Silage quality poses a complex challenge, impacting the nutritional value, safety and effectiveness of feed. Base nutrition is determined by forage type and harvest timing, with further feed value influenced by managing air and microbiology during fermentation, storage and feed out. In fact, effective silage storage is just as vital as ensiling. Damage to the plastic cover – whether standard, vacuum or oxygen barrier – can allow air to enter, changing the silage’s microbiology and fermentation characteristics. This can lead to the production of moulds, mycotoxins and undesirable acids, resulting in greater losses and reduced palatability.
Mycotoxin Influence on Silage Quality
Mycotoxins are detrimental to silage quality because they can contaminate feed, leading to reduced nutritional value, compromised animal health and decreased feed intake.
The Alltech Harvest Analysis, a decade-long global initiative, is a comprehensive step in understanding the complexities of new crop quality and mycotoxin prevalence worldwide. The programme captures trends and enables robust data comparisons across years and regions. This analysis plays a pivotal role in empowering feed and livestock producers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
The Effect of Weather Conditions on Global Harvest
Environmental conditions significantly influence mycotoxin contamination in crops. The most important factors for mould growth, development and mycotoxin contamination are temperature and humidity during crop development.
Recently, Europe has experienced varied weather conditions impacting the harvest. Regions marked in green and dark green indicate areas with heavy rainfall, which may delay harvest. Conversely, areas in orange and red are experiencing hot and dry weather, which favours aflatoxin production in corn.
France and Romania may be affected, as they produce a lot of corn and have experienced high precipitation. This environment is conducive to Fusarium species, which produce mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 and HT-2 toxins, zearalenone (ZEN), fumonisins (FUM), and emerging mycotoxins.
Contrarily, many regions such as southern Hungary are experiencing very hot and dry weather, which is ideal for Aspergillus flavus, a producer of aflatoxins. Similarly, Spain is very hot and dry, and as in previous years, a high incidence and significant levels of aflatoxins are expected.
This year in the U.S., recent observations in the Midwest show promising corn crop conditions with regional variations. From Indianapolis to northern Illinois, the corn is progressing well, with most fields tasselled and ample rainfall. Northern Illinois into Iowa also looks good but with less tasselling and more maturity variation. Iowa and Minnesota show delayed maturity due to earlier wet weather. Stay tuned for further updates on crop conditions and mycotoxin risks as the Harvest Analysis Programme continues.