Mycotoxin Risk Management Programme
Mycotoxins produced by moulds are a growing problem in feed production. Trouw Nutrition’s integrated risk management programme enables feed producers to make data-based decisions and use mycotoxin control solutions more precisely to address this issue.
This programme is proven to reduce overall mycotoxin risk by a 3D approach: Risk identification, quality control and application of solutions.
Global Mycotoxin Review
Identifying the risks
To help identify the risk of mycotoxins in feed on the farm, Trouw Nutrition offers Mycomaster, a lateral-flow smart device that provides a reliable quantitative reading of the contamination levels in feed materials and compound feed. It enables rapid on-site, cost-effective and user-friendly analysis of six different mycotoxins: Zearalenone, Deoxynivalenol, Aflatoxins, Fumonisins, Ochratoxin and T2-HT2. This easy-to-use tool gives results within 15-30 minutes, which means that feed producers can analyse mycotoxins themselves. It can also be connected to Trouw Nutrition's global data exchange system.
Ensuring proper quality control
Since mycotoxins are produced by moulds, it is important that raw materials and feed are stored properly at feed mill or farm level. Quality control is key: new materials should be tested upon arrival to detect contamination levels and even reject raw materials if mycotoxin levels are exceeding guidance values.
Proper hygiene measures are also crucial on the farm to prevent mould and mycotoxin development at a later stage. For example, regular cleaning of feed troughs will prevent residue feed from getting mouldy. Pay special attention to silage, which can be prone to mould growth due to the favourable conditions during storage.
Finally, animal performance should be monitored closely, to detect any symptoms of increased mycotoxin levels.
Constant exposure to mycotoxins may lead to chronic toxicity and economic losses. A comprehensive mycotoxin risk management programme should be in place to prevent and reduce such economic losses.
Powerful solutions
Once raw material or feed quality have been assessed and the mycotoxin levels identified, you may need to take actions to prevent mycotoxins from affecting animal health and performance.
Trouw Nutrition’s TOXO products provide a complete solution against a broad spectrum of mycotoxins, combining four main modes of actions, designed to support animal health and performance during mycotoxin exposure.
- Effective absorption ability through smectite-based bentonite clays has been proven by numerous in vivo and in vitro validation studies. These ingredients do not bind to other valuable nutrients in feed.
- Support for gut integrity through specific glucose biopolymers, reinforcing enterocyte tight junction protein complexes, which are damaged by inflammation during mycotoxin exposure.
- Immune system modulation through highly purified Beta glucans, which act as immune modulating agents with proven in vivo and in vivo efficacy.
- Anti-oxidative support through specific antioxidants and vitamins that promote the metabolism of mycotoxins in the liver.