Alltech is proud to continue to partner with the Women in Food & Agriculture (WFA) Mentorship Program.  Applications are now open for new mentors of any gender and for female mentees from across the global food and agriculture sector. Now in its fourth year, the free-to-join program is dedicated to supporting women across the global food and agriculture sector by providing invaluable mentorship opportunities and has proven to be a beacon of support for women seeking guidance, advice and networking opportunities in their careers.

Findings from the WFA survey and ongoing feedback from all levels of the food and agriculture sector consistently suggest that a hurdle to greater success for women in the global agri-food industry is a lack of mentorship opportunities. To tackle this issue, WFA launched its Mentorship Program.

WFA matches applicants based on their preferences, which can include gender of mentor, areas of expertise, language and industry sector, and offers opportunities for women in food and agriculture to develop meaningful industry connections. Since the inception of the program, WFA has received an overwhelming response, with 3,051 applications from individuals seeking mentorship and 1,691 industry professionals offering their mentorship services. This remarkable level of engagement underscores the program's significance in addressing the need for mentorship opportunities within the food and agriculture sector.

To date, the program has facilitated over 562 pairings, connecting mentees with experienced mentors who provide invaluable insights and support. These pairings have spanned various roles and sectors within the industry, ranging from CEOs of agribusinesses to small-scale farmers, academics, and ag-tech professionals.

“Our partnership with the Women in Food & Agriculture mentorship program is an investment not only in the lives of women, but in the future of agriculture as the industry most integral to the nourishment and vitality of our planet,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech.

Elisabeth Mork-Eidem, global chair of WFA, expressed her enthusiasm for the program's continued success, stating, "We are delighted to see the overwhelming response to the WFA Mentorship Program, which underscores the importance of mentorship in empowering women in the food and agriculture industry. With Alltech's ongoing support, we are confident that the program will continue to make a positive impact, fostering diversity and inclusion across the sector."

Orla McAleer, chief culture officer at Alltech, reiterated the company's commitment to the program, stating, “I am excited to reaffirm our support and sponsorship of the WFA Mentorship Program in 2024. We believe in championing the advancement of women in this vital sector and helping to cultivate a more vibrant, equitable and diverse agricultural community. As a mentor and advisor to the program, I understand the value and impact the mentorship connection brings to everyone involved."

Alltech believes that inclusion cultivates creativity, drives innovation and is essential to the company’s purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty^TM. In 2019, Alltech selected Gender Equality as one of the nine United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to which the company committed to advancing.

Applications are now open for the 2024 WFA Mentorship Program, supported by Alltech, to individuals seeking mentorship as well as industry professionals interested in offering their mentorship services. The program welcomes applications from across the global food and agriculture sector, and applicants will be personally matched based on their preferences and professional objectives. For more information and to apply to be a mentor or mentee, visit https://wfa-initiative.com/mentorship-program/.

Dr. Colm Moran has been appointed chief regulatory officer at Alltech, a global leader in agriculture with more than 5,000 team members serving customers in over 120 countries.

Moran has worked with Alltech for more than 20 years, most recently serving as director of European regulatory affairs and as chairman of Alltech’s crisis management team.

“Alltech’s regulatory strategy is moving into new strength under Colm’s leadership,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “This positions Alltech firmly at the leading edge in delivering innovation to our customers.”

Moran has worked in the feed industry for 23 years and has extensive experience in zootechnical studies for registration of feed additives for livestock and poultry species. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from University of Wales, Cardiff, and three master’s degrees in food biotechnology, food regulatory affairs, and brewing and distilling — from University of Strathclyde, University of Ulster/University College Dublin, and Heriott-Wyatt University, respectively. He also has a Ph.D. in fermentation microbiology from University of Plymouth.

Moran has published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles in his subject area. He has received two international patents and has presented at numerous international conferences. He is based in Marseille, France.

Moran serves on the board of directors for the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF).

Over the past 15 years, Alltech has grown its portfolio significantly. From soil health to solutions for sustainable animal production, the company has an unparalleled global offering of technologies and services to support its customers worldwide with efficient, profitable and sustainable agriculture.

To reflect this growth in its customer offering, Alltech has formed a new team, the Technology Group. This team will be responsible for Alltech’s nutritional technologies, services and technical support. Its focus will be on providing customers with the Alltech advantage, drawing upon company’s diverse range of solutions and services to offer customized support.

To lead the Technology Group, Alltech has appointed:

• Nick Adams (UK), commercial director. Adams has worked with Alltech for 24 years, most recently as global director of the Alltech Mycotoxin Management platform.

