Mycotoxin | Predominant Fungi Species | FDA Action Level (Varies by species/feed) | Common Crops | Symptoms |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aflatoxin | Aspergillus | Feed: 20 ppb Milk: 5 ppb |
Corn, cottonseed, peanuts, cereal grains | Increased somatic cell count (SCC), lethargy, rough hair coat, jaundice, and potential reduction in intake and milk yield |
Fumonisin | Fusarium | Corn/corn byproducts: 30 ppm and < 50% of diet | Corn | Increased SCC, lethargy, reduced intake, and reduced milk production |
Zearalenone | Fusarium | Not applicable | Corn and wheat (can also occur in oats, rice, rye, sorghum, barley) | Decreased fertility, abnormal estrous cycles, swollen vulva, vaginitis, enlarged mammary gland (in heifers), and reduced milk yield |
Ochratoxin A | Aspergillus, Penicillium | Not applicable | Cereal grains | More problems in calves or when fed high grain diets: potential abortions or death |
Deoxynivalenol (DON; Vomitoxin) | Fusarium | Grain/grain byproducts: 5 ppm | Corn, wheat (straw), cereal grains | Diarrhea, reduced intake, and reduced milk yield |
Tricothecenes (T-2 Toxin) | Fusarium | Not applicable | Corn | Diarrhea, reduced intake, reduced milk yield, ataxia, and anorexia |
PR Toxin | Penicillium | Not applicable | Corn (silage) and grass | Reduced milk and fat production, and acidosis-like symptoms |
Patulin | Aspergillus, Penicillium, Byssochlamys | Not applicable | Silage | Tremors, ataxia, paresis, recumbency, and death |
Ergot Alkaloids | Claviceps, Epichloë, Neotyphodium | Not applicable | Fescue grass, sorghum, small grains | Impaired thermoregulation, reduced intake, reduced milk yield, and abortions |
Publication date: Aug. 23, 2021
AG-907
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This publication printed on: Oct. 10, 2024