PARTNER FEATURE ▶▶▶
Recognising the warning signs of mycotoxins in pigs
By recognising mycotoxin issues early it is possible to reduce the impact of mycotoxins on pigs. An outline of ten common warning signs will help pig producers to detect a mycotoxin problem as soon as possible.
BY DR RADKA BORUTOVA, DVM, PHD, EUROPEAN TECHNICAL SUPPORT MANAGER, ALLTECH MYCOTOXIN MANAGEMENT
M
ycotoxins are not unique to specific moulds, i.e., various species can produce the same my- cotoxins. There are also single species that pro- duce numerous mycotoxin types. While the sig-
nificant presence of just one mycotoxin can impact the well-being of pigs, smaller levels of multiple toxins often lead to more serious issues. Most regulatory guidelines advise on the safe levels of individual mycotoxins. However, these do not consider the cumulative effects of having multiple myco- toxins present in feed. This multi–mycotoxin challenge was
repeatedly demonstrated during mycotoxin testing. In Alltech’s 2020 European Summer Harvest Survey, the average number of mycotoxins in corn samples was 6.4.
What impact do mycotoxins have on pigs? Pigs are particularly susceptible to the risk posed by mycotox- ins. Ingestion of contaminated feed may impair a pig’s cellular and tissue integrity, leading to an unhealthy imbalance of physiological systems. These cause organ malfunction that results in lower pig performance, decreased immunity and re- duced health status. Zearalenone is an oestrogenic toxin (i.e., it mimics the action of the hormone) and therefore adversely affects reproduction. Most mycotoxins can cause acute, but more often chronic, toxicosis in pigs. To the pig producer, these subclinical losses often pose greater economic short- falls than those resulting from acute effects but tend to be more difficult to diagnose.
How to manage mycotoxins in pig production? Due to the invisible nature of these toxic compounds, even without signs of mould, there can still be a threat of contami- nation, making detection more complex. Applying a continu- ous and well-prepared preventative strategy will help to re- duce adverse effects. Equally, by spotting issues early, you can take steps to mitigate the impact of mycotoxins on your pigs’ health and performance. Here are ten common warning signs that all pig producers should watch out for when it comes to detecting a mycotoxin problem:
1
Mould infections may be visible in feed, but because mycotoxins are not visible to the naked eye, specialised detection techniques will be required.
22 ▶ ALL ABOUT FEED | Volume 29, No. 4, 2021
Visible moulds in pig feedstuffs Moulds can grow either before or after harvest, dur- ing storage, and contaminate almost all pig feed in- gredients. Producers must monitor potential con-
tamination in feed production, transportation and distribution. Sometimes, the mould infection is visible, mak- ing it possible to identify the potential risk and take preventa- tive action. However, mycotoxins are not visible to the naked eye and therefore require specialised detection techniques.
PHOTO: BERT JANSEN
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