• Dr. Jules Taylor-Pickard (UK), technical director. Taylor-Pickard has worked with Alltech for 22 years and previously served as global director of the Alltech Gut Health platform.

• Martin Minchin (UK), commercial marketing director. Minchin previously served as global marketing manager of the Alltech Mycotoxin Management platform. He has been with Alltech for nearly seven years.

Other recent Alltech appointments include:

• Steve Elliott (U.S.), global vice president, corporate accounts and pet. Elliott has been with Alltech for more than 29 years in a variety of roles. Most recently, he served as global director of the mineral management division.

• Russell Gilliam (U.S.), global director of business development for pork. Gilliam has worked with Alltech for nearly 24 years. Prior to this role, he was Alltech’s U.S. pork business leader.

• Dr. Daniel Graugnard (U.S.), dairy research director. Graugnard, who has worked with Alltech for more than 12 years, most recently served as monogastric research director.

• Dr. Jose Soto (U.S.), monogastric research director. Soto most recently served as global swine technical manager. He has worked with Alltech for two-and-a-half years.

• Claire Boudwin (U.S.), global product launch marketing manager. Boudwin, who previously served as North American species marketing manager, has worked with Alltech for nearly six years.

• William Wallis (U.S.), Eastern U.S. marketing manager, is now also serving as U.S. poultry marketing manager. Wallis has worked with Alltech for 12 years.

For more information, visit alltech.com.

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] — E. Michael Castle II has been appointed chief operations and financial officer at Alltech.

Castle has been with Alltech for 19 years, most recently serving as chief operating officer and CEO of the Alltech Feed Division. He has deep experience in the business globally, having also served as chief administrative and legal officer, among other roles.

Castle began his career at Alltech as an engineering intern. He went on to earn a Juris Doctor from Washington University St. Louis School of Law and then returned to Alltech.

"Having worked with Alltech for almost two decades, Mike has Alltech DNA through and through. He worked closely with our leadership team and my father on many of the most important deals in our history. Since the passing of Dr. Pearse Lyons in 2018, Mike and I have worked hand in glove to lead the business,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “In all his endeavors, Mike has demonstrated unparalleled dedication, exemplary leadership and a passion for excellence. He is an invaluable asset to Alltech – and a trusted friend and colleague to me. There is no one better prepared — and no one I'd rather work alongside — to lead Alltech into the future.”

Castle is supported in leadership of Alltech’s financial strategy by:

• May Xu, deputy CFO, audit and reporting
• Flora Djojo, chief tax officer
• AnaLucia Medrano, who has been promoted to director of financial planning and analysis (FP&A). Medrano most recently served as finance director of Alltech Crop Science.
• Hemant Gandhi, vice president of finance, global treasury

Alric Blake, former CFO and CEO of Alltech who served as interim CFO over 2023 Q3-Q4, will remain a senior advisor to the business.

“Alltech has an exciting future built on its strong foundation of helping farmers, ranchers and producers nourish the world and nurture the planet,” said Castle. “I am pleased to continue working alongside Dr. Mark Lyons to help Alltech capitalize on opportunities to provide solutions that improve the health of animals and the soil, maximize the value of feed, increase on-farm efficiency and help lower environmental impact.”

[LEXINGTON, Ky.] — This year, U.S. farmers and producers have experienced droughts, high rainfall, and other weather events affecting the corn harvest, making it more critical than ever to analyze mycotoxin risks across the nation. The Alltech 2023 U.S. Harvest Analysis has collected and assessed almost 450  new-crop samples from across the U.S., and the results show regional variation in mycotoxin risk. Samples showed lower risk in the upper Midwest and higher risk in the East. A combination of drought and untimely rains led to much of the risk.   

Mycotoxins are produced by certain species of molds and are a concern for livestock producers, as they can influence feed quality and subsequent animal health and performance. The Alltech U.S. Harvest Analysis, a decade-long initiative, is a comprehensive step in understanding the complexities of new-crop quality, mycotoxin prevalence, and the threat that mycotoxins pose to animals and producers. To determine the most accurate representation of mycotoxin risk across the U.S., samples are collected by Alltech representatives and sent to the Alltech 37^+®laboratory at the company’s headquarters in Kentucky, which can detect up to 54 individual mycotoxins.

The corn silage and corn grain crops for the U.S. in 2023 have been a “moving target” for mycotoxin risk, according to Dr. Max Hawkins, technical support manager with Alltech’s mycotoxin management team.

