Producer > Pig
Q. 3. Sampling your feed
(a) Mycotoxins are difficult to measure
- Many different mycotoxins can be present simultaneously, making analysis difficult and expensive
- Visible mould or spore counts are not definitive
- Sampling of bulk feeds is difficult. Mycotoxins are present in 'hot' spots and are not evenly distributed throughout the feed. Therefore many samples must be taken from a particular batch to get a realistic reading
- Not knowing which mycotoxin(s) to analyse for means having to analyse for all of them. Analysis is only available for a limited number of indicator mycotoxins
- Latest research has identified complex pseudo toxins hidden within the sugars of the diet which are difficult/impossible to routinely analyse for or detect
- Symptoms are usually non-specific, such as lost performance, inconsistent intake & production, higher disease incidence
- These could often be attributed to other causes and mycotoxins overlooked
- Please remember there is no one reliable test for mycotoxins
Mould species coexist; and most can produce more than one mycotoxin. Mycotoxins are synergistic, meaning that combinations have a greater impact than single toxins. As a result, seemingly low levels of individual mycotoxins become important as they exert negative effects on the animal.
