Corn silage samples for the 2019 harvest from the Midwestern USA contained an average of 7.2 mycotoxins per sample. A notable mycotoxin group included the type B trichothecenes (DON family) at a 97% occurrence rate in samples. There was an average level of 1885 ppb in positive samples and a maximum of 13586 ppb (13.6 ppm) detected. A variety of type B trichothecene family members were present in these samples, including deoxynivalenol (DON, 97%), 3-acetyl-DON, 15-acetyl-DON, DON-3-glucoside and fusarenon X. These mycotoxins have the potential to impact all systems in the cow including feed intake, rumen function, gut health, organ health, reproduction, milk production/quality and immunity.

Several other mycotoxin groups of importance are also observed. Zearalenone, detected in 57% of samples, averaged 476 ppb in positive samples with up to 2215 ppb. Zearalenone can have a strong impact on reproductive performance. The type A trichothecenes (T2/HT2-toxin group) were detected in 26% of samples, with an average level of 143 ppb in positive samples and a maximum of 296 ppb. This mycotoxin group could impact intestinal, organ, reproductive and immune systems of the cow.