25 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | December 2024 size and are exposed to a higher ratio based on feed intake. “That’s assuming the hogs are eating the feed at all,” points out Wideman, reminding hog farmers that the animals have to ingest contaminated feed to be exposed to mycotoxins. “Most hogs will stop eating contaminated feed before resulting health problems get too serious,” says Wideman. “The taste and smell of the toxins in the feed typically turn hogs off the feed.” Exposure to sows can also be serious, and can result in reproduction challenges, especially if females are exposed to ZER that, in high concentrations, can cause lower farrowing rates and pelvic organ prolapses. A common sign of ZER in feed can be swelling and redness of vulvas in gilts. High mycotoxin levels in nursery pigs can increase vice behaviour, like tail and ear biting. The most common symptom in all animals, especially finisher hogs, is reduced appetite or feed refusal that ultimately leads to slower growth. “The lack of feed intake in finishing hogs caused by mycotoxin levels is the biggest production and profit limiting factor,” explains Wideman. Reducing exposure The good news is that hog farmers are typically aware if mycotoxins are a concern based on grain toxin levels at harvest. Wideman uses the 2018 harvest year as an example, saying the high levels of DON that were consistent across much of Ontario grain corn resulted in a chronic low dose of DON in feed throughout the following year, causing health and production challenges for hog farmers. “Farmers knew what the grain quality was like, and we all did our best to try to mitigate the effects of the toxins as best we could,” he says. Taking proactive measures is the best approach to managing mycotoxins. Testing for toxins in grain and complete feed rations can help determine the type of toxin or rule out feed toxins as a cause of health symptoms. Wideman reminds farmers that toxins aren’t evenly distributed, so be sure to collect samples from multiple areas from trucks or grain bins. Distiller's dried grains (DDG) are a common ingredient in hog rations, providing a high-fibre and lower-cost energy feed. But Wideman reminds farmers if toxins are present, they will be concentrated in DDGs because DDGs have the uncontaminated inner starches removed but still contain all of the contaminated seed coat. He recommends reducing or eliminating DDGs in feed rations altogether if mycotoxins are confirmed as the simplest way to address the issue. If mycotoxin levels are too high, Capozzalo recommends diluting contaminated grain with clean ingredients to reduce toxin levels. Another approach is to add a toxin binder or feed additive solution that can mitigate the impact of mycotoxins present. Capozzalo reminds farmers that, while toxin binders are a good option, they only protect animals from toxins if the feed is ingested. “Toxin binders will mitigate the toxin risk in the feed, but animals may still refuse to eat the feed,” she explains. If mycotoxins are suspected, Capozzalo suggests farmers engage their entire animal health team and take a collaborative approach to finding a solution. “Feed and ingredient testing is often the first action farmers take when reduced animal appetites or health and production challenges are observed. Work with everyone on your team to rule out problems and find the best solution for the health of your herd.” For more information on potentially harmful levels of mycotoxins for hogs, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency: inspection.canada.ca/en/ animal-health/livestock-feeds/regulatory-guidance/rg-8. BP SWINE HEALTH ONTARIO GOLDEN LAMPSHADE 110V OR 220V CORDLESS TAGGER KIT INJECT HDN D3 IDEAL DETECTABLE NEEDLESS CIMA SCALE FOR PIG IN MOVEMENT SV2 MAXX TRACTOR FOR DEAD ANIMAL AND MORE 110V or 220V SWINE HEALTH ONTARIO Swine Health Ontario is a leadership team focused on improving and coordinating the industry’s ability to prevent, prepare for and respond to serious swine health threats in the province.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc0MDI3