The Rural Voice, 1979-08, Page 32Advice on Farming
MYCOTOXI NS:
Prevention could be the cure
Canadian livestock producers are being
advised to watch carefully for subtle
changes in the performance of animals
which may be associated with changes in
feeding practices.
The warning comes from two scientists
at Agriculture Canada's Animal Research
Institute, Locks Trenholm and Edward
Farnworth. They say the symptoms, which
range from decreased reproductive capa-
city through poor weight gains to general
unthriftiness, could well result from
naturally -occurring toxins present in corn
and grain at the time of harvesting or in
that stored over the winter.
Approximately 100 fungi which grow
naturally on standing crops or during the
storage of feeds, are known to produce
toxic substances called mycotoxins.
Twenty of the toxins have been associated
with naturally -occurring diseases in man
and domestic animals.
Insect damage, weather conditions,
mechanical damage during harvesting and
plant species involved are key factors
regarding fungal invasion and toxin
formation. Improper storage conditions
may also lead to toxin production.
It is speculated that the effects of
mycotoxins on animal health may be
considerable, espe cially in years of
unusually high rainfall or where drying of
grain after harvesting, and storage facil-
ities are inadequate.
The two Agriculture Canada scientists
issued the caution based on current
knowledge of mycotoxins.
"But we confess that no one has a broad
knowledge of the extent of mycotoxin
problems in Canada," Dr. Trenholm says.
"There is little information on the
incidence of mycotoxins in Canada."
The Animal Research Institute recently
launched a new, two-pronged project to
study the problem and gather more
information.
The first part of the project involves the
development of rapid screening techniques
to identify the mycotoxins.
The second approach is to measure the
effects that realistic dose -levels exert on
livestock. including swine, cattle and
PG. 30 THE RURAL VOICE/AUGUST 1979
poultry.
"Our research is aimed at finding out all
we can about the mycotoxin problem," Dr.
Trenholm says. "At present, we believe
that prevention of toxin formation is the
best way in which problems can be
avoided."
Dr. Trenholm cites the drying of grain
before storage and clean, dry storage
conditions as very important factors in
preventing the growth of mycotoxin -
producing molds. Control of mycotoxin
formation and decontamination procedures
are generally not effective.
"You only need one small patch of damp
grain in a storage bin and there exists the
potential for a serious mycotoxin prob-
lem," the researchers say. "The mold
grows on the grain and in the course of
being moved from the bin for use, may
contaminate the balance with which it
becomes mixed.
Mycotoxins cannot be identified simply
by finding moldy patches on grain or corn.
"Not all mycotoxins are visible on feed
and furthermore the presence of molds on
grain does not mean mycotoxins are
present." Dr. Farnworth says.
The research project should also help the
scientists to determine degrees of toxicity
of the various mycotoxins in different farm
animals.
Program for
sheep producers
Agriculture and Food Minister Bill
Newman has announced some changes to
programs affecting sheep producers.
" As a result of the increasing number of
sheep producers in Ontario, two new
programs will be established to provide
information and consulting services.
In central and western Ontario, part-
time consulting services will be provided
on such practical matters as management
methods, nutrition, predator control and
other areas of improving sheep production.
In northern and eastern Ontario, a
program to promote modern sheep pro-
duction methods will be initiated in
co-operation with local farmers through a
demonstration system. Co-operating farm-
ers and ministry staff will develop
demonstration projects in such areas as
housing, lambing, feeding and predator
control.
These services will be added to the
sheep production advisory service already
available through the sheep specialist and
through various county offices of the
ministry.
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