Managing Mycotoxins.

Recent information shared by importers indicates an emerging issue on Aflatoxin in maize from Brazil.

Imported maize from Brazil will meet the statuary requirements and legal levels for a raw material, however, formulators need to consider the appropriate inclusion rate of the material in finished feeds for different species and ages of livestock. Livestock performance could be impacted by levels below the legal limit indicated – particularly where a combination other mycotoxins are detected.

The table below show the EU legal maximum levels of Aflatoxin in raw materials and in the finished feed for different species.

To enable safe use of this materials it is important to establish the Aflatoxin level in your current supply of maize. This should be used to calculate the safe inclusion rate of maize in the finished feed. 

Calculation - by dividing the guidance level for compounds for the target species by the level detected in the raw material you can establish the proportion of the diet which can come from that material -  Multiply by 100 to convert this figure into the maximum inclusion %.

For example, -

Where a consignment of maize tests with 15 ug/kg Aflatoxin                                                        

For piglet compound the maximum inclusion rate is  -  5 ÷ 15 = 0.33 X 100 = 33%

This calculation does not make any allowance for other sources of Aflatoxin in the formulation but it will give a useful guide to the risk from this particular material