University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Aflatoxin and Mycotoxin Risks

• Dr. Mike HutjensDairy Extension Specialist

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Jim BaltzInstructional Design Specialist

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Drought-Stress Corn Risks

• Lower quality feed

• Nitrate levels

• Aflatoxin risks

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

What is Aflatoxin• A fungi (Aspergillus) produces aflatoxin

• Aflatoxin is a cancer-causing agent in humans and animals

• Mold colonizes on corn kernels caused by ear rot or ear mold

• The 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 consumption

• Lactating 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)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Scouting and Identifying the Disease• Inspecting 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.

• 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 ppb

• Breeding beef, swine, and dairy 100 ppb

• Swine 200 ppb

• Beef steers 300 ppb

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Mycotoxin Levels for Dairy Cattle

• Aflatoxin < 20 ppb (parts per billion)

• DON (vomitoxin)< 6.0 ppm (parts per million)

• T-2 toxin < 100 ppb• Zearalenone < 300 ppb

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Signs of Mycotoxin• Immune suppression

(cattle do not respond to disease challenges)

• Rumen disorders

• Loose fecal discharges

• Reduced dry matter intake (over 2 pounds per cow)

• 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)

• 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 safe

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Strategies With Aflatoxin- Contaminated Corn Grain or Silage• Dilute down with wholesome forages and

grains

• Add an additive (flow agent)

• Ammoniate the corn grain

• Be 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 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)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Ammoniation of Aflatoxin-Contaminated Corn Grain• Ammonia breaks the ring structure of aflatoxin• Treat 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 liquid• Corn will darken in color (caramelize sugar)• Can 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 aflatoxin

• Corn gluten feed can be high

• Hominy can be high

• Fuzzy cottonseed can contain aflatoxin

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Management Considerations• Testing feed is difficult due to sampling error

• Do 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 development

• Screen out fines and broken kernels

• Clean equipment after harvest

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Protect Yourself• Wear a respirator capable of filtering fine dust particles

(N95 or better). • Change your clothes after handling grain. • 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.

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 confidence

• Test feeds to determine risk• Consider strategies to reduce levels in

milk

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Check out our online dairy courses at http://online.ansci.illinois.edu/and Illini DairyNET at http://www.livestocktrail.illinois.edu/dairynet/

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dr. Mike HutjensDairy Extension Specialist

Jim BaltzInstructional Design Specialist