health and performance. 

 

According to the Neogen November Mycotoxin and Crop Report, confirmed reports of fumonisins were found in corn crop across Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas at average levels ranging from five to 15 parts per million (ppm). The highest levels were found in North Carolina as corn grain tested at levels above 15 ppm. Neogen's report also found levels of DON above five ppm in Iowa, North Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, posing an increased risk to livestock. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), advisory limits suggest corn should contain less than five ppm of DON in swine and poultry diets. 

 

DON may increase the animal's susceptibility to infectious diseases by affecting intestinal health and the innate and adaptive immune system. Swine are most susceptible to the impacts of high levels of DON as it reduces feed intake and decreases weight gain, directly impacting profitability. The FDA estimates crop losses in the U.S. are more than $932 million annually due to high mycotoxin contamination from fumonisins, DON and aflatoxins combined. 

 

Fumonisins produced by Fusarium fungi are commonly found in corn crops and often considered field mycotoxins. Ingestion of fumonisins can put pigs at risk for susceptibility to diseases such as PRRSV, and reduce feed intake. High contamination levels in corn can also have a detrimental effect on the liver in swine, which could result in jaundice. 

 

According to Radka Borutova, Nutriad myocotxin specialist, mycotoxins can cause severe losses in the poultry and swine industry, not just in performance but mycotoxins act as an immunosuppressant agent, decreasing resistances to infectious diseases, ultimately increasing mortality rates.