Mycotoxins in Indiana corn will concern pig producers

316 samples from 70 counties were examined to determine the severity of major ear rot diseases. The toxicology group at the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory performed the analysis.

 

Samples from six counties were found to contain deoxynivalenol (DON), or vomitoxin. Levels ranged from 0.5 – 8 ppm.

 

These levels are of great concern to pig producers. Pigs are more sensitive to DON than ruminant animals and poultry. Signs of DON mycotoxicoses in pigs can include feed refusal, vomiting, diarrhea and reduced feed consumption.

 

A second observation was the high concentrations of fumonisin. Fumonisins are produced by the pathogen causing Fusarium ear rot. This disease is most severe when earworms and other insects damage ears. Samples from eight counties contained fumonisin B1 ranging from 0.7 to 174 ppm.

 

Five of the samples contained greater than 18 ppm. These levels of fumonisin are well above the amounts that can cause leucoencephalomalacia in pigs.