2024-07-09
Use of Mycotoxin-ContaminatedFeed for Animals
Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals naturally produced by fungi that grow on plants or grains used as feed. Mycotoxins can produce adverse health effects when animals ingest contaminated feed. The adverse health effects produced differ because mycotoxins differ.Mycotoxin production depends upon favorable growing conditions for the mycotoxin-producing fungi, which may occur before or after harvest. Before harvest, growing conditions that stress plants, such as drought or insect damage, increase the possibility of mycotoxin production. After harvest, high moisture content, kernel damage, or poor storage conditions increase the possibility of mycotoxin production.