Nutrition is the game-changer when it comes to a dairy cows efficiency and functionality. Molds and mycotoxins can make or break a farms nutritional management program if not addressed. We must remember each are found every year, but some years are worse than others. Phibro Animal Health dove into this crucial topic during the recent World Dairy Expo as dairy farmers from around the globe visited their booth.
During the expo I sat down with Dr. Lon Whitlow, Professor Emeritus of Nutrition and Animal Science, Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, to learn more about this years forecast for molds and mycotoxins. He said a higher influx of both can occur with drought type conditions and when excess rain is seen late in the growing season. If harvest doesn’t happen at the right time, silage becomes dry and moisture sets up mold growth. Dr. Whitlow also said it’s hard to pack dry silage in silos and the prevalence of air deteriorates silage.
“Mycotoxins produced by the mold are poisonous. They impact the cow in a number of different ways including digestive upsets, reduction in feed digestibility and diarrhea. But the biggest upset and the one that is hard to see is the depression of the animals immunity.”
Listen here to learn more about how Phibro Animal Health is helping to educate farmers from Dr. Whitlow here: Interview with Dr. Lon Whitlow, NC State University
View and download photos from the event here: 2016 World Dairy Expo Photo Album.
