Mycotoxins & Food Safety

Mycotoxins In Silage: A Silent Loss In Profits

The Vermont Crops
and Soils Home Page

Limiting oxygen is the key to successfully limiting toxin production during ensilement. Oxygen is like a light switch. It can turn toxin production on and off during storage.

WHICH SILO IS BEST?

At the University of Vermont, eight different mycotoxins have been found contaminating Vermont feeds including vomitoxin, ochratoxin A, patulin, penicillic acid, T-2 toxin, verrucarin A, zearalenone, and kojic acid. These toxins were found to be present (in varying combinations) in haylage, corn silage, dry hay, grains, and all commodities. In one survey, the amount of mycotoxin in contaminated silage samples increased as the ensilement method changed from airtight, upright silos to concrete capped and uncapped silos. The highest forage concentrations of toxins were found in horizontal storage methods such as bunker silos and feed piles which were left open to oxygen.

(See complete) at:Mycotoxins In Silage: A Silent Loss In Profits. Alan Gotlieb, Professor (retired), Plant & Soil Science Department, University of Vermont ...

  

News Flash: Dec 28,2011 Feed and Milk Being Destroyed say Authorities

Newser) – A cancer-causing toxin found in milk produced by two major dairy companies in China—including the nation's largest—is being caused by rotten feed fed to cows, say Chinese authorities. The mildewed feed is creating high levels of carcinogenic aflatoxin in milk in the latest dairy scandal to rock
China. Authorities have ordered the tainted milk and feed destroyed, reports AP.