The Farming Express The Farming Express Jan iss4 | Page 36

Analysis Confirms Multiple Mycotoxin
Threat to UK Livestock
[Stamford, United Kingdom] –
Livestock in the UK are now facing a
multiple mycotoxin challenge in the
feeds they consume and farmers must
respond by taking a more holistic,
risk assessment-based approach to
managing the contamination threat.
That’s according to global animal
health and nutrition specialist Alltech,
who is able to base its latest mycotoxin
management advice on a detailed
analysis of more than 5,900 livestock
feed samples tested worldwide since
2012.
“The recent results from our advanced
37+™ analysis programme confirm
that the spectrum of mycotoxins
naturally contaminating common feed
commodities is exceedingly broad –
whatever continent you are farming
on,” said Lauren Dimmack from
Alltech UK
“On average seven different mycotoxins
contaminate each feed sample with
up to 20 different mycotoxins being
detected in some common livestock
feeds. Only 34 of the 5949 feed
samples tested over the last three
years contained
no detectable
mycotoxins.”
Number of
detectable
mycotoxins in
livestock feed
samples (20122014: n=5949)
The data reveal that
the most prevalent
feed mycotoxins
worldwide are
fumonisins, Type
B trichothecenes
and fusaric acid,
but tricothecenes
A, ergot alkaloids
and significant
others – such as
Aspergillus and
Penicillium toxins
found in stored
feed – account for
30 percent of the
mycotoxins found.
Aflatoxins tend
to be a threat in
warmer areas of the
world, or in regions
feeding significant

levels of grain that have been grown in
warmer climates.
“Climate change and feed storage
practices here in the UK are starting
to influence the range of moulds
occurring in farm feed stocks,” said Ms
Dimmack. “And with traditional tilling
and crop rotation practices diminishing
too, mould contamination is persisting
year-on-year, making the multiple
mycotoxin threat very real here in the
UK. We are seeing more and more
cases every year.
“2014 was the warmest year on record
in the UK and the feeding of higher
dry matter grass and maize silages is
certainly another contributing factor
to this rise in cases. Mycotoxins are
products of mould metabolism, so
anywhere that moulds can grow is a
potential source of a problem. It is
the simultaneous presence of various

LAMMA launch for new
Wessex machinery

LAMMA 2015 sees the introduction
of several new machines from Wessex
International. Breaking new ground
for councils and farms are the Wessex
tractor mounted hedge cutters with
a 190º to 235º flail head angle and
115º left to right high performance
hydraulic arm system. They feature an
overlapping spiral rotor with two spiral
rows, replaceable skids and cable or
electro hydraulic in-cab controls. In two
versions these are ideal for covering
400 to 500 hours a year.
There are three new models of
agricultural verge mowers in various
working widths from 1.6m to 2.3m,
featuring 50º to 90º cutting, ideal
for verges and hedges. These is the
choice of central and offset mowing
with a hydraulic arm and side shift, no
mycotoxins that increases the potential chains or holders for transport mode,
and a floating frame to follow ground
toxicity to livestock.”
contours. With a six row spiral rotor
Further advice on the contamination
you can choose hammer or Y pattern
threat presented by mycotoxins is
flails and there’s an adjustable rear
available from Alltech on 01780
roller.
764512.
The new range of Wessex Batwing
mower includes models from 4.8m to
8m working width and floating wings
with a plus or minus 15º. Overlapping
blades optimise the shredding behind

the tractor wheels and there are baffles
beneath the deck for even grass
distribution and anti-scalp discs to
limit scalping. The gear boxes have
slip clutch protection and there is a rear
deflector with chain curtain to avoid
rear projections. For transport the whole
unit folds to below 2.5m at ninety
degrees and the mower has hydro
pneumatic suspension together with
road legal lighting and warning signs.
PTO driven with hydraulic lift, the unit
has easy adjustable cutting height and
is ideal for rough cutting, stubble and
rape.
New flail mowers feature in 2.5m and
2.8m widths with large hammer flails
and front or rear mounting. Side skis
are removable, there is a double wall
frame, a shredding blade and a floating
linkage to follow ground contours.
These mowers have an integrated
gearbox overrun, offer easy cutting
height and are suitable for Cat 1 and
Cat 2 linkage
The Wessex display also includes the
Scrubmaster rotary slasher, Hustler
Bale Feeders, SweepEx push brooms
and the Wessex logsplitter. LAMMA
stand no. R67. Wessex International
01264 345870 www.wessexintl.com