Mycotoxin Update Report for April 2019

Over 572 samples of feed and feedstuffs from 31 states have been analyzed and complied into thisMycotoxin Update Report for April 2019.

Take a look at the top-line trends below andclick hereto see the full report on mycotoxin prevalence across the US.

Corn

• 98% of ground corn samples are positive for at least one mycotoxin, vs 89% in 2017
• 72% of samples have more than one mycotoxin, vs 47% in 2017
• Aflatoxin prevalence in dry corn increased to 10% vs 4% in 2017, with average contamination levels increasing over four fold.
• Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) prevalence rose to 76% vs 70% in 2017, with average contamination level increasing by 44%
• Fumonisin prevalence jumped to 79% vs 52% in 2017, with average contamination levels increasing by 45%
• Zearalenone prevalence increased to 45% vs 25% in 2017, with average contamination levels remaining steady.

Corn By-Product

• 96% of samples are positive for at least one mycotoxin, vs 100% in 2017
• 90% of samples have more than one mycotoxin, vs 94% in 2017
• Aflatoxin prevalence decreased to 1% vs. 9% in 2017, both years with similar and low contamination levels.
• Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) prevalence decreased slightly to 94% vs 99% in 2017, with average contamination level increasing by 47%
• Fumonisin prevalence is 88% vs 91% in 2017, with average contamination levels remaining steady.
• Zearalenone prevalence is 84% vs 80% in 2017, with average contamination level nearly three-fold.

Corn Silage

• 90% of samples are positive for at least one mycotoxin, vs 91% in 2017
• 64% of samples have more than one mycotoxin, vs 30% in 2017, a drastic increase in co-contamination.
• Aflatoxin prevalence is 1% with low average contamination levels.
• Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) prevalence is remaining steady at 86% vs. 85% in 2017, with average contamination level increasing by 78%
• Fumonisin prevalence increased to 30% vs 12% in 2017, with average contamination levels increasing by 11%
• Zearalenone prevalence jumped to 59% vs 26% in 2017, with average contamination level increasing 2.4 fold.

These contamination levels present MEDIUM to HIGH risk for all livestock and poultry species depending on toxin and feed ingredient type.

Overall, producers in the Midwest should be on the lookout for the impacts from deoxynivalenol and zearalenone, while Southern states should be vigilant regarding fumonisin and aflatoxin contamination.

See theentire report here.