Clinical Epidemiological Investigation of Moldy Grain and Fodder Poisoning in Goat in Kathmandu Valley: A Technical report
Published:January 11, 2011
Summary
Abstract An outbreak of a syndrome of unknown etiology associated with the feeding of moldy maize grain and green fodder to the male goat in a herd of 3853 meant for sale for Dashahara festival during the month of October-2010 in Kathmandu valley of which in a period of 10 days 500 goats suddenly became ill with symptoms of anorexia, apathy, diarrhea and ruminal stasis .On clinical ...
The danger of feeding mouldy grains and fodder to livestock is often reported. The careful examination of fodder could reveal the moulds on it. The contamination of aflatoxin in feed could not be assesssed unless it was sent to a lab. The strict law in the country could stop such accidents.
A new technology of rearing goats with zero grazing and no forage feeding has been developed in the name Broiler goat. The technical paper on it has been published by me in this forum. The above technology would not only produce goat meat very economically with a conversion rate (FCR) 2.3-2.7. The special feed could be made available from feed plants with strict quality check to avoid toxicity problems.
Many parts of tropics and subtropic still goat production is either nomadic or pastoral form we have to cope with as it is but provided with some and fungal or mycotoxin inactivative chemical like Zn may reduce both effect of fungal spore or mycotoxin
The suggestion to add zinc to counter act toxicity due to moiuld is indeed disputable. The addition zeolites with Zn has been tried to reduce the absorption of toxins. In case of nomadic husbandry it may find ineffective. The scientists are striving to modernise the husbandry practices and evolve technologies to produce animal products with higher conversion efficiency. In such context any way the toxins and moulds are not acceptable.
Goats are sturdy animals and thrive well in hilly areas. In that context, extensive reariing would be well suited and economical in Katmandu-Nepal area. The maize which is given as source of energy is often infested with fungi causing mycotoxin in animals. This is often world wide problem. Some precautions can be taken to avoid further casualities like this. Making the nomadic community aware of implications of feeding mould infested maize. checking the quality of maize while purchasing or feeding. Immediate withdrawal of maize as soon as the suspecion of toxicosis arises, Practising simple technique like drying in sun to prevent mycosis(Ofcourse toxins will not be destroyed by drying). Feeding toxin binders,mannanoligosaccharides etc to prevent toxicosis. Finding alternate energy sources.Proper ensiling technologies may help to preserve the fodder Dr.Deepa Ananth
Even people are eating aflatoxin infested grains. The real solution for minimizing molds in the feed /food chain is drying grain and packaging in hermetic bags to avoid moisture build up. In other words, maintain a dry chain for both food and feed like pharmaceutical or processed food industry.
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