Corn silage samples for the 2019 harvest from Northeastern USA contained an average of 7.8 mycotoxins per sample. Notable mycotoxins include the type B trichothecenes family (DON group) at a 94% occurrence rate in samples, an average level of 3182 ppb in positive samples and a maximum of 13736 ppb (13.7 ppm) detected. A variety of type B trichothecene family members were present in these samples, including deoxynivalenol (DON, 94%), 3-acetyl-DON, 15-acetyl-DON, DON-3-glucoside and fusarenon X. 

Several other mycotoxin groups of importance are also observed. Zearalenone, detected in 54% of samples, averaged 491 ppb in positive samples with a sample containing up to 2137 ppb. Fusaric Acid, in 100% of samples, had a lower average concentration but was found at up to 5164 ppb. This is of importance because this mycotoxin may alter rumen function as well as interact synergistically with other mycotoxins such as the type B trichothecenes.

Finally, the emerging mycotoxins and Aspergillus mycotoxins were detected in a high portion of these samples, but were generally at lower levels of concentration. However, Aspergillus mycotoxins could continue to increase during storage and should be monitored.