Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi’s team from Albidayer Stud recently reached out to the Alltech team in the UAE with a suspected toxin challenge.

After getting the paperwork together, the Alltech team was at the stud within three hours to take samples for analysis. They also brought with them some Mycosorb A⁺®, Alltech’s mycotoxin binder that reduces mycotoxin absorption within the animal, thereby negating the damaging effects of mycotoxins on its health and productivity.

The team at Albidayer was blown away by the Alltech UAE team’s quick reaction time, afforded using the RAPIREAD platform. Utilizing modern technology, such as the Raptor, meant that the team was able to pinpoint the issue and begin putting together a management plan straight away.

Samples analyzed with the Raptor showed a low level of Aflatoxin. The decision was then made to send the samples for testing in the Alltech 37+® mycotoxin analytical services laboratory in Ireland. Alltech 37+® mycotoxin analysis can test for over 50 mycotoxins, providing a realistic picture of feed contaminants in feed ingredients or TMRs. It speeds up the process of diagnosis, suggests effective remediation and helps move toward an effective mycotoxin control plan.

The Alltech RAPIREAD has also become a key component for one of the highest-performing herds in the UAE. National Dairy farm milks 2,000 cows and has a 305-day average of over 13,000 litres per cow.

Milk production at this level in desert conditions can be likened to a symphony orchestra; every instrument must be in harmony in order to play beautiful music. But, the environment itself can regularly try to put things out of tune — at time of writing (Sunday, July 19) the temperature is 43°C (109°F) with 30% humidity, for a “real feel” factor of 51°C (124°F).

With this kind of performance in these conditions, the quality and consistency of feed ingredients are paramount.

The below data shows a historical toxin challenge and goes to demonstrate what can happen when highly tuned dairy cows come under a burden of mycotoxins.

The reaction time from the Alltech UAE team and the Alltech 37+ lab in this instance was excellent. As an insurance policy when the farm first suspected the toxin challenge, they increased the level Mycosorb A⁺ and, as the data shows, the cows responded well within one week.

“I think, generally, the element of consistency is well understood as being a key factor in farm performance,” Gerald Kiernan, general manager, National Dairy farm said “Milking cows in desert conditions magnifies any underlying issues, and consistency, or lack thereof, can have catastrophic impacts. Partnering with Alltech on their RAPIREAD platform offers faster insights and more peace of mind, adding another key piece to the jigsaw puzzle of high milk production.”

To learn more about Alltech RAPIREAD and Alltech 37+ and how they can help your operation, visit knowmycotoxins.com.

Benjamin Franklin once said that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This adage is especially relevant when it comes to the agricultural industry. If simple precautions are not taken early in the production process, the resulting challenges can be detrimental to final performance. Also, while farmers may not want to budget for the ‘what if’s, dealing with possible problems can be far more costly.

Farming in every region comes with its own unique set of challenges. These are compounded by unstable weather conditions, price volatility and, most recently, the occurrence of an unforeseen global pandemic. Now more than ever, we need to look for ways to take control of our destiny and limit the margin of error.

One issue that farmers can take control of early on is the potential threat of mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are invisible, stable and toxic chemical compounds that can affect the productivity of even the best-run livestock production operations.

The Alltech® Mycotoxin Management program has brought the detection and control of mycotoxins into the farmer’s hands with Alltech® RAPIREAD™.

Incorporating the Raptor® Integrated Analysis Platform, Alltech RAPIREAD app and Data Sync Tool and Mycotoxin Management Portal, this fully integrated rapid test platform prioritizes production performance and profitability.

Providing actionable advice backed by data, it can help you make more informed decisions to mitigate the threat from mycotoxins, changing the nature of business operations for the better.

Alltech RAPIREAD is available to producers throughout the world and, since its introduction six weeks ago in the UAE, has already begun to make an impact with producers there.