The 2024 mycotoxin landscape: Insights from North America, Canada and Europe

The Alltech Harvest Analysis is a comprehensive step in understanding the complexities of new-crop quality and mycotoxin prevalence.​

The program captures trends and enables robust data comparisons across years and regions. This analysis empowers feed and livestock producers to make informed decisions.

Most samples globally are tested through Alltech’s independently accredited ‘Alltech 37+’ laboratory network, but the program also includes collaborators like SGS, based in Europe, and Stratford Agri Analysis and Masterfeeds, both based in Canada. These collaborations allow for a diverse pool of internal and external data sources, ensuring a representative snapshot of the global grain trade.

Crop-growing seasons and mycotoxin risks ​

The 2024 growing season has brought unique challenges and opportunities across key agricultural regions, with fluctuating weather patterns and varying crop conditions. The 2024 growing season in Europe saw significant regional variations due to fluctuating weather patterns, which had a notable impact on crop health and mycotoxin development. Northern and Western Europe experienced early relief from drought, but late-season rains delayed harvests and increased the risk of mycotoxin contamination.

In Central and Southeastern Europe, early rains followed by drought-stressed crops further promoted mycotoxin development, while Southern Europe faced elevated temperatures and dry spells. These conditions are reflected in preliminary insights from Alltech’s 2024 Harvest Analysis midway report, which shows an overall moderate-to-high risk of mycotoxin contamination, consistent with trends from previous years.

The most prevalent mycotoxins remain type B trichothecenes, particularly deoxynivalenol, and emerging mycotoxins. Wheat samples showed high contamination levels, with an average of 7.7 mycotoxins per sample; in fact, 99% of samples contained multiple mycotoxins. Barley and corn samples indicated moderate risk on average across Europe, with barley averaging 6.3 mycotoxins per sample.

Straw samples were at high risk, with 5.9 mycotoxins per sample, and grass and corn silages posed a high risk overall despite averaging only 2.9 mycotoxins per sample. Certain regions, including Hungary, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria, reported particularly high levels of aflatoxin B1 in corn, reaching up to 506 parts per billion (ppb).

Impact of drought in US  ​

In the US, this year’s growing season was marked by significant regional weather variability, affecting crop health and mycotoxin contamination. In the Midwest, early-season drought stressed corn crops, though later rains brought some recovery.

Meanwhile, the Great Plains, America’s breadbasket, endured drought and extreme heat, and the South also faced drought conditions, which impacted corn production. These weather challenges are reflected in the recent analysis of corn silage samples, which shows a rise in mycotoxin contamination compared to last year. All tested samples contained two or more mycotoxins, up from 97% the previous year.

The increase is largely attributed to substantial rainfall across the upper Midwest, which created favorable conditions for the growth of Fusarium​ molds, the primary source of harmful mycotoxins, such as type B trichothecenes.

This group of mycotoxins has seen a sharp rise, with an average concentration of 1,836 ppb and a maximum level of 43,717 ppb. Zearalenone, known for its estrogenic effects on livestock, has also increased significantly, with an average concentration of 102 ppb and a peak of 2,134 ppb.

Additionally, emerging mycotoxins are on the rise, with samples averaging 100 ppb and reaching up to 4,300 ppb. The widespread presence of multiple mycotoxins poses a moderate-to-high risk for dairy cows, leading to serious health issues such as reduced milk production, reproductive difficulties and compromised immune function.

Challenges for Canadian farmers ​

Similarly, Canada was also marked by regional weather variability.​ While the prairies were wet and cool to start the year, the second half of the growing season has been fairly dry. Eastern Canada and the Atlantic provinces generally experienced less rainfall than in 2023 but did still have areas with high rainfall during crop growth and with dry conditions closer to harvest.

Wetter conditions this year, as compared to last, appear to have brought greater mycotoxin occurrence and risk as well. Results from a combination of Alltech® RAPIREAD™ and Stratford Agri Analysis testing have revealed a general increase in mycotoxin contamination in crops, compared to 2023.

Across the country, corn silage in particular exhibited high risks, with zearalenone contamination found in almost all samples and a current maximum detected of 1,369 ppb. Deoxynivalenol was also common, further threatening animal performance and health. In British Columbia, results showed a presence of multiple Fusarium​ mycotoxins, including T2-HT2 toxins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and emerging mycotoxins.

These pose serious risks to dairy cattle. Early testing indicates that barley in the prairies may have a greater prevalence of mycotoxins – and at higher concentrations – than in wheat, adding to the challenges faced by Canadian farmers in 2024.

Figure 1: Mycotoxin risk map displaying initial results from the Alltech 2024 Harvest Analysis. The map illustrates Alltech REQ* (risk equivalent quantity) levels by region for sows, gilts and boars, highlighting varying mycotoxin exposure risks across different areas.​​

* REQ is a measure that combines the effects of multiple mycotoxins into one value, indicating the overall risk to animal health, with higher values showing greater risk.

Global harvest broadcast: Mycotoxin risks for livestock producers​

Alltech’s upcoming global harvest broadcast, ‘From Field to Feed: 2024 Crop and Mycotoxin Analysis’, will be streamed live from Alltech headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Eastern on 21 November.

As well as detailing the mycotoxin risk in recently harvested crops, a panel of experts will explore further key insights for managing risks across the feed supply chain. Topics covered will include:

• Global weather updates and their impact on crop outcomes
• Preliminary harvest results from regions across the globe
• Supply chain insights and emerging trends in global trade flows
• Practical advice on how these insights can optimize your decisions for the upcoming feeding season

Following the presentations, a live panel discussion will address any questions.

‘From Field to Feed’ is included in the comprehensive Alltech 2024 Harvest Analysis. Mark your calendar and register​ for the program to access the broadcast.  The broadcast will be recorded and made available following the live session.

Looking ahead to further insights ​

Understanding the risks of mycotoxin contamination across regions is crucial for safeguarding animal health, crop quality, and overall agricultural productivity. The current data and analysis can offer an early insight into the overall risk. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops as the Harvest Analysis program continues in the coming months.

Find out more information on the wider program across all regions, and to access the global harvest broadcast and the full regional reports.