Are mycotoxins challenging your dairy herd performance
John Lawrence, Senior Mineral Supplements Technical Manager
Weather in recent years has been far from ideal with growing conditions leading to stressed crops and difficult harvests.
Maize, wholecrops and cereals are at particular risk from a mycotoxin perspective and straw from stressed crops is also one to watch.
Recent analysis has shown straw samples carrying a high mycotoxin load and representing a significant threat when fed at higher rates. And it’s worth remembering cows that have, or have recently had, acidosis will be less able to deal with a mycotoxin challenge.
Don't forget the dry cows
Based on feeding maize, wholecrop and a high proportion of straw, plus the lower dry matter intake (DMI) of a dry cow at typically less than 13kg/day, the concentration of mycotoxins can be significantly higher than the lactation ration and can have a negative impact on fresh cow performance post calving.
How to identify mycotoxicosis
Due to the many different types of mycotoxins, which all affect the animal in different ways, there is a wide range of symptoms.
A common misconception is that cows with mycotoxicosis will always have swollen legs and hocks. That is not always the case.
Symptoms of mycotoxicosis include:
- Decreased performance
- Reduced milk yield/quality
- Poor fertility/conception rates and reduced bulling activity
- Impaired growth
- Lameness
- Increased disease rate of conditions like pneumonia
- Digestive problems including:
- Reduced DMI
- Intestinal irritation/haemorrhages/ulcers
- Reduced nutrient absorption
- Loose dung/with mucous tags
- Swollen udders in heifers
- Foot lesions that struggle to heal
- Rough coats
- Poor body condition
Many of the symptoms of mycotoxicosis are very similar to other health issues in dairy cows so, as a guide, if you have two or three then you may have a mycotoxin challenge, especially if you have feed showing spoilage, visible mould and heating.
Recent research has shown mycotoxins zearalenone and fumonisin can have a wide range of effects on digestion and general health, including:
- Mycotoxins reducing the number of fibre-digesting bugs in the rumen
- Zearalenone (ZEN) lowered rumen pH
- ZEN reduced fatty acid concentration - poor rumen fermentation
- Fumonisin (FUM) causing an increase in liver enzymes, an indicator of liver inflammation or reduced liver function
- FUM causing an increase in heart and respiration rates
- ZEN increased body temperature up to a mild fever
(Source Hartinger 2022)
Even short-term exposure to mycotoxins, ZEN and FUM, can disrupt the rumen microbial population and impair health. Work from 2021 (Mavrommatis) also highlighted effects from the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON):
- DON suppressed immune system - increased oxidative stress
- DON reduced DMI - reduced rumen fill - reduced rumen capacity for fresh period when high DMI is required to maintain body condition
Mycotoxins are poisons, not bacteria or bugs, so cannot be killed with acids, additives or other chemicals. The only way to deal with a mycotoxin challenge is to bind them in the gut. But mycotoxin binders are not all the same.
Rumi-TOX™ MYCOTOXIN DEACTIVATOR
Rumi-TOX™ contains the first additive to be authorised in the EU to specifically counteract mycotoxins with a minimum aflatoxin binding capacity of 90%.
Feeding Rumi-TOX™ reduces mycotoxin absorption in the animal and contributes to the control of mycotoxins, reducing the damaging effects of mycotoxins on the animal’s health.
Rumi-TOX™ is a fast-acting mycotoxin deactivator. Once ingested, mycotoxins can be in the bloodstream within 20 minutes.
Rumi-TOX™ will break down mycotoxins into smaller molecules which are non-toxic. Rumi-TOX™ will not bind minerals and vitamins
For further information on mycotoxins or Rumi-TOX contact the Mineral Line on 10278 420481 or email [email protected]
