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Alltech 2023 Harvest Analysis: Mycotoxin Insights and Solutions

Author: Chloe Chisholm, Digital Marketing Specialist, Alltech Mycotoxin Management

Unlocking Agricultural Insights: Alltech 2023 Harvest Analysis Reveals Mycotoxin Trends and Strategic Solutions

Introduction:

The Alltech 2023 Harvest Analysis has brought together experts and data from across Europe, the U.S. and Canada to provide a panoramic view of agricultural trends, challenges and opportunities. This offers invaluable insights into the current state of the agricultural industry, paving the way for informed decision-making and strategic planning.

 

The Alltech Harvest Analysis: Unveiling insights

The Alltech Harvest Analysis, a decade-long initiative, is a comprehensive step in understanding the complexities of new crop quality and mycotoxin prevalence. The program captures trends and enables year-by-year data comparisons across these key grain-growing This robust analysis plays a pivotal role in empowering feed and livestock producers by providing the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.

With collaborators like SGS, Stratford Labs and Masterfeeds, the Alltech Harvest Analysis boasts a diverse pool of internal and external data sources, ensuring a representative snapshot of the global grain trade. This connection extends benefits to feed and livestock producers in regions like Asia, where the quality of imported grains significantly influences overall production.

 

European perspectives:

Europe experienced significant mycotoxin challenges in 2023, particularly in small grains like barley, straw and various forages, including grass and corn silage. Adverse weather conditions contributed to this considerably, with heightened contamination levels in countries across Northern and Northwestern Europe, exacerbated by prolonged periods of rainfall.

 

Key insights from the Alltech 2023 European Harvest Analysis include:

  • On average, samples contained 4.4 mycotoxins.
  • In general, the mycotoxin challenge is lower for corn this year; however, higher pockets of risk have been identified in Southern and Central Europe.
  • Barley shows the highest risk, with an average of 6 mycotoxins per sample.
  • Emerging mycotoxins are the most prevalent mycotoxins.
  • Penicillium mycotoxins dominate the risk for forages, presenting ongoing management issues for dairy producers.

To access further information and insights into the mycotoxin risk in Europe, sign up for the Alltech 2023 European Harvest Analysis report here.

 

Insights from the United States:

From the drought-ridden plains of the Southwest to the rain-soaked fields of the Mississippi Valley, the mycotoxin risk profile varied significantly, reflecting the intricate interplay between climatic conditions and crop quality. Fusarium mycotoxins emerged as a predominant concern in regions plagued by prolonged moisture, while aflatoxins posed a threat in areas grappling with extreme heat and drought. With data-driven analysis, the Alltech team has provided insights to navigate the nuanced challenges of mycotoxin management in North America.

 

Key insights from the Alltech 2023 U.S. Harvest Analysis include:

  • Dry conditions in the West created more fumonisin risk, while the later, rain-affected harvest in the East resulted in higher levels of deoxynivalenol (DON).
  • In general, the mycotoxin challenge in corn grain and corn silage is lower in 2023 than in recent years. However, there are still pockets of higher risk in the Midwest and the South.
  • A surprisingly high risk of aflatoxin B1 was identified in Iowa this year. Another surprising find was Penicilliumpresent in grains, since they are typically a concern in forages.
  • A large quantity of corn was placed into storage this year with a moisture content of 14%. Vigilant monitoring of the corn upon its removal from storage is key, as it may be exposed to heightened risk compared to its initial storage period.

For further information and insights into the mycotoxin risk in the U.S., sign up for the Alltech 2023 U.S. Harvest Analysis report here.

 

Exploring Canadian insights:

Eastern Canada, encompassing Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, faces heightened risks due to increased moisture levels throughout the growing season and autumn. This increase in moisture amplifies the susceptibility of corn silage and corn grain to Fusarium mycotoxins, particularly DON, posing a considerable threat. Additionally, concerning levels of zearalenone, predominantly observed in corn grain, raise concerns for the pig industry, indicating potential significant impacts. In Western Canada, the overall risk levels are lower, though Fusarium mycotoxins still pose a moderate-to-high risk when present. Pigs are particularly vulnerable due to the prevalence of DON and zearalenone.

British Columbia stands out with higher levels of T2-HT2 observed in some corn silage batches. Grass silages, on the other hand, tend to have relatively low mycotoxin risks. Nonetheless, proper storage remains crucial for preserving forage quality. Download a practical guide for proper storage here.

For further information and insights into the mycotoxin risk in Canada, sign up for the Alltech 2023 Canadian Harvest Analysis report here.

 

Key takeaways and future considerations:

As we reflect on the insights unveiled by the Alltech 2023 Harvest Analysis, several key takeaways come to the fore. From the prevalence of emerging mycotoxins to the region-specific nuances in mycotoxin contamination, the analysis has reinforced the multifaceted nature of this pervasive agricultural challenge. Looking ahead, proactive measures such as strategic grain selection, vigilant monitoring of storage conditions, and targeted mycotoxin management strategies will be paramount in safeguarding animal health and ensuring the integrity of the feed supply chain.

 

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Mycotoxin Matters #38 Transcript