316 samples from 70 counties were examined to determine the severity of major
ear rot diseases. The toxicology group at the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic
Laboratory performed the analysis.
Samples from six counties were found to contain deoxynivalenol (DON), or vomitoxin. Levels ranged from 0.5 - 8
ppm.
These levels are of great concern to pig producers. Pigs are more sensitive
to DON than ruminant animals and poultry. Signs of DON mycotoxicoses in pigs can
include feed refusal, vomiting, diarrhea and reduced feed consumption.
A second observation was the high concentrations of fumonisin. Fumonisins are produced by the pathogen causing
Fusarium ear rot. This disease is most severe when earworms and other insects
damage ears. Samples from eight counties contained fumonisin B1 ranging from 0.7
to 174 ppm.
Five of the samples contained greater than 18 ppm. These levels of
fumonisin are well above the amounts that can cause leucoencephalomalacia in
pigs.
Related links:
Related articles:
- Where we are now with control of mycotoxins
- Mycotoxins in feed: a global challenge
- Mycotoxicosis in gilts: subtle but dramatic