“Drought in the Southwest and the Western Corn Belt created distinct fumonisin risks in this region, while further eastward, late season rainfall created ideal conditions for Fusarium toxins such as type B trichothecenes to flourish,” he said.

As always, Dr. Hawkins recommends routine monitoring of these ingredients during storage, noting, “Ingredients will rarely be in better condition than when they are harvested.’’

Key insights from the Alltech 2023 U.S. Harvest Analysis include:

•Dry conditions in the West created more fumonisin risk, while the later, rain-affected harvest in the East resulted in higher levels of deoxynivalenol (DON).

•In general, the mycotoxin challenge in corn grain and corn silage is lower in 2023 than in recent years. However, there are still pockets of higher risk in the Midwest and the South.

•A surprisingly high risk of aflatoxin B1 was identified in Iowa this year. Another surprising find was Penicillium present in grains, since they are typically a concern in forages.

•A good amount of corn went into storage at 14% moisture this year. It will be crucial to monitor corn coming out of storage, as it may be at higher risk now than when it was first stored.

Corn

Mycotoxin levels continue to be higher in the East and Midwest U.S., specifically for Fusarium mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON). Earlier harvest conditions and drier conditions in the West helped to create lower risk conditions. However, producers there should be aware of a higher fumonisin risk.

More than 190 new-crop corn grain samples were analyzed this year, and results show an average of 4.4 mycotoxins per sample, with 87% of samples having multiple mycotoxins. Beyond the DON and fumonsin risks already described, another interesting finding was a high level of aflatoxin B1 identified in Iowa. Producers should be vigilant about testing their grains.

Corn silage

Drought early in the growing season negatively affected corn silage in the West this harvest season. The stress of dry conditions followed by moisture allowed certain molds to flourish, particularly Fusarium molds. In the East, the risk was varied, but overall higher. Feed and livestock producers are encouraged to continue to monitor and test silage in storage every 60 to 90 days. This will help inform them of the mycotoxin risk they are facing as the season progresses.

The Alltech 2023 U.S. Harvest Analysis demonstrates that mycotoxins are an ongoing, dynamic issue that livestock producers need to manage. Although testing directly post harvest provides an overview of regional contamination patterns, what happens before the animal receives the feed — including storage conditions post harvest and feeding practices on-farm — can influence what the animal will actually be ingesting in terms of mycotoxins. To best manage this ongoing challenge, producers should consider a routine testing program that can uncover the specific risks. With this information, informed choices can be made on what mitigation strategies are necessary to support the health and performance of the animals. 

To access the complete report, as well as a series of videos that provide further species-specific insights, visit Alltech 2023 U.S. Harvest Analysis. For more information about Alltech Mycotoxin Management solutions, visit knowmycotoxins.com.

More than $3 million earned through 2023 by dairy producers for carbon projects initiated with Agolin in 2021 and 2022

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — Three carbon projects initiated in 2021 and 2022 have issued nearly $3 million in carbon-asset payments to U.S. dairy farmers who used Agolin® Ruminant to create verified emissions reductions.

A verified emissions reduction is a carbon asset that can be used as an offset or within a value chain. It represents 1 tonne of greenhouse gas emissions equivalent that is either avoided or removed from the atmosphere through an intervention that has been independently verified as part of a carbon reduction project.

Agolin Ruminant is a proprietary blend of essential oils that improves milk production and feed efficiency in beef and dairy cattle. In 2018, it became the first feed additive certified by The Carbon Trust for methane reduction in ruminants. Today, Agolin Ruminant is included in the diets of more than 2 million dairy cows worldwide, and leading carbon methodology owners Verra and Gold Standard recognize it in their international climate protection project registries. 

Concord Agriculture Partners has chosen Agolin Ruminant to create a new carbon inset project which guarantees that participating dairy producers will receive an industry-leading 85% of the gross value of the carbon asset.

Carbon inset projects focus on taking steps to avoid emissions, whereas carbon offset projects are designed to reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere to compensate for emissions produced elsewhere. By focusing on the purchase of insets and using global standards, Concord’s project delivers increased market confidence and drives greater value for dairy producers.

Concord continues to work with value chain carbon buyers to ensure that they deliver the greatest value to the farmgate by helping companies throughout the agri-food value chain meet their ESG goals.

Alltech, a global leader in agriculture, acquired a majority interest in Agolin SA in May 2023. Founded in Switzerland in 2006, Agolin has developed and produced plant-based nutrition solutions that have been scientifically proven to improve herd performance, profitability and sustainability.

Agolin, now an Alltech technology, empowers farmers and ranchers to reach their sustainability and profitability goals while also supporting the performance of the cattle in their herds and supply chains. The synergistic use of Alltech and Agolin nutritional technologies leads to benefits such as improved animal welfare, greater feed efficiency and conversion, enhanced milk and meat production, increased profitability, and a reduced environmental footprint, including a boost in nitrogen efficiency.

Learn more at alltech.com/agolin.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] — Alltech presented a $100,000 check on Thursday to GreenHouse17, an advocacy agency and emergency shelter in Central Kentucky committed to ending intimate partner abuse.

The donation was made possible by the success of Alltech’s second annual Make a Difference Golf Scramble and matching funds from the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the philanthropic endeavors of Alltech and the Lyons family.

Alltech and the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation are longtime supporters of GreenHouse17 and its mission to support survivors of intimate partner violence.

“A contribution to GreenHouse17 creates a home for healing and regeneration, as well as the ability to serve thousands of survivors each year through legal advocacy, affordable housing assistance, children’s safe exchange and visitation, and countless other services,” said Deirdre Lyons, Alltech’s co-founder and director of corporate image, design and construction.

For nearly 20 years, GreenHouse17 has offered crisis intervention and stabilization services for those harmed by intimate partner abuse in 17 Kentucky counties. Situated on 40 acres in rural Fayette County, GreenHouse17 provides shelter for about 6,000 people every year. Of these 40 acres, a portion of the land serves as a therapeutic farm, where residents grow produce and flowers — and connect with nature as part of their healing process. Opportunities to help on the farm allow survivors to develop new skills that will assist them in rebuilding their lives.

Through these efforts, a thriving social enterprise has been established in which survivors help grow flowers that are sold in the community and create handcrafted items like soaps, bath salts, candles and lip balms. They sell them online and at pop-up shops and festivals.

GreenHouse17 not only empowers survivors but plays an important role in raising awareness about intimate partner abuse, which affects people from all walks of life. It provides an avenue for survivors to seek help without shame and reminds them “that they are much more than what has happened to them,” said Darlene Thomas, executive director of GreenHouse17.

“We help survivors of domestic violence move from crisis to self-sufficiency, but we can’t do it alone. It must be a community effort,” Thomas said. “Alltech has been tremendous in its support of our program and its growth. We’ve never received a donation close to this amount in nearly 20 years. We are blessed that Alltech is willing to invest in helping vulnerable people.”

“GreenHouse17 saves and transforms lives,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “We are honored to be able to support Darlene and her team in their mission to provide a safe community for abuse survivors to grow strong in body and in mind.  Our partnership goes beyond the funds we can donate but extends to exchanging ideas around future fundraising opportunities and business outlets that help to further their mission, which we profoundly believe in.”

Watch this video to learn more about GreenHouse17.

Carlos Galvan of Weltzien Farms in Arcadia, Wisconsin, is this year’s award recipient

[JUNEAU, Wis.] – Alltech Wisconsin is pleased to present the 2023 Most Valuable Employee (MVE) Award to Carlos Galvan of Weltzien Farms in Arcadia, Wisconsin. This award recognizes the value of a dairy farm employee with an exceptional work ethic who exhibits integrity and who engages in their responsibilities on a dairy farm in the region, which includes Wisconsin, Minnesota and northern Illinois. Nominations are made by a farm manager, dairy owner, farm consultant or nutritionist based on qualities such as perseverance, honesty and integrity. The finalists were honored during the annual Alltech Dairy School on Thursday, Nov. 30, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

“Alltech is proud to honor Carlos as this year’s Most Valuable Employee Award winner for his hard work and dedication to Weltzien Farms for the past 17 years,” said Jorge Delgado, manager of the Alltech Training, Talent Development and Retention Program for Dairy Workers (Alltech T²R Program). “This award is designed to recognize the people behind the cows and their exceptional work ethic and integrity, and Carlos is most deserving of this honor.”

Carlos was nominated by his employer, Collin Weltzien of Weltzien Farms, and has been working on the Weltziens’ family farm for 17 years. He joined the operation as a milker when they made the shift to milking 180 cows three times per day. Carlos still milks the morning shift, and his role has evolved to that of a “jack of all trades,” as he handles many tasks on the farm.

“I cherish the opportunity to work alongside Carlos every day, and it’s because of the quality employee that Carlos is. Our family can go to bed every night with peace of mind knowing that our cows, land and machinery are being treated in the best manner possible,” Collin said. “Thank you for this opportunity to recognize the most important asset on a dairy farm, its people. Nobody deserves it more than Carlos.”

Collin shared in his nomination that Carlos is a dedicated employee and is always in the parlor ready to work when he arrives in the morning. Collin said he is in awe of how fast Carlos can milk cows, and even more impressed with his attention to cleanliness and detail. Carlos follows fresh cow and mastitis protocols and has a keen sense for detecting sick cows and cows in heat. Collin also recognized that Carlos is an expert with the parlor equipment and often manages the cleaning, repair and maintenance projects.  

Carlos’ expertise can also be found outside the parlor. He commonly mixes feed, helps to feed calves, and helps with field work wherever needed, from hauling manure to raking hay, hauling silage, and even running the chopper from time to time. Carlos is also very skilled in the shop. He services most of the tractors and implements and will perform repairs on tractors and machinery, in the freestall barn and in the feed room. Simply put, Carlos can do it all.

The other finalists honored during the Alltech Dairy School included Autumn Wozny from UW– Platteville Pioneer Farm and Pete Poet from Abts Champion Dairy.

“The best employees add value to the dairy by thriving in their roles, maintaining their responsibilities, creating a safe and positive work environment for their coworkers, and speaking highly of their employers, both on and off the farm,” Delgado said. “When dairy farms and their employees develop long-term relationships and celebrate each other’s hard work, everyone involved reaps valuable benefits.”

For more information about the Alltech Wisconsin MVE award, visit this link or contact AlltechWisconsin@alltech.com.

[LEXINGTON, Kentucky] – ‘Tis the season for holiday cheer at the Kentucky Horse Park, where two festive traditions offer up the brightest sights and sounds of the season.

Set against a backdrop of beautiful Christmas décor, Alltech’s 18th annual Celebration of Song features performances of popular Christmas music and traditional carols by the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre and winners of the Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition. The free concert is set for Dec. 10 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. Doors open at 3 p.m.; parking is free.

Nearly 40 singers will perform at the event, accompanied by a professional orchestra, and audience members will be invited to sing along during classic Christmas favorites.

Celebration of Song has been Alltech’s annual holiday gift to the community since 2006. Alltech founder Dr. Pearse Lyons was inspired to share the holiday spirit through song after experiencing a community Christmas festival while traveling in Brazil, said his wife, Deirdre Lyons, Alltech co-founder and director of corporate image, design and construction.

“Every year, Celebration of Song gets more wonderful. It’s a beautiful event that we’ve been proud to sponsor for our community,” Deirdre Lyons said. “We’re excited to celebrate the holidays with our community and with UK Opera Theatre, with whom we partner on several events, including our Vocal Scholarship Competition. This collaboration has enabled more than 190 UK students to pursue their musical ambitions and receive an education in the arts.”

“Christmas is about bringing families together, bringing communities together and celebrating the love and joy of the season,” said Dr. Everett McCorvey, UK Opera Theatre Director. “This is our gift to you.”

Attendees can close out the evening with a drive through the Southern Lights Holiday Festival, a dazzling three-mile display of over a million twinkling lights. This Christmas tradition is celebrating its 30th year at the Kentucky Horse Park. It operates nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31 — excluding Christmas Day.

Tickets for Southern Lights can be purchased online or at the campground. Learn more about Southern Lights at SouthernLightsKY.com.

[DUNBOYNE, Ireland] – Variable weather has once again dominated crop quality and mycotoxin contamination patterns in Europe, with a distinct split between northern and southern regions. The Alltech 2023 European Harvest Analysis has collected and assessed over 1,100 grain and forage samples from more than 20 different countries, and the results show an overall higher-risk mycotoxin year in Europe in 2023. While Europe enjoyed a reprieve this growing season from the extreme drought conditions of the past 2–3 years, rains that fell close to harvest in northern and western Europe caused delays in harvesting that created ideal conditions for mould and mycotoxin development.

Mycotoxins are produced by certain species of moulds and are a concern for livestock producers as they can influence feed quality and subsequent animal health and performance. The Alltech European Harvest Analysis, a decade-long initiative, is a comprehensive step in understanding the complexities of new-crop quality, mycotoxin prevalence and the threat that mycotoxins pose to animals and producers. To determine the most accurate representation of mycotoxin risk across Europe, Alltech has again collaborated with SGS, a global leader in mycotoxin testing and certification. Their expert testing, along with testing by the independently accredited Alltech 37+® laboratory in Ireland, which can detect up to 54 individual mycotoxins, has captured a highly accurate and robust set of new-crop mycotoxin data across 20 countries in Europe.  

‘’In contrast to recent years, it is excessive rain rather than drought that has been the primary driver of mycotoxin risk in Europe,” said Dr. Radka Borutova, European technical support manager with the Alltech Mycotoxin Management team. “The delayed harvest in northern and western regions has created particular problems in small grains and forages across this region, while further south, corn crops have fared much better than last year, although, as we always try to highlight, low risk does not mean no risk.’’

Key insights from the Alltech 2023 European Harvest Analysis include:

• Persistent rains close to harvesting have led to significant Fusarium-related challenges in wheat and barley crops across northern and western Europe.

• Barley shows the highest risk of the small grains, with an average of six mycotoxins per sample.

• In general, the mycotoxin challenge in corn is lower in 2023 than in recent years. However, there are still pockets of higher risk in central and southern Europe.

• The Penicillium risk continues to dominate in forages. In particular, grass silage in the UK and Ireland is heavily contaminated and presents an ongoing management challenge for dairy producers there.

Corn

Aflatoxin challenges arising from drought-stricken corn have dominated the mycotoxin picture in Europe in recent years, so growers were thankful not to suffer the same fate in 2023. However, it was still not a perfect growing season.

More than 700 new-crop corn samples were analysed this year, and results showed aflatoxins were detected in almost 70% of samples from central and southern Europe, with average levels of 6 ppb. However, most of the risk in corn is coming from Fusarium mycotoxins such as zearalenone, deoxynivalenol (DON) and T2-HT2 toxins. Ochratoxin was more prevalent this year than in 2022, with average levels detected of 28 ppb. The overall corn risk is deemed low to moderate when Alltech’s REQ metric is applied.

Wheat and barley

New-crop samples of wheat and barley typically originated in countries across northern and western Europe. Conditions in this region deteriorated badly around mid-June, and from then onwards, unsettled weather caused havoc with harvest dates, resulting in crops standing much longer in the field than they usually would. The combination of wet and humid conditions with a delayed harvest resulted in the ideal conditions for Fusarium moulds to thrive.

This has directly manifested in elevated levels of mycotoxins in these small grains, with barley posing particular problems. Although specific reasons are unidentified, barley is much higher risk than wheat, and contains almost double the number of mycotoxins per sample.

Penicillium mycotoxins are not something we would typically associate with small grains at harvest time, but they have been more commonly detected this year, possibly due to the extremely challenging field conditions. Emerging mycotoxins are the most common groups detected across both ingredients, but the most risk is coming from type B trichothecenes. In barley, average levels of this group were at 922 ppb, with an extraordinary maximum of almost 29,000 ppb detected in one Finnish sample.

Forages

Although the Penicillium challenge has been the dominant talking point with forages over the past few years, it is worth comparing the mycotoxin profiles and primary risk drivers in corn silage and grass silage.

As with most ingredients, emerging mycotoxins are most prominent. However, in corn silage, type B trichothecenes are present in over 95% of samples, with average levels of 1,561 ppb, amplifying the risk. In comparison, grass silage is facing the greatest risk from Penicillium mycotoxins, with average levels of 338 ppb and an occurrence above 62%. Dr. Borutova has noted that when both of these ingredients are included in a total mixed ration (TMR) diet, this can create an even greater risk for dairy or beef animals.

The late harvest in northern and western Europe amplified the challenge in straw that was lying on the ground for a prolonged length of time. The 60 straw samples submitted to the lab this year were, as in recent years, heavily contaminated with emerging mycotoxins and type B trichothecenes. Average levels of type B trichothecenes were almost 1,500 ppb. This is something for livestock producers to be aware of wherever straw is being used either as bedding or as a feed material.

The Alltech 2023 European Harvest Analysis demonstrates that mycotoxins are an ongoing, dynamic issue that livestock producers need to manage. Although testing directly post harvest provides an overview of regional contamination patterns, what happens before the animal receives the feed — including storage conditions post harvest and feeding practices on-farm — can influence what the animal will actually be ingesting in terms of mycotoxins. To best manage this ongoing challenge, producers should consider a routine testing program that can uncover the specific risks. With this information, informed choices can be made on what mitigation strategies are necessary to support the health and performance of the animals. 

To access the complete report, as well as a series of videos that provide further species-specific insights, visit Alltech 2023 European Harvest Analysis. For more information about Alltech Mycotoxin Management solutions, visit knowmycotoxins.com.