The first of 4 stomachs in cattle. The rumen contains various microbes that breakdown plant based feedstuffs into volatile fatty acids for energy.

Rumen

A mycotoxin produced by certain Penicillum moulds and can be found in silage.

PR Toxin

A mycotoxin classified as a phenylalanine-dihydroisocoumarin produced by various Penicillium moulds (produce OTA in temperature countries) and Aspergillus moulds (produce OTA in tropical countries), especially Penicillium verrucosum and Aspergillus ochraceus. If silage mycotoxins are not present, the rumen is able to break OTA down so it has less of an effect in ruminants than monogastrics. In swine and poultry ochratoxin A causes nephropathies, reduced weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency.

Ochratoxin A

An endophytic fungus that produces lolitrem B, causing ryegrass staggers if ingested by animals.

Neotyphodium lolii

Known as corn in the US. Maize can be harvested as a grain crop or as a whole crop for silage. Warmer climates are typically more suitable for the grain crop, allowing it to ripen. The US and China produce large amounts of maize.

Maize

A condition commonly seen in high producing dairy cows in which mobility is affected. There are a range of different causes that fall under infectious or non-infectious agents. Lameness causes reduced feed intake, causing reduced body weight and production such as a reduced milk yield.

Lameness

A mycotoxin, classified as a type A trichothecence, produced by various Fusarium moulds and can be found in a wide range of crops.

HT-2 Toxin

A muscular organ found in the digestive tract of poultry, used to grind feed with ingested grit, in order to aid digestion.

Gizzard

Measure of an animal’s efficiency at converting feed to increased body mass.

Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)

A bacterium or fungus that lives within infected plants.

Endophyte Find out more