Mycotoxin prevention and management

Mycotoxin Prevention and Management: Protecting Animals

Mycotoxin management in silage is essential to protect animal health and ensure optimum performance on farms. At TIMAC AGRO, we are committed to helping farmers implement solutions for the prevention, detection and management of mycotoxins, in order to limit their impact on animal health and farm performance.

Mycotoxin prevention strategies

The first steps in protecting animals against mycotoxins start long before the feed. Effective prevention requires good crop management and storage.

  • Harvesting at the right time : Cutting grass at the right vegetative stage reduces the risk of fungal contamination. Harvesting too late increases the likelihood of mold proliferation, as weather conditions can favor their development. Careful monitoring of the weather and the ripening stage of the plants are essential practices for limiting the risk of contamination. 
  • Optimizing storage: Effective packing and covering of silos reduces exposure to air and optimizes the fermentation process. Regular monitoring of silos and the use of quality tarpaulins are also crucial. Well-managed silos reduce oxygenation, thus limiting the proliferation of molds and mycotoxins.
  • Use of preservatives: The addition of silage preservatives helps speed up fermentation and limit the proliferation of mycotoxin-producing molds, thereby reducing risks to animal health. These preservatives also help maintain the nutritional quality of forages, which is essential for a healthy, balanced diet.

Mycotoxin management solutions

To complement prevention strategies, effective mycotoxin management is essential to minimize their impact on animal health. Find out more about solutions to limit the effects of mycotoxins after contamination.

Nutritional additives
Certain mycotoxin adsorbents can be incorporated into animal rations to limit the absorption of toxins by animals and reduce their negative effects. These nutritional solutions also support liver and digestive functions to enhance natural detoxification. The use of specific additives ensures better protection against mycotoxins, while optimizing animal performance.
Feed monitoring
It is important to monitor animal rations to ensure that they do not contain excessively high concentrations of mycotoxins. Tools such as the bouzometer (dung analysis) can be used to detect signs of contamination and digestive inefficiency. Rigorous monitoring of feed intake enables risks to be identified early on, and action taken accordingly.
Boosting the immune system
Optimizing rumen flora improves mycotoxin degradation, helping to limit their absorption by the body and boost the animals' immune defenses. Adding probiotics and prebiotics to feed rations can help maintain a healthy ruminal microbiota, essential for good mycotoxin management.

Mycotoxin management is a major challenge for animal health and performance. Through rigorous prevention and the use of appropriate management solutions, it is possible to limit the risks associated with these toxins and guarantee healthy, sustainable animal production. At TIMAC AGRO, we make a point of providing breeders with the tools and advice they need to meet these challenges.

mycotoxins,silage,animals