Mycotoxins increasingly a problem in cattle too

Problems caused by mycotoxins are increasing due to climate change.  Mycotoxins can be produced at various stages, for example when crops are still in the field, during harvest, and during storage. Climate change is causing the average temperature to rise. Higher temperatures, combined with high humidity, increase the risk of mould growth and mycotoxin formation. This means it is becoming increasingly important to monitor mycotoxins. Mycotoxin-related problems have been common in poultry and pigs but now also form an increasing problem in cattle.

Various mycotoxins play a role in cattle. Strict concentration limits apply to aflatoxins in cattle feed because aflatoxin metabolites are excreted in milk. DON in cattle feed can reduce the volatile fatty acids in the rumen, reduce the microbe population, lower milk production and increase the incidence of inflammations. Higher concentrations of DON can lead to lameness and mastitis. ZEA can cause hormonal issues in cattle, resulting in follicular cysts for example. Lesser known mycotoxins can also be problematic for cattle. Fumitremorgin, gliotoxin and mycophenolic acid can have adverse effects such as mastitis and pneumonia. Gliotoxin also suppresses the immune system. Although problems caused by exposure to low levels of mycotoxins are often less visible, low levels of mycotoxins can also be harmful to animals and can impair the animal’s immune function and production. The adverse effects of mycotoxins often only become visible some weeks or months after feeding animals with contaminated feed.

The negative effects depend on the type of mycotoxin, exposure to the mycotoxin and the age, gender and health status of a cow. Different mycotoxins can strengthen each other synergistically. Mycotoxins often have a greater impact on high producing cows. In the past, clinical symptoms often made mycotoxin infections clearly identifiable.

Tox-Aid® has been specifically developed to control mycotoxins. It can be administered to cattle, pigs and poultry. Tox-Aid® contains inactivated yeast, clay minerals and a special mixture of herbs. The clay minerals bind the mycotoxins and the inactivated yeast produces enzymes that deactivate the mycotoxins, making them harmless. The natural herbs support the animal’s liver. Tox-Aid® protects the animal from the negative effects of mycotoxins.

We are seeing good results in practice when dairy cattle are administered Tox-Aid®. Please contact the E.F.S. nutrition team if you have any questions about mycotoxins for all species of animals.