Cropping
Photograph: Radka Borutova
Mold management:
One step forward in successful
mycotoxin management
The quality of wheat and barley is
reductions in production performance
Mold growth and resultant production
being threatened before farmers start
and increases in health problems from
of storage mycotoxins can be
harvesting crops in July due to the
moldy feed are often moderate. For
prevented by keeping the temperature
heavy rains experienced in Europe in
example, a 5% to 10% drop in
and moisture content in silos low whilst
the past month.
performance may be typical with mold
aerating the grain regularly. In case
Some areas of France, the European
infestation, whereas mycotoxin
ideal storage conditions cannot be
Union's largest wheat grower, had as
contamination leads to greater losses
guaranteed, the use of mold inhibitor is
much as 10 inches (25 centimeters) of
in production, even when mold is not
highly recommended. Mold inhibitor
rain in May, which is more than three
readily apparent.
can be used for application in raw
times the normal amount for the
More problems with mycotic abortions
material (whole grain) or finished feed
month. Excess rain, especially close to
and respiratory disorders may result
which is already a mixture of different
harvest time, can reduce the quality of
when a considerable amount of moldy
raw ingredients. NUTRIAD developed
the grain or make crops more
feed is used. This may happen due to a
mold inhibitor with two different
susceptible to fungal diseases that
high content of mold and mold spores
applications; the dry form (MOLD-NIL®
may affect yields.
in the air or in the ingested feed.
Dry) and liquid form (MOLD-NIL ®
Moldy or musty feed does not always
Farmer's lung is a disease, which may
Liquid). These can be used by anyone
contain dangerous mold poisons or
affect humans in an environment
who deals with raw materials or
mycotoxins. However, the presence of
which is heavily infested by molds.
finished feed such as raw material
large quantities of mold may