Canada - Livestock Producers Urged to Test Damaged Feed Grains for Molds and Mycotoxins

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is advising livestock producers be aware of the increased potential for the presence of molds or mycotoxins in damaged or weathered feed grains this year. As a result of the difficult growing and harvesting conditions in 2004, large amounts of grain that had been destined for human consumption hasn't made the grade for the food industry. Biotechnology Specialist Dr. Reem Barakat says, because it was a wet and humid year, there's an increased potential for the growth of molds in these grains. "The first outlet of this grain, it's very likely that it will be redirected into feed. Damaged grain, there's always potential for the presence of mold and the production of harmful chemicals called mycotoxins in the grain. In Canada we have things like the trichothecenes produced by molds, things like vomitoxin or DON. There is also a possibility for ochratoxin presence in grain, wheat barley, corn. Producers have to be aware of it because a high intake of these compounds will negatively impact animal production. Signs could be, for example, vomiting, reduced feed intake in animals. Some livestock species are more sensitive than others. Swine, for example, are more sensitive than cattle. It depends on the compound and on the intake. If a lot of damaged grain is redirected into the feed supply producers have to be aware and have their feed tested." Dr. Barakat says data from a sampling program conducted in the fall should be available this coming spring. Meanwhile, she says, there is a lot of useful information available on the internet about management practices, storage practices, which livestock species are most sensitive to which mycotoxins and guidelines for maximum acceptable levels.