Aflatoxins pose a significant risk to both cow’s health and the quality of milk
Aflatoxins are one of the most harmful mycotoxins for dairy cows and are known for their toxicity on the health and productivity of dairy cows and as contaminants of many foods, including milk and milk-based products. It is adviced to adopt proactive strategies to minimize aflatoxin exposure, including careful feed management, monitoring programs, and the use of mitigation measures. By addressing these risks, farmers can safeguard the well-being of their dairy cows and ensure the production of high-quality, safe milk for consumers.
A mycotoxin risk mitigation programme of a dairy herd requires a holistic approach
A mycotoxin management programme for dairy cows should include:
- Early identification of feed ingredients that are contaminated with mycotoxins of dairy cows
- Reducing growth of moulds that can produce mycotoxins while the crop is on the field or in storage
- Adding silage inoculants or mold inhibitors such as Fyvalet Silage for ruminants when the silage clamp is being filled and spraying mold inhibitors such as Selko TMR on the face of the silage after cutting
- Adding mycotoxin mitigation products for dairy cattle into the TMR at feeding, this can be done by adding the product directly to the TMR or by feeding compound feed with the mycotoxin mitigation product included
