Health, nutrition and bioscience expert DSM has unveiled its mycotoxin survey results on 17 February. This covers over 112000 analyses conducted on more than 24,000 samples of animal feed ingredients
collected from 75 countries in 2021. The survey demonstrates the potential risks mycotoxins pose to farm animals worldwide.
Overall, mycotoxin-related threats to animal protein production remain high compared to
last year. Globally, the average risk level was 62%—meaning that nearly two-thirds of
samples had at least one mycotoxin above recommended levels. On a regional basis,
calculated risk levels ranged from a moderate 44% in whole of Europe to a high of 79% in
Asia.
Main regional trends are:
- North American corn (maize) shows slightly increased concentrations of deoxynivalenol and fumonisins while showing the same high prevalence as in 2020.
- Deoxynivalenol levels are the main potential threat in the European cereal harvest; Western and Southern Europe are the most affected areas. The prevalence of T-2 toxin increased in Northern Europe as did the prevalence of aflatoxins in Southern Europe.
- Asia Pacific faces a heightened risk of mycotoxins overall and aflatoxins remain a problem in this region. An increase in the abundance of Ochratoxin A and T-2 toxin has been observed.
- In Latin America, fumonisins are still the most prevalent mycotoxin in corn. While we
observed a slight decrease in concentration levels of fumonisins in South American
corn, deoxynivalenol levels increased. - In Middle East and North Africa Fusarium mycotoxins are highly prevalent.
Deoxynivalenol is a main concern in Sub-Saharan Africa.
About the survey
The annual DSM Mycotoxin Survey (formerly the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey) constitutes the
longest running and most comprehensive data set of fungal metabolite occurrence in animal
feed ingredients. The survey results provide insights on the incidence of the six major
mycotoxins in the agricultural commodities including corn (maize), wheat, soy, barley, rye,
oats, rice, sorghum, millet and their by-products that are used to feed farm animals, notably
poultry, swine, ruminants and aquaculture.
Anneliese Mueller, Product Manager Mycotoxins, DSM Animal Nutrition and Health stated,
“Mycotoxins compromise animal health and gut integrity, increasing the probability of lower
health status, poor performance and inefficient use of resources. Having a clear and accurate
view of feed contaminants enables the industry to take appropriate countermeasures and
improve profitability, animal health, welfare and sustainability.â€
“Risk levels conveyed in the findings indicate the likelihood that farmers confront mycotoxin
contamination in the feed. Looking at the latest results, it would be wise for producers
everywhere to vigilantly monitor raw commodities and feed for mycotoxin contamination,
and to adopt a robust mycotoxin risk management program.â€
More information can be found at www.dsm.com.
