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“Aflatoxin” refers to the mycotoxins that are produced by some strains of the Aspergillus fungus. The four most common aflatoxins are identified as B1, B2, G1, and G2 They are considered cancer-causing agents. Aflatoxin B1 is the most potent of the group, affecting cattle, poultry, and humans. Field checks for aflatoxin
Aflatoxin contaminated grain may be rejected for use for feed or biofuel production. It is impossible to identify aflatoxin without lab analysis. Scouting fields for Aspergillus ear rot infection can help identify the potential for aflatoxin and help make management decisions.
From dent through to harvest, check at least five to ten locations in a field. Target areas of the field with plants that appear most stressed. Peel back the husks of ten ears at each location. Inspect the ears for the olive-green powdery mold characteristic of Aspergillus ear rot. Schedule the field for an early harvest if more than 10 percent of the ears show signs of Aspergillus ear rot,
If fields are infested with Aspergillus ear rot, notify the insurance adjuster immediately. Insurers usually require pre-harvest inspections or leaving unharvested strips to properly file a claim.
Harvest grain at 20 to 25 percent moisture. Adjust combine settings to ensure minimal kernel damage and maximum cleaning. Damaged kernels are more prone to mold infestation.
If possible, keep grain suspected of contamination separate from uncontaminated grain.
Move grain as quickly as feasible into storage for cooling and aeration. Mold growth increases by as much as 6% on hour in the truck and wet bin at 80° to 90° temperatures. Immediately cool and dry the grain to 16 percent moisture or less.
The following guidelines will help to prevent or reduce the proliferation of A. flavus and reduce the chances for aflatoxin production in storage:
Aflatoxin B1 is rarely, if ever, found in forages. Wholeplant corn silage and haylage are more likely to be contaminated than hays. Aflatoxin B1 concentrations in corn silage are generally low under normal conditions. If aflatoxin develops in the field under severe conditions and is already present in the silage, the ensiling process will not destroy the mycotoxin.
Molds that form during silage or hay storage may contain mycotoxins other than aflatoxin. Prevent problems by removing ensiled or wet feeds from storage just before feeding. Manage feed removal to minimize the amount of exposed surface area and to keep heating and molding to a minimum.
Laboratory analysis can detect the presence of aflatoxin, but sampling is difficult. Aflatoxin contamination can vary widely within a field or a storage facility. For example - in a storage bin, aflatoxin may be found in the clumps of grain held together by the mold growth or may have been mixed throughout the grain mass during transfer.
Keep samples cool, but do not freeze. Ship to the Servi- Tech Laboratory promptly, early in the week, to avoid weekend delays.
Adams, R.S. et. al. Mold and mycotoxin problems in livestock feeding. DAS 93-21. Pennsylvania State Univ. Coop. Ext. Svc. 17 pg. https://extension.psu.edu/mold-and-mycotoxin-problems-inlivestock-feeding accessed 10Aug2022
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Krenzer, E. 1979. Aflatoxins in corn. Crops & Soils. October 1979. pg 1112. Texas Agric. Ext. Svc. 1998.
Texas Drought Management Strategies: Aflatoxins and Dairy Cattle. rev. 01 Aug 1998. http://agnewsarchive.tamu.edu/drought/drghtpak98/drght30.htm l accessed 04Aug2011
Wysong, D. 1981. Aflatoxins: What are they and why do they occur? Crop Protection Clinic Proc., Univ. of Nebraska Coop. Ext. Svc. pg. 119125