Calgary, ALBERTA – Taking steps to mitigate mycotoxins and other contaminants in feed is a top priority post-harvest 2022, as feed mills and livestock farmers seek to get the most value out of every feed dollar, say grain management experts.

“We continue to see very significantly priced commodities,” says Paul Garvey, Canadian Sales Manager with CBS Bio Platforms. “The world is coming off a long period of disruption impacting grain supply, transport and more. It is now facing added energy adversity heading into winter, among other challenges. All of this has combined to raise the floor below the pricing of many feedstuffs.”

As a result, the stakes are much higher to protect feed quality, he says. “We’re hearing across agriculture there’s more onus on making the most out of the feed sources you have, because you can’t rely on getting it from somewhere else, and also to maximize cost efficiency.”

Protecting the integrity of feed sources

This requires making sure the integrity of feed sources is safeguarded and not undermined by contaminants that can reduce quality and negatively impact animal performance. “Every feed source and feed dollar counts even more. We can’t afford to lose feed supply, quality or animal performance due to contaminants.”

Even without the need to ‘batten down the hatches’ in the face of global disruptions and rising costs, there has been increasing awareness in recent years about the pervasiveness of feed quality threats and just how crucial it is to take steps to protect feed, says Dr. Anhao “Tony” Wang, mycotoxins expert with CBS Bio Platforms.

“Virtually all feed ingredients are susceptible to mycotoxin contamination,” says Wang, Scientist & PRU Manager. “We have learned they are a ubiquitous problem, often quietly draining away the full value of feedstuffs by limiting the nutrition and energy available to the animals, and also weakening the animals’ immune systems and increasing disease susceptibility. That’s why we now recommend farmers and feed mills take steps every year to mitigate this issue.”

Harvest analysis reinforces mitigation needs

CBS Bio Platforms via customers, networks and partners has a strong foundation of ongoing sample collection and analysis to monitor grain quality challenges, notes Wang.

This year’s early harvest feed grain samples have once again confirmed substantial risk, with livestock operations and feed mills advised to take steps to safeguard feed quality. “It’s a year when everyone will want to be very diligent in taking the right steps to safeguard the quality of feed and the performance of livestock consuming the feed.”

Common sources of contaminants include pathogens such as Fusarium, other fungi such as ergot and other moisture-related issues such as mold, says Wang.

In addition to broad scale testing programs involving CBS laboratories, the company also offers MycoCheck, a reliable on-farm mycotoxins testing option developed based on studies in partnership with leading research institutions, which is available on request.

Proven solution offers farmers a valuable insurance policy

Among mitigation solutions, CBS offers NutraMix™, a feed enhancer that supports safe, hiqh quality feed as well as animal benefits. NutraMix is available for use with feed supply for both monogastric and ruminant livestock, including pigs, poultry, beef cattle and dairy cattle.

“NutraMix is a great insurance policy to ensure feed quality,” says Wang. “It’s proven over many years of commercial use with a large base of data. It's an excellent fit as part of any grain management program.”

CBS Bio Platforms is an innovation-focused company that researches, develops and manufactures a wide range of bio-based products used in feed, food and industrial applications. More information on CBS FSPs is available atfsp.cbsbioplatforms.com and complete CBS Bio Platforms information is available at www.cbsbioplatforms.com.