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Johanna Fink-Gremmels of UtrechtUniversity said mycotoxins cause a 25% decrease in genetic potential in dairy cows and an annual economic loss globally of several billion euro.
Natural toxins produced by diverse fungal species, mycotoxins are rising in diversity via both pre- and post-harvest contamination, she said.
Mycotoxin contamination of feeds can t entirely be avoided, said Dr Fink-Gremmels. It is predicted mycotoxins will increase due to climate changes.
Dr Fink-Gremmels said the main problem for dairy cows is multiple mycotoxin contamination in silage.
She said farmers need to observe cow signals such as reduced feed intake, mastitis, impaired liver function, and susceptibility to bacterial and viral diseases, which can all be due to eating mycotoxin contaminated feed.
Alltech specialist Pedro Caramona advises farmers to dry stored grain to 14% moisture or less and focus on storage to prevent mould growth.
He also advised proper packing, covering and the use of a mycotoxin management programme to protect animal health.
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