US: Mycotoxins in poultry feed could rise as a result of rerouting ships

Published Feb 9, 2024

Tridge summary

The animal feed supply chain is facing potential increases in mycotoxin levels due to challenges such as rerouting of shipments and record corn harvests, which extend transit and storage times. In 2023, the most prevalent mycotoxin was Zearalenone (ZEA), found in 78% of contamination cases, largely due to climate change. Other common mycotoxins included T2HT2, fumonisins (FUM), deoxynivalenol (DON), and aflatoxins (AFLA). Avinash Bhat from Masterlab has developed a forecasting model predicting AFLA levels for the first half of 2024, emphasizing the impact of climate change on contamination patterns and the importance of preserving feed from stress for safety.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Challenges facing the animal feed supply chain may cause rises in mycotoxin levels. The rerouting of shipments in the Red Sea and record corn harvests in the US are extending transit and storage times. About 40% of Asia-Europe trade normally goes through the Red Sea area. With shipments being rerouted due to geopolitical attacks, extending shipping times can allow moulds to degrade the nutrients in ingredients and produce mycotoxins. Stockpiling crops for long periods may also challenge quality assurance efforts on the farm. Dr Swamy Haladi, global technical commercial manager for Mycotoxin Risk Management at Selko, said extended exposure to humidity during storage could create favourable conditions for moulds to reproduce. “Some estimates suggest that the rerouting of shipments may extend crop transit time by at least 25%. As shipping costs are soaring (5 times more) and transit times are extended, it is critical that crops be safeguarded and the integrity of animal feed ...

Source: Poultryworld