Alltech reminds dairy producers who thought their corn silage quality was top notch when they packed it away after the 2015 harvest, they may want to check again. Since their North America Harvest Analysis in December, additional testing through the Alltech 37+® mycotoxin analysis program is now indicating Type A Trichothecene mycotoxins are on the rise.

According to Dr. Max Hawkins, Alltech Mycotoxin Management team nutritionist, Type A Trichothecenes, predominantly known as the T-2 group, have shown an increase in levels present from 33.18 parts per billion (ppb) in September to 86.38 ppb in February. Type A Trichothecenes have been present in 46 percent of all samples of corn silage that have been submitted to the 37+ program.

Type A Trichothecenes are formed from Fusarium molds. Fusariums require moisture levels at or above 70 percent humidity as well as oxygen and a temperature range that can include cool days and nights to cool nights and hot days. Corn plants stressed from insect damage or birds, plant disease, wind and hail are always a concern for mold proliferation. Corn silages that are drier, poorly packed and allow greater oxygen penetration are also at a greater risk.

The ingestion of Type A Trichothecenes can impact dry matter intake, weight gain, milk production, transition issues, haemorrhages, estrus, conception rates, embryo survival and mortality.

The Alltech 37+ mycotoxin analysis tested 239 total corn silage samples from Sept.1, 2015 to March 8, 2016. The average sample contained 5.28 mycotoxins. Type B Trichothecenes and Fusaric acid were present in more than 90 percent of the samples, while fumonisins have been found in over 70 percent of the samples. The levels of these mycotoxin groups have remained relatively constant at a moderate-to-high risk since harvest. Type A Trichothecene toxins, however, have shown a steady increase since 2016.

“The increasing level of Type A Trichothecenes, along with the steadily higher level of Type B Trichothecenes and Fusaric acid, creates a combination of mycotoxins that can easily increase the risk of corn silage that is being included in to the TMR,” said Hawkins.

“If mycotoxins are an issue, your herd will be the first to signal,” said Hawkins. “If animals are not performing to their potential or unexplained symptoms persist, you may want to consider your corn silage quality.”