Introduction to Mycotoxins
Virtually all livestock feeds contain molds or mold spores,
usually in small amounts. Under
certain conditions, these molds can grow rapidly. Mold growth is
undesirable because as the mold
grows it consumes valuable nutrients, lowering the energy, fat,
protein, and vitamin content of the
feed which may lead to nutritional deficiencies. Mold growth
causes feeds to cake or clump,
making them more difficult to handle, and molded feeds generally
change in color, consistency,
and smell, causing animals to reject them. In addition, as they
grow, molds can produce toxic
compounds called mycotoxins.
While mycotoxins cause significant losses in crop receipts, few
systematic estimates of the
economic losses associated with mycotoxins have been made. One of
the few economic estimates
available put the losses of North Carolina corn producers and
handlers at $30 million in 1980.
Other crops such as peanuts, soybeans, cotton, and small grains
can also be affected.
Mycotoxins also cause significant economic losses to livestock
producers due to impaired animal
health, reduced productivity and, in severe cases, death. In 1992
the estimated annual economic
impact of mycotoxin contamination on animal productivity in North
Carolina was $20 million for
poultry, $10 million for swine, $5 million for dairy, $1 million
for beef and sheep, and $1 million
for horses.
Prepared by
Mary Beth Genter, Extension Toxicology Specialist
Winston M. Hagler, Director of NCSU Mycotoxin Laboratory
Jeff A. Hansen, Extension Animal Science Specialist
Bob A. Mowrey, Extension Animal Science Specialist
Frank T. Jones, Editor, Extension Poultry Science
Specialist
Matt H. Poore, Extension Animal Science Specialist
Lon W. Whitlow, Extension Animal Science Specialist
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/gaston/
