South Dakota Corn, Dairy and Livestock Producers Advised To Test For Possible Aflatoxin Levels

South Dakota Department of Agriculture
News Release

 

For Immediate Release: Sept. 19, 2012
Media Contact: Jamie Crew, 605-773-4073

 

South Dakota Corn, Dairy and Livestock Producers Advised To Test For Possible Aflatoxin Levels

 

PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota corn, dairy and livestock producers are advised to test for aflatoxin levels in their corn, DDGs and silage piles due to this year’s drought when selling, purchasing and feeding.

 

Feed refusal, reduced growth rate and decreased feed efficiency are the predominant signs of chronic aflatoxin poisoning in livestock, according to the South Dakota State University Cooperative Extension Service. High levels of aflatoxin fed to dairy cows can lead to contamination of the milk that is produced.

 

According to the National Corn Growers Association, aflatoxin is most prevalent in corn, cotton, peanuts and tree nuts. Fungus growth can continue in storage under certain environmental conditions. Aflatoxin can be caused by several vectors, but is most commonly related to drought-stressed corn, followed by periods of high humidity.

 

Acceptable levels of aflatoxin in animal feed according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are as follows:

 

< 300 parts per billion (ppb) for corn intended for finishing beef cattle;
< 200 ppb for corn intended for finishing swine of 100 pounds or greater;
< 100 ppb for corn intended for breeding beef cattle, breeding swine, or mature poultry;
< 20 ppb for corn intended for immature animals, dairy animals, animal species, uses not specified above or when the intended use is not known.

 

For specific information on acceptable FDA aflatoxin levels, please visit http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm074703.htm

 

For more information on testing aflatoxin levels, visit http://www.sdstate.edu/ps/plant-clinic/index.cfm or contact the South Dakota State University Diagnostic Clinic at 605-688-5545. Services offered include aflatoxin, fumonisin, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol (DON) screenings.

 

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating more than $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 173,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov/ or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

 

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