Back to News Mycotoxins are a hidden but serious challenge in livestock farming.
Produced by moulds that grow on crops in the field or during storage, these toxic compounds can cause damage to health, impair fertility, reduce productivity, and cause significant economic losses. In this article, we explore what mycotoxins are, how they enter livestock feed, when they develop, their impact on animal health and performance, and the steps farmers can take to reduce their risks.
Summary:
- Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by moulds that contaminate crops that may then be used in livestock feed.
- Contamination is often invisible and unavoidable.
- Exposure to mycotoxins leads to reduced performance, fertility issues, suppressed immunity, and long-term productivity losses and health challenges in livestock.
- Major mycotoxins include aflatoxins, zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins, ochratoxins, and ergot alkaloids. Aflatoxins, in particularly, are highly toxic
- Prevention is key, but feed additives such as mycotoxin binders offer effective ongoing protection.
- UFAC’s Mycotrap, independently tested by the University of Ghent, is a cost effective solution solution to safeguard animal health and farm profitability.
What are Mycotoxins?
Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxic substances produced by certain species of fungi, particularly Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium. They are secondary metabolites, meaning they are not essential for the fungi’s growth but are produced as a defence mechanism under stress conditions such as drought, humidity, or insect damage to crops. Mycotoxins can survive processing and storage, remaining in feed ingredients after the manufacturing process.
How Mycotoxins get into livestock feed
Mycotoxins enter feed through contaminated raw materials such as maize, wheat, barley, soya, silage, and other grains. Contamination occurs in the field if crops are exposed to unfavourable weather, pest damage, or during storage if damp and poorly ventilated conditions. Even small amounts of contaminated feed can accumulate in the ration, leading to chronic exposure in livestock. Because mycotoxins are invisible, tasteless, and resistant to normal feed processing, they can easily go undetected without testing.
When do Mycotoxins develop?
The development of mycotoxins can occur at different points, both pre-harvest and post-harvest. In the field, Fusarium moulds tend to dominate, producing toxins such as deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisins. These are often linked to wet weather during flowering and grain fill, when crops are most susceptible. In contrast, Aspergillus species, which produce aflatoxins, thrive under hot and dry conditions, particularly when crops are stressed.
After harvest, improper storage becomes the main risk. If grains or silage are stored with too high a moisture content, or if oxygen is not excluded effectively in silage clamps, Penicillium and Aspergillus moulds can grow. This leads to the formation of toxins such as ochratoxin and further aflatoxin contamination. The fact that mycotoxins can be produced both in the field and in storage means the risk is continuous, making regular monitoring and preventative measures essential.
Effect on livestock
When livestock consume feed contaminated with mycotoxins, the toxins interfere with normal metabolism, immune function, and reproduction. The effects can range from reduced feed intake and slower growth rates to reproductive failure, reduced milk yield, and increased disease susceptibility. Often, the impact is subclinical, meaning animals may not appear visibly sick, but performance, fertility, and productivity are compromised.
Health impacts on livestock
The health effects of mycotoxins vary depending on the species of livestock, the level of exposure, and the type of toxin. Pigs are among the most sensitive, particularly to DON and zearalenone, leading to reduced fertility and slow growth. Poultry exposed to aflatoxins may show poor weight gain, reduced egg production, and higher susceptibility to diseases. Dairy cattle consuming contaminated silage or grain may suffer from reduced milk yields, mastitis, and reproductive issues. Chronic exposure in any species weakens the immune system, making animals less resilient to common farm diseases.
Summary of health impact on livestock:
- Reduced feed intake and poor weight gain
- Lower fertility and reproductive failure
- Suppressed immune function leading to higher disease risk
- Reduced milk yield and poorer egg production
- Organ damage, particularly to the liver and kidneys
- Increased vulnerability to secondary infections
- Chronic losses in productivity and profitability
Common types of Mycotoxins
There are many different mycotoxins, but only a handful occur regularly in feed and are of greatest concern for livestock production. These include aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins, and ergot alkaloids. Each has distinct properties and effects, and contamination often involves more than one toxin at the same time, compounding the risks.
Major Mycotoxins affecting livestock
Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus moulds, typically in hot and humid conditions. They are highly toxic and can cause liver damage, immune suppression, and in dairy cows, contamination of milk with aflatoxin M1.
Zearalenone is an oestrogenic toxin produced by Fusarium species. It mimics natural hormones, leading to fertility problems such as reduced conception rates, false heats, abortions, and poor litter size in pigs.
Deoxynivalenol (DON), also known as vomitoxin, reduces feed intake and causes digestive problems. It is particularly damaging for pigs, which are highly sensitive.
Fumonisins, also from Fusarium moulds, can cause reduced growth, respiratory issues, and in horses, a fatal condition known as equine leukoencephalomalacia.
Ochratoxin A is nephrotoxic, damaging the kidneys of pigs and poultry, and can persist in animal products.
Ergot alkaloids, produced by Claviceps species, contaminate grains and grasses and can cause nervous symptoms, poor growth, and reproductive failure.
Mitigation and prevention strategies
The first line of defence against mycotoxins is prevention. This begins in the field with careful crop management, using resistant varieties, crop rotation, and timely harvesting to reduce mould growth. Storage conditions are equally important. Grain and silage should be kept dry, cool, and well ventilated to prevent mould proliferation. Regular testing of feed ingredients can help identify risks early.
However, prevention alone cannot eliminate the threat, as mycotoxins are widespread and often unavoidable. This is why many farmers use feed additives designed to reduce the harmful impact of toxins.
What is a Mycotoxin binder?
A mycotoxin binder is a feed additive designed to bind or deactivate mycotoxins in the digestive tract before they are absorbed into the bloodstream. These products typically contain natural clays, yeasts, or enzymatic compounds that either physically trap the toxin or chemically transform it into a harmless form. The efficiency of a binder depends on the type of toxin, as some mycotoxins bind more readily than others.
Mycotoxin binders are usually added daily as part of the ration, particularly during high-risk periods such as warm and wet seasons, or when feed ingredients are known to carry contamination risks. Regular use provides ongoing protection, helping safeguard animal health, performance, and farm profitability.
How do Mycotoxin binders work?
Binders work by interacting directly with mycotoxins in the gut. Mineral-based binders such as bentonite or other clays, bind the toxins through physical adsorption, trapping them within their layered structures so they cannot pass into the bloodstream.
UFAC’s Mycotrap is an example of a scientifically validated mycotoxin binder. It combines mineral and biological components to cover a wide spectrum of toxins. Mycotrap has been independently tested by the University of Ghent, demonstrating its efficacy under laboratory and farm conditions. Trials showed that Mycotrap not only binds the most prevalent toxins but also helps improve feed intake, fertility, and overall performance in livestock challenged by contaminated diets. For farmers, this provides confidence that investment in a proven binder can protect both animal health and productivity.
Mycotoxins are an unavoidable challenge in modern livestock farming, arising both in the field and in storage. Their invisible nature and diverse effects make them a constant threat to animal health, fertility, and farm profitability. While careful crop and feed management reduces risks, complete prevention is not possible. This is why the use of effective mycotoxin binders is essential. Products such as UFAC’s Mycotrap, backed by independent research from the University of Ghent, provide proven protection across a broad spectrum of toxins. By integrating Mycotrap into rations, farmers can safeguard performance, protect animal welfare, and maintain the profitability of their enterprise.
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