Author: John Winchell, Alltech Territory Sales Manager

Mycotoxins are the secondary metabolites produced by molds. They are, in part, the defense mechanism for molds. When molds are stressed or sense competition, they will release the odorless, invisible, stable, and toxic metabolites. Mycotoxins can be one of the most elusive maladies on the dairy farm. Often times, the discovery of mycotoxins is after the fact, when symptoms have emerged.

We often see the tell-tale signs of loose manure, fresh cow problems, reproduction problems, and challenged immunity.

The typical mycotoxin timeline of discovery can be 30-45 days after the initial insult. Once we rule out ration changes, weather changes, management changes, and forage changes we then look for other answers to diagnose the issue. Through the Alltech Mycotoxin Management Program, we can diagnose these issues with either the Neogen Raptor Rapid Test System, or with the Alltech 37+® LC/MS/MS testing platform.

Through experience with nutrition, weather, analytics, and on farm troubleshooting, we can work with the dairy to work on ways to prevent and reduce the impacts of mycotoxins. Traditionally, one of the ways to reduce the levels of mycotoxins are changing tillage practices, which with the popularity of No-till use and its positive environmental impact, is often not a viable option.

Mycotoxins are a constant risk for many crops throughout the world.  Managing the crop with the opportunities above, can help reduce and manage the risk of mycotoxins on your farm.

Contact your Alltech representative for more information.

Author: John Winchell, Alltech Territory Sales Manager

Mycotoxins are the secondary metabolites produced by molds. They are, in part, the defense mechanism for molds. When molds are stressed or sense competition, they will release the odorless, invisible, stable, and toxic metabolites. Mycotoxins can be one of the most elusive maladies on the dairy farm. Often times, the discovery of mycotoxins is after the fact, when symptoms have emerged.

We often see the tell-tale signs of loose manure, fresh cow problems, reproduction problems, and challenged immunity.

The typical mycotoxin timeline of discovery can be 30-45 days after the initial insult. Once we rule out ration changes, weather changes, management changes, and forage changes we then look for other answers to diagnose the issue. Through the Alltech Mycotoxin Management Program, we can diagnose these issues with either the Neogen Raptor Rapid Test System, or with the Alltech 37+® LC/MS/MS testing platform.

Through experience with nutrition, weather, analytics, and on farm troubleshooting, we can work with the dairy to work on ways to prevent and reduce the impacts of mycotoxins. Traditionally, one of the ways to reduce the levels of mycotoxins are changing tillage practices, which with the popularity of No-till use and its positive environmental impact, is often not a viable option.

Mycotoxins are a constant risk for many crops throughout the world.  Managing the crop with the opportunities above, can help reduce and manage the risk of mycotoxins on your farm.

Contact your Alltech representative for more information.

The most common issue that we see on farms is the lack of crop rotation. The emergence of monocultures, such as static year after year corn planting within the same field, can change the microbiome of the soil and also leave mold spore residues that often impact the following crops.

If given the right set of circumstances, such as temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and leaf wetness, which is the amount of hours the canopy is subject to a relative humidity over 85%, you will see a higher risk for mycotoxin development. The risk is greatly enhanced around flowering for wheat and tasseling to silking stage of corn development.

Weather will directly impact the risk levels in an individual field. River bottom ground and low lying areas can be more susceptible to fog, heavy dew, and increased hours of leaf wetness.

Corn variety selection also plays a pivotal role in reducing the potential for mycotoxins. Every seed company has a wide selection of varieties that can fit the needs of most farms. Often times, the varieties that are sold are high-yielding, “racehorse” varieties that will perform outstanding in great soil, and with optimum weather conditions. Many of these varieties can also be more susceptible to blights, insect pressure, and overall plant stress.

These are what we call “offensive” varieties. There are also “defensive” varieties that possess a greater ability to reduce plant stress and have a higher rating against the common rusts and leaf blights.

The best practice is to consider varieties that are more resistant to blights, in-field stress, and variable soil types. Also, the fields that have been in corn for over three years, should also have these more resistant varieties with proper above ground and below ground protection.

It is critical to make sure that you grow a relative maturity or corn heat unit that matches the location, elevation, and soil type.

Planting corn that is longer than the day length that your local environment can handle can lead you to harvesting either grain or silage later than your climate will allow. This can set you up for reduced dry down due to less growing degree days and hours of daylight, and also open the risk for inclement weather that can increase your mycotoxin risk.

Another issue to consider is the fluctuating day and night temperatures that come with a late harvest can stress the mold spores and increase the potential of mycotoxin development.

One of the most important opportunities to decrease the potential of mycotoxin risk is at harvest.

Harvesting at a dry matter for corn silage at around 33-36 percent dry matter is vital to the correct and efficient fermentation of silage. Not only does the feed quality sustain, but you can reduce the risk of increased late harvest mycotoxin risk.

Typically, after around 38 percent dry matter, you will reduce the proper fermentation window and reduce packing density potential. Also, as the corn plant dries down, the mold spores that are on the corn and in the silk channels, will become stressed and increase the risk for mycotoxin production.

Finally, one of the most controversial aspects of managing a corn crop, foliar corn treatment.  

Fungicides have been sprayed on corn crops for the last few years.  Foliar fungicide research shows a definite advantage with yield and often a reduction of blight and rust risk.  Often, the plant will stay green longer than corn plants that are not sprayed with a foliar treatment.

There are several classes of fungicides and each will affect the spores in a different way.  Research shows that certain classes of fungicides will not reduce the risk of gibberalla, but at times, increase it. This can result in increased levels of vomitoxin.  

Research also shows that other classes of foliar treatments, can reduce the vomitoxin level by up to 50 percent.

Timely foliar treatment is also critical. Several research studies have shown that there is a difference in the reduction of vomitoxin by the timing of application.  Foliar application at tassel, can increase yield, and reduce blight or rust risk.  

Research has also shown that the perfect timing for foliar applications is at mid silk for maximum vomitoxin reduction. This is due to silk channel infection by gibberella. With over 500 silks per ear of corn, proper coverage and timing is critical.

There are new and exciting non-fungicide foliar treatments that have shown to reduce the risk of mycotoxins.  More research is being done with these metabolites.

Author: John Winchell, Alltech Territory Sales Manager

Mycotoxins are the secondary metabolites produced by molds. They are, in part, the defense mechanism for molds. When molds are stressed or sense competition, they will release the odorless, invisible, stable, and toxic metabolites. Mycotoxins can be one of the most elusive maladies on the dairy farm. Often times, the discovery of mycotoxins is after the fact, when symptoms have emerged.

We often see the tell-tale signs of loose manure, fresh cow problems, reproduction problems, and challenged immunity.

The typical mycotoxin timeline of discovery can be 30-45 days after the initial insult. Once we rule out ration changes, weather changes, management changes, and forage changes we then look for other answers to diagnose the issue. Through the Alltech Mycotoxin Management Program, we can diagnose these issues with either the Neogen Raptor Rapid Test System, or with the Alltech 37+® LC/MS/MS testing platform.

Through experience with nutrition, weather, analytics, and on farm troubleshooting, we can work with the dairy to work on ways to prevent and reduce the impacts of mycotoxins. Traditionally, one of the ways to reduce the levels of mycotoxins are changing tillage practices, which with the popularity of No-till use and its positive environmental impact, is often not a viable option.

The most common issue that we see on farms is the lack of crop rotation. The emergence of monocultures, such as static year after year corn planting within the same field, can change the microbiome of the soil and also leave mold spore residues that often impact the following crops.

If given the right set of circumstances, such as temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and leaf wetness, which is the amount of hours the canopy is subject to a relative humidity over 85%, you will see a higher risk for mycotoxin development. The risk is greatly enhanced around flowering for wheat and tasseling to silking stage of corn development.

Weather will directly impact the risk levels in an individual field. River bottom ground and low lying areas can be more susceptible to fog, heavy dew, and increased hours of leaf wetness.

Corn variety selection also plays a pivotal role in reducing the potential for mycotoxins. Every seed company has a wide selection of varieties that can fit the needs of most farms. Often times, the varieties that are sold are high-yielding, “racehorse” varieties that will perform outstanding in great soil, and with optimum weather conditions. Many of these varieties can also be more susceptible to blights, insect pressure, and overall plant stress.

These are what we call “offensive” varieties. There are also “defensive” varieties that possess a greater ability to reduce plant stress and have a higher rating against the common rusts and leaf blights.

The best practice is to consider varieties that are more resistant to blights, in-field stress, and variable soil types. Also, the fields that have been in corn for over three years, should also have these more resistant varieties with proper above ground and below ground protection.

It is critical to make sure that you grow a relative maturity or corn heat unit that matches the location, elevation, and soil type.

Planting corn that is longer than the day length that your local environment can handle can lead you to harvesting either grain or silage later than your climate will allow. This can set you up for reduced dry down due to less growing degree days and hours of daylight, and also open the risk for inclement weather that can increase your mycotoxin risk.

Another issue to consider is the fluctuating day and night temperatures that come with a late harvest can stress the mold spores and increase the potential of mycotoxin development.

One of the most important opportunities to decrease the potential of mycotoxin risk is at harvest.

Harvesting at a dry matter for corn silage at around 33-36 percent dry matter is vital to the correct and efficient fermentation of silage. Not only does the feed quality sustain, but you can reduce the risk of increased late harvest mycotoxin risk.

Typically, after around 38 percent dry matter, you will reduce the proper fermentation window and reduce packing density potential. Also, as the corn plant dries down, the mold spores that are on the corn and in the silk channels, will become stressed and increase the risk for mycotoxin production.

Finally, one of the most controversial aspects of managing a corn crop, foliar corn treatment.  

Fungicides have been sprayed on corn crops for the last few years.  Foliar fungicide research shows a definite advantage with yield and often a reduction of blight and rust risk.  Often, the plant will stay green longer than corn plants that are not sprayed with a foliar treatment.

There are several classes of fungicides and each will affect the spores in a different way.  Research shows that certain classes of fungicides will not reduce the risk of gibberalla, but at times, increase it. This can result in increased levels of vomitoxin.  

Research also shows that other classes of foliar treatments, can reduce the vomitoxin level by up to 50 percent.

Timely foliar treatment is also critical. Several research studies have shown that there is a difference in the reduction of vomitoxin by the timing of application.  Foliar application at tassel, can increase yield, and reduce blight or rust risk.  

Research has also shown that the perfect timing for foliar applications is at mid silk for maximum vomitoxin reduction. This is due to silk channel infection by gibberella. With over 500 silks per ear of corn, proper coverage and timing is critical.

There are new and exciting non-fungicide foliar treatments that have shown to reduce the risk of mycotoxins.  More research is being done with these metabolites.