Grains that are contaminated with mycotoxins are often downgraded for use in livestock feed. The incidence of contaminated grain is increasing, so avoiding contamination continues to become more difficult. Strategies to reduce or eliminate mycotoxins have been proposed with many that deactivate the mycotoxin through binding and are used as non-nutrient additives. Current feed additives in general are not very effective in mitigating the effects of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). Grower-finisher pigs may have the potential to adapt to mycotoxins. Long-term DON exposure indicates that immediately after exposure, growth performance, feed intake and feed efficiency decreased but had recovered by the fourth week when fed 3 ppm DON or the fifth week for 5 ppm DON. It may be possible to feed higher levels of DON than currently recommended.
Long-Term Feeding of Graded Levels of Deoxynivalenol in