Mycotoxins have the potential to be devastating for your cow herd, affecting their health and performance. Mold in cattle feed can produce mycotoxins even when invisible to the eye. Read on to learn what mycotoxins are, how to recognize symptoms of toxicity in your cattle, and, most importantly, how to help prevent mycotoxin toxicity from harming your cows.

What Are Mycotoxins in Cattle Feed?

Certain molds (fungi) naturally produce mycotoxins in your cows’ feed, which could significantly harm the health of animals and humans. While ruminants are generally considered less susceptible to fungal infections, they are still at risk from mycotoxins that resist rumen breakdown.

Some of the most common mycotoxins that affect cows are:

  • Aflatoxin
  • Patulin
  • Fumonisins
  • Ochratoxin A
  • Zearalenone
  • Vomitoxin
  • Nivalenol
  • T-2
  • HT-2
  • And many others

Molds can grow in stored silage or even in grass on pasture, leading to mycotoxin consumption. Once ingested, mycotoxins can cause a wide array of health issues, depending on the mycotoxin type. Many mycotoxins can affect cattle health and reduce milk production and quality.

While you can sometimes visibly see molds like Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Fusarium in silage or grass, visual inspection isn’t enough. Mycotoxins can be present enough to cause harm even when the feed looks and smells good. That’s why forage testing is crucial for knowing what your cattle consume.

When Are Mycotoxins a Risk for Dairy Cows?

Mycotoxins have the capability to spread easily. Various types of fungi produce mycotoxins. One fungus may proliferate in hot, humid weather (e.g., Aspergillus), while another may grow in cold, wet conditions (e.g., Fusarium ), according to DairyHerd Magazine.

Mycotoxins can be a threat that can manifest unpredictably. Their combined negative effects can vary, so it’s crucial to remain cautious and alert.

Symptoms of Mycotoxins in Dairy Cows

Signs of mycotoxins in cattle can vary depending on the mycotoxin type, the exposure length, and the consumed amount. Some of the most prominent symptoms and effects of mycotoxins you may notice are:

  • Lameness
  • Ketosis
  • Weight loss
  • Lower milk production
  • Feed refusal
  • Acute mastitis
  • Reduced fertility
  • Affected rumen function
  • Digestion issues
  • Prolonged blood clotting time and nosebleeds
  • Neurologic signs like lethargy, depression, ataxia, or circling
  • Vaccine failure
  • Liver damage
  • Abortion
  • And more

If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend calling your veterinarian right away so they can help pinpoint the cause of the symptoms and work on a treatment plan for your animal(s).

Preventing Mycotoxin Outbreaks

Large consumption of mycotoxins can cause acute toxicity in cattle. However, you are more likely to be dealing with chronic, prolonged consumption over time. So, minimizing mycotoxin in the feed is the best way to avoid mycotoxins in dairy cows.

The steps below may help you reduce the mycotoxins in feed and cattle ingestion:

  • Ensure crop rotation and consider using seeds resistant to fungal diseases to help reduce mold growth.
  • Remove high moisture parts of plants if necessary.
  • Add mold inhibitors and silage inoculants to the silage.
  • Make sure silos are clean prior to storing the silage or crops for feed.
  • Don’t use any forage or feed with visible mold.
  • Follow best practices to prevent excessive heating when ensiling since it can cause significant mold proliferation.
  • Avoid feeding forages from the edge of the pile that didn’t ferment properly.
  • Use a quality mycotoxin binder to help reduce mycotoxin absorption within the animal.
  • Be cautious of crops that have sustained insect damage or other stresses, as these can contribute to mold infestation.
  • Employ physical processes like cleaning, sorting, and dehulling of feedstuffs where appropriate.
  • If your cattle have been consuming feed with significant mycotoxin content, immediately remove the contaminated feed and provide fresh feed free from excessive mycotoxin levels.

Why Quality Feed Matters

Increasing dietary protein, minerals, and vitamins with high-quality feed can help your cattle overcome a mycotoxin challenge. Likewise, keeping your herd on an optimized diet for their life stage and goals will help improve their immunity, health, and production.

Star Blends can partner with your nutritionist to create the most suitable cattle feed for your herd. We can craft feed for your calves, heifers, dry, or lactating cows to address specific health issues, improve milk production and quality, promote optimal growth, and achieve other goals you might have.

Our HACCP-certified experts ensure every animal feed batch produced is of the highest quality and safe for your cattle. HACCP principles include hazard analysis, critical control points, monitoring systems, and other vital strategic steps to limit mycotoxins, pathogens, and other contaminants to safe levels. All of the feed leaving our Wisconsin mills meets stringent quality standards.

Star Blends: Your Source for Custom, High-Quality Animal Feed

If your feed is contaminated with mycotoxins, it has the capability to wreak havoc on your herd. Partner with a trustworthy feed manufacturer like Star Blends to help keep your cattle happy and healthy. We use only the best and safest ingredients to create custom blends for your herd. Get in touch today, and our team will help you get started.