As climate change progresses, mycotoxins are expected to become increasingly prevalent in agricultural commodities.
over time and may damage various organs and systems. Their impact on immunity and gut health often leaves livestock more vulnerable to infection and pathogenic bacteria. Loss of appetite, declining reproductive and growth performance and other signs of compromised well-being are classic symp- toms of mycotoxicosis. In contrast to poultry and swine, it has been thought that the rumen microorganisms of ruminants act as natural detoxifiers. However, while ruminants can cope with a certain level of mycotoxins, there is strong evidence of a negative impact on health, even at mycotoxin concentrations below the detection limit. Across animal species, the tendency towards increased utili- sation of genetic potential to optimise production leaves lim- ited space for animals themselves to cope with external chal- lenges like mycotoxins.
Strategies for prevention Many farmers are already acting on the problem by using commercially available mycotoxin binders or deactivators in animal feed. In many ways, these are proving to be an effec- tive strategy for preventing and treating mycotoxicosis. As climate change continues to increase the risk of mycotoxin occurrence, farmers will need more complex tools of this kind in the future. New knowledge about mycotoxins and how
they interact with feed crops and the environment will provide the foundation for developing more complex and effective feed solutions for healthy, high-performing animals.
Full list of references available on request.
Figure 1 - Prevalence of aflatoxins and fumonisins in wheat across Europe 2013-2021.
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
0% Wheat
Northern Europe
2013
Wheat Central Europe
Aflatoxins 2014 Source: BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey 2015 2016 2017 2018 Wheat
Southern Europe
Wheat North
Europe
Wheat Central Europe
Fumonisins 2019
Wheat
Southern Europe
2020 2021
▶ MYCOTOXINS | NOVEMBER 2021
33
Prevalence, %
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