Mycotoxin-related threats to livestock production range from high to severe across the Americas according to the latest BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey. North America registered 5 major mycotoxins at concentration levels known to cause harm in animals while South America, facing high threat, registered four. The survey results provide insights into the incidence of the six major mycotoxins in the agricultural commodities used for livestock feed.Main findings
- 79% of samples tested positive for the presence of at least one mycotoxin.
- Fumonisins (59%) and deoxynivalenol (44%) were the most common mycotoxins in the Americas with average values of 2,585 and 1,172 parts per billion, respectively.
- 34% of samples tested positive for 2 or more mycotoxins.
Aflatoxin concentrations spiked sharply
Compared to the previous year, aflatoxin occurrence slightly decreased while the average concentration of aflatoxins measured in parts per billion increased by 2.5 fold. Deoxynivalenol occurrence rose by 11% while concentration levels (in ppb) rose by more than a quarter.
Multiple mycotoxin occurrence is common
79% of all the samples analyzed from the Americas contained at least one mycotoxin. In 43% of those positive cases, samples contained two or more mycotoxins.
"The extensive contamination of feed by multiple mycotoxins, known as co-occurrence, highlights the need for mycotoxin risk management solutions that encompass several modes of action," said Dr. Raj Murugesan, Technical and Marketing Director of BIOMIN America Inc.
Americas survey data
More than 5,600 analyses were conducted on 1,215 samples sourced from 9 countries throughout the Americas.
About the survey
The annual BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey constitutes the longest running and most comprehensive survey of its kind, using advanced analytical tools on more than 6,000 samples taken from 64 countries worldwide. 26,000 analyses were conducted to determine the presence of mycotoxins and potential risk posed to livestock animal production.
The full report can be found on the BIOMIN website, www.biomin.net.
4.24.2015