A substance formed when zearalenone is broken down in the digestive tract of animals. More potent than zearalenone.
Zearalenone is converted to β-zearalenol, in the digestive tract of animals (α-zearalenol is also formed from zearalenone). Less β-zearalenol is formed from zearalenone than α-zearalenol. β-zearalenol has a lower affinity for oestrogen receptors than zearalenone, but is toxic to endometrial cells.
A metabolic disease of cattle seen when the pH of the rumen drops below 5.5. Rumen movement stops and appetite and overall cow production are reduced. Often caused by feeding large amounts of rapidly digestible carbohydrates, such as barley. Acute acidosis can cause death, more common in beef cattle than dairy.
A disease classified as acute has a sudden onset and is severe, it will usually be short lived but can be long lived
A mycotoxin adsorbent is a feed additive capable of binding to mycotoxins in the digestive tract of animals, preventing the absorption of the mycotoxins into the animal’s bloodstream. The adsorbent and the bound mycotoxins leave the animal’s body via the faeces. Also called a binder.
In the presence of oxygen.
Cattle convert aflatoxin B1 to aflatoxin M1, with aflatoxin M1 (also a carcinogen) passing in to milk for human consumption.
Mycotoxins produced by certain Aspergillus moulds, most commonly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. The major forms of aflatoxins are aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1 and aflatoxin G2. Aflatoxin B1 is the most common and most toxic in both animals and humans. It is a carcinogen so out of all the mycotoxins is the most regulated in both animal feedstuffs and human foods. Cattle convert aflatoxin B1 to aflatoxin M1.
In the absence of oxygen.
Typically storage fungi found in warmer countries, however with climate change countries like the UK are seeing an increase in Aspergillus species contamination of crops. Common Aspergillus species include Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus ochraceus and Aspergillus parasiticus, all of which are capable of producing different mycotoxins when stressed.
Mature female poultry that produce fertile eggs for breeding.
Young poultry used as meat for human consumption.
A lymphoid and epithelial organ only found in birds.
A substance capable of causing cancer.
Grasses, such as maize or wheat, that have starchy grains. Harvested for use as human and animal feedstuffs. (Also called grain crop).
A disease that is classified as chronic is persistent/has long lasting effects.
A mycotoxin produced most commonly by Penicillium citrinum but also by some species of Aspergillus. It is a neurotoxin. Also causes an increased water consumption, diarrhoea, decreased body weight, enlarged kidneys in poultry and mottled liver. Most commonly found in maize, wheat and barley.
Known as maize in the UK. (See maize).
A mycotoxin classified as a type B trichothecence produced by certain Fusarium moulds. Causes vomiting and feed refusal in swine, is tolerated to an extent in cattle (if silage mycotoxins are absent) and causes reduced feed intake and immunity in poultry. Can be found in a range of crops, including wheat, maize and barley.
A mycotoxin classified as a type A trichothecence produced by many Fusarium moulds. DAS is largely degraded by cattle with a well functioning rumen but is toxic to poultry, causing upper digestive tract lesions. Can be found in a range of crops.
A bacterium or fungus that lives within infected plants.
Mycotoxins formed by Neotyphodium species, ergovaline and ergovalinine are the most common toxins. Others include ergine, erginine and clavine alkaloids such as argoclavine. These toxins are found in fescue that is infected with Neotyphodium species, however these toxins are less toxic to animals. Neotyphodium species are also capable of producing lolitrem B, which does cause issues to livestock when ingested (see ryegrass staggers).
A disease of animals and humans, caused by the ingestion of rye or cereal grains contaminated with Claviceps purpurea, which produce ergot alkaloids. Cattle are the species most at risk. Symptoms include, ataxia, hypersensitivity, convulsions, gangrene, loss of weight, agalactia, lameness and abortion.
A toxin that causes ‘fescue foot’ in cattle due to its vasconstrictive properties. Produced by various endophytes.
Measure of an animal’s efficiency at converting feed to increased body mass.
The chemical breakdown of a substance, e.g silage, by microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and fungi in the absence of oxygen. Various sugars are broken down by the fermentation process to a variety of end products, usually acids, gases and alcohols. Reaction also produces heat.
A toxic reaction in the body of animals that have ingested tall fescue infected with endophytes that produce the toxin ergovaline. Tall fescue is a major forage grass found in America in central and south-eastern states. In cattle signs of fescue toxicosis include low conception rates, low milk production, reduced weight gain, hyperthermia in the summer.
Fungi that invade the crop while it is still in the field (pre-harvest). These fungi include the Fusarium species and some Aspergillus species. They generally require higher moisture levels than storage fungi.
Feedstuffs given to livestock, usually hay, straw, silage or concentrates.
Plants, other than grain, grown to be fed to livestock.
Mycotoxins that are classified as non-trichothecence mycotoxins, produced by Fusarium moulds. Common fumonisins include fumonisin B1, fumonisin B2 and fumonisin B3, with fumonisin B1 being the most common. A wide range of crops can be contaminated with fumonisins, including maize, barley and wheat.
A non-trichothecence mycotoxin produced by many Fusarium moulds. Alters brain chemistry in pigs and acts synergistically with DON.
Moulds most commonly found contaminating crops in the field (pre-harvest). Fusarium moulds produce a range of different mycotoxins when stressed and are capable of contaminating a range of different crops.
A muscular organ found in the digestive tract of poultry, used to grind feed with ingested grit, in order to aid digestion.
A mycotoxin produced by moulds such as Aspergillus fumigatus. It causes cell death and is a strong immunosuppressant when ingested by animals. If an animal is exposed to the mycotoxin for a long period of time, its toxicity will be accelerated. Cattle with mastitis that are unable to be treated may be the due to ingestion of gliotoxin.
A young pig being fattened for slaughter.
The tubular part of the digestive tract that holds the partially digested contents and where breakdown takes place.
Percentage of fertile eggs that hatch, aim is above 85%.
A young female cow that has not yet given birth to a calf.
A pronounced joint in the hind leg of cattle and horses found between the knee and fetlock. The hock points slightly backwards.
A mycotoxin, classified as a type A trichothecence, produced by various Fusarium moulds and can be found in a wide range of crops.
Long filaments produced by moulds. Hyphae are needed for mould growth, survival and dispersion. They allow the mould to grow from single cells to branched bodies of hyphae (mycelium).
A substance that weakens or inhibits the body’s immune system, allowing pathogens to thrive, potentially causing infection.
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.
Inflammation of the laminae of the hoof, impacting an animal’s mobility. Common in horses and cattle. Commonly caused by ingestion of rich grass in horses and can be caused by a range of different factors in cattle. Reduced mobility in cattle leads to reduced feed intake and consequently reduced body weight and production.
Poultry bred to produce large numbers of eggs used for human consumption.
Type of plant, commonly grown as a crop, which produces its seeds in pods. Can be used for livestock forage or silage. Common legumes used in agriculture include alfalfa, peas and soybean.
A change or abnormality to the tissue of a living organism, most commonly caused by trauma or disease.
A tremorgen produced by Neotyphodium lolii, an endophytic fungus. Causes ryegrass staggers.