University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Aflatoxin and Mycotoxin Risks Dr. Mike Hutjens Dairy Extension SpecialistDr. Mike Hutjens Dairy Extension Specialist University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Jim Baltz Instructional Design Specialist

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Drought-Stress Corn Risks Lower quality feedLower quality feed Nitrate levelsNitrate levels Aflatoxin risksAflatoxin risks

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign What is Aflatoxin A fungi (Aspergillus) produces aflatoxinA fungi (Aspergillus) produces aflatoxin Aflatoxin is a cancer-causing agent in humans and animalsAflatoxin is a cancer-causing agent in humans and animals Mold colonizes on corn kernels caused by ear rot or ear moldMold colonizes on corn kernels caused by ear rot or ear mold The mold is olive-green colored moldThe mold is olive-green colored mold

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Why is Aflatoxin A Concern for Lactating Cows? FDA has ruled any milk over 0.5 ppb (parts per billion) cannot be used for human consumptionFDA has ruled any milk over 0.5 ppb (parts per billion) cannot be used for human consumption Lactating cows excrete 1 to 2% of consumed aflatoxin in milkLactating cows excrete 1 to 2% of consumed aflatoxin in milk Rations over 20 ppb times 2% is 0.4 ppb (cows vary in the level of aflatoxin transferred)Rations over 20 ppb times 2% is 0.4 ppb (cows vary in the level of aflatoxin transferred)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Scouting and Identifying the Disease Inspecting at least 10 ears in several locations in a field prior to harvestingInspecting at least 10 ears in several locations in a field prior to harvesting Peel back the husks and look for an olive-green mold on the ears.Peel back the husks and look for an olive-green mold on the ears. Mold will appear powdery and may disperse like dust when the husk is pulled back.Mold will appear powdery and may disperse like dust when the husk is pulled back. Purdue Extension Diseas of Corn: Aspergillus Ear Rot BP-83-W

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Maximum Levels of Aflatoxin (In the total ration dry matter) Lactating dairy cattle 20 ppbLactating dairy cattle 20 ppb Breeding beef, swine, and dairy100 ppbBreeding beef, swine, and dairy100 ppb Swine200 ppbSwine200 ppb Beef steers300 ppbBeef steers300 ppb

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Mycotoxin Levels for Dairy Cattle Aflatoxin< 20 ppb (parts per billion)Aflatoxin< 20 ppb (parts per billion) DON (vomitoxin)< 6.0 ppm (parts per million)DON (vomitoxin)< 6.0 ppm (parts per million) T-2 toxin< 100 ppbT-2 toxin< 100 ppb Zearalenone< 300 ppbZearalenone< 300 ppb

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Signs of Mycotoxin Immune suppression (cattle do not respond to disease challenges)Immune suppression (cattle do not respond to disease challenges) Rumen disordersRumen disorders Loose fecal dischargesLoose fecal discharges Reduced dry matter intake (over 2 pounds per cow)Reduced dry matter intake (over 2 pounds per cow) Hormonal-like changes (udder development and reduced fertility)Hormonal-like changes (udder development and reduced fertility)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Strategies If Milk Is High in Aflatoxin Test your feeds to determine which feed(s) (corn, corn silage, fuzzy cottonseed, and/or corn by-product feed is an at-risk feed)Test your feeds to determine which feed(s) (corn, corn silage, fuzzy cottonseed, and/or corn by-product feed is an at-risk feed) Remove any at-risk feed immediately, milk can clear in 48 hours (varies by cow)Remove any at-risk feed immediately, milk can clear in 48 hours (varies by cow) Have your milk coop monitor your milk weekly to be sure it is safeHave your milk coop monitor your milk weekly to be sure it is safe

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Strategies With Aflatoxin- Contaminated Corn Grain or Silage Dilute down with wholesome forages and grainsDilute down with wholesome forages and grains Add an additive (flow agent)Add an additive (flow agent) Ammoniate the corn grainAmmoniate the corn grain Be aware of corn by-product risksBe aware of corn by-product risks

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Mycotoxin Binders Clay-based compounds such as bentonite, zeolite, and calcium aluminosilicate (50 to 225 gram / cow / day) when dealing with aflatoxinClay-based compounds such as bentonite, zeolite, and calcium aluminosilicate (50 to 225 gram / cow / day) when dealing with aflatoxin Yeast cell wall extracts (also call MOS and glucomannans) and enzymatic products can be effective when dealing with T-2 toxins, DON, and zearalenone (10 g / cow / day)Yeast cell wall extracts (also call MOS and glucomannans) and enzymatic products can be effective when dealing with T-2 toxins, DON, and zearalenone (10 g / cow / day)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Ammoniation of Aflatoxin-Contaminated Corn Grain Ammonia breaks the ring structure of aflatoxinAmmonia breaks the ring structure of aflatoxin Treat grain above 13% moisture and 60 degrees F in a sealed containment bag / binTreat grain above 13% moisture and 60 degrees F in a sealed containment bag / bin Ammonia gas (0.5% to 1.5%) or aqua-ammonia 2.6 lb of 26 to 28% ammonia liquidAmmonia gas (0.5% to 1.5%) or aqua-ammonia 2.6 lb of 26 to 28% ammonia liquid Corn will darken in color (caramelize sugar)Corn will darken in color (caramelize sugar) Can not be sold across state lines (FDA) and handling risks must be considered with ammoniaCan not be sold across state lines (FDA) and handling risks must be considered with ammonia

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign By-Product Feeds Corn distillers grain will be three times higher than the original corn in aflatoxinCorn distillers grain will be three times higher than the original corn in aflatoxin Corn gluten feed can be highCorn gluten feed can be high Hominy can be highHominy can be high Fuzzy cottonseed can contain aflatoxinFuzzy cottonseed can contain aflatoxin

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Management Considerations Testing feed is difficult due to sampling errorTesting feed is difficult due to sampling error Do not store wet corn with aflatoxin as high moisture corn; dry it down to < 14% moistureDo not store wet corn with aflatoxin as high moisture corn; dry it down to < 14% moisture Wet corn (rain or maturity) and warm weather favor aflatoxin developmentWet corn (rain or maturity) and warm weather favor aflatoxin development Screen out fines and broken kernelsScreen out fines and broken kernels Clean equipment after harvestClean equipment after harvest

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Protect Yourself Wear a respirator capable of filtering fine dust particles (N95 or better).Wear a respirator capable of filtering fine dust particles (N95 or better). Change your clothes after handling grain.Change your clothes after handling grain. See a doctor if you get sick after handling grain and make your physician aware of your activities.See a doctor if you get sick after handling grain and make your physician aware of your activities. Handle out-of-condition grain carefully. Be alert for blocked flow, cavities, crusting, and grain avalanches. Out-of- condition corn is the leading cause of suffocation in grain bins.Handle out-of-condition grain carefully. Be alert for blocked flow, cavities, crusting, and grain avalanches. Out-of- condition corn is the leading cause of suffocation in grain bins. Purdue Extension Managing Aspergillus Ear Rot and Aflatoxin

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Take Home Messages Monitor milk aflatoxin levels to protect your milk supply and consumer confidenceMonitor milk aflatoxin levels to protect your milk supply and consumer confidence Test feeds to determine riskTest feeds to determine risk Consider strategies to reduce levels in milkConsider strategies to reduce levels in milk

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