Cattle Health: Fungus Among Us

[Guest guest]

Mold can kill a cow but somehow there is no consensus on it harming human

health. Interesting how they are working with binders to remove the toxins

from the digestive system before too much harm is done.

I have been saying for years that agricultural medicine can hold the key to

human health and mold exposure. Check out the medical problems associated

with mold exposure and cattle in this article. Sound familiar?

Mulvey son

Cattle Network: Connecting The Beef Industry Worldwide

Cattle Health: Fungus Among Us

Fungus and molds have such a pervasive presence in the environment that

virtually any feed we offer our cattle will contain at least some low level of

these organisms and their spores. But diets containing high concentrations of

mold, or the by-products produced by some specific species of fungi, can

negatively impact animals several ways:

1. Reductions in dry matter intake. This may simply be due to reduced

palatability, increased dustiness, reduced nutrient quality, or, most likely, a

combination of all three factors.

2. Lowered nutritional quality. If molds are growing on hay or grain, they

are using up some of the available nutrients for their own needs. That means

there will be less energy and protein left for the animals that will

eventually be given the feed. Fat in particular is reduced by mold in feeds.

Various

research reports suggest the quality (i.e. digestibility or energy content)

of moldy feeds is often reduced 5 to 10%.

3. Possible toxic responses. Different fungal species produce different

substances as part of their daily existence. The specific fungus species found

in moldy feed will vary with environmental conditions, especially moisture.

Some will produce toxins that can cause abortions, respiratory problems,

reproductive problems, hemorrhaging, reduced gains or milk production, and even

death.

Toxic metabolites produced by molds are termed mycotoxins. There are

hundreds of different mycotoxins; few are well researched, and many remain to

even

be identified. When an animal consumes high enough levels of mycotoxin(s),

responses may include reduced feed intake, impaired absorption of nutrients from

the feed that is consumed, altered hormone activity, suppressed immune

function, and altered rumen microbial growth. Ruminant animals are less

susceptible to mycotoxins than monogastrics, largely because they have the

ability to

detoxify or transform many of these substances in the rumen. But they are

still susceptible to excessive levels, especially young and high producing

animals.

From a practical standpoint, this is a complicated issue to manage. There

are no easy chemical or NIR tests to measure moldiness, so we typically have to

rely on visual appraisal. But mold in feed doesn't always mean there are

mycotoxins present, and there may be dangerous levels of mycotoxins in feed

without visible signs of mold. Specific tests can be run for some of the

better-known toxins such as aflatoxin, but this will not give any indication of

the

presence of other problems. In grain and grain byproducts, growth of harmful

fungi often occurs in pockets, making it difficult to obtain samples that

fully represent the potential danger. Additionally, animal responses to

mycotoxin

consumption may be minimal at first, and develop so slowly that they may not

be recognized.

Mycotoxins are found more often in grain and grain byproducts than in

forages, but they have been known to cause significant problems in hay and

silage.

It is important to remember that in feeds such as distillers grains, any

toxins that were present in the corn or sorghum will be concentrated 3 to 4

times

in the final byproduct. The organisms responsible for most mycotoxins thrive

at reasonably high moisture levels (i.e., 15%). Cleaning or ammoniating

grains can reduce mycotoxin contamination, but there is no practical method to

detoxify forages.

As with most nutritionally-related problems, prevention is the best course

of action. When feeding home-grown and stored grains, follow management

practices that minimize mold development both during the growing season and

through

harvest into forage. Stored moisture content is most critical, but insect

and disease damage and soil contamination also promote mold development. Avoid

keeping grain for feed that is obviously infected with fungi. Purchase

grains, cottonseed meal and byproducts such as DDG’s only from sources that

actively monitor for mycotoxins. Feed out wet feeds within 7 to 10 days of

delivery.

Follow good ensiling techniques to quickly reduce pH and eliminate oxygen.

When a situation requires feeding of moldy or questionable feeds, consider

the following management practices:

* Clean or ammoniate grains;

* Dilute moldy feeds with better quality feedstuffs;

* Increase overall dietary levels of key nutrients;

* Maintain adequate fiber in the diet (acidic diets may make the

situation worse);

* Direct problem feeds to less-susceptible animals (adults vs. calves;

steers vs. cows; mid-gestation vs. lactation);

* Use appropriate mold inhibitors for concentrate feeds;

* Consider using a binder or adsorbent.

Research has been done with various potential mycotoxin binders for 20 years

or more, with varying results. However, there are no products that have been

officially approved for this use, which limits the information available to

producers on this subject. The goal is to feed a compound that will actually

bind to the toxic substance, and carry it through the digestive system and

out of the animal before it can cause damage. According to a paper published by

scientists at North Carolina State University (Whitlow and Hagler, 2007),

potential absorbents include activated carbon, aluminosilicates, complex

indigestible carbohydrates, and some synthetic polymers. When considering this

as

a management alternative, carefully evaluate the data available on each

specific product under consideration.

If you are planning to attend the NCBA convention next month, plan to come

see us in booth #536!

Source: Dr. Bandyk, Quality Liquid Feeds

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[Guest guest]

Since its a frequent subject of debate, maybe we should figure out a

way to get all this vet info about mycotoxin binders and compile it

somewhere?

[Guest guest]

Interesting article. I think there is more admission that mold causes

problems if it is ingested, but less acknowledgement that inhalation is

a problem, which makes soooo little sense since inhaled substances if

not stopped by lung tissue, to right into the blood.

Re: binders. Could synthetic polymer include CSM?? I would think

complex indigestive carbohydrates would be fiber, but Dr M would say

non-grain source of fiber.

>

Research has been done with various potential mycotoxin binders for 20

years

> or more, with varying results.

According to a paper published by

> scientists at North Carolina State University (Whitlow and Hagler,

2007),

> potential absorbents include activated carbon, aluminosilicates,

complex indigestible carbohydrates, and some synthetic polymers.