Mycotoxins are a complicated issue. In this edition of the Advocator, we read the scientific perspective of the origins and impacts of mycotoxins. That leaves us asking, ‘But what about practical management of mycotoxins?’ When faced with a high toxin burden, we are often advised “to find new feed.” Yet, what if you can’t find a new feed? What if all the local feed is equally contaminated? What happens if it’s too cost-prohibitive to sell the grain and buy new, or you can’t sell it because the feed mills won’t accept it?

The one thing we can almost always guarantee in Missouri is mycotoxins in corn. The question is, which toxins and how bad? Fumonisin is front and center in every sample we’ve submitted for toxin concerns in Missouri. Other causes for concern include Zearalenone, Aflatoxins, and DON.

Sows and nursery pigs are the most at risk for health issues from toxins. During these phases, animals have the highest nutritional needs and an immune system that might be compromised or not fully developed. In either case, contaminated feed causes additional stress. The concern is that the damage to the gut becomes a problem because the immune system functions from the GI tract, and damage to the immune system makes animals more susceptible to other issues.

What can you do if you have a feed that is considered a risk for the production phase you are feeding?
• Blend It Down (if you can)
• Sell it for research (yes, we’ve sent in corn samples that are so bad they want it for research!)
• Feed Toxin Binders
• Aflatoxin is the most easily bound mycotoxin- and can be bound by clays. The efficacy of binding the remaining toxins is still debatable, but there are options available to reduce the damage. Also, remember that not all toxin binders are created equal. Sioux Nation Ag Center has a great product that combines the best technologies to bind as many toxins as possible. There is also a newer, soon-to-be-available product that binds to Fumonisin.
• Feed it to less susceptible animals • Generally, finishing animals are the least susceptible to long-term health challenges from contaminated feeds. Yet decreased performance can appear in the closeouts.
• Often, contaminated feed ends up in the cattle chain. While cattle are also susceptible to toxins, they tend to handle them better/differently than pigs. At the same time, it’s still not an accepted idea that cattle are susceptible to toxins.

In conclusion, the next time you have a barn full of gilts that aren’t coming into heat or a nursery full of pigs that aren’t growing, there may be feed contamination. In that case, we’ll be here to help you dig for the answers and devise a plan to move forward!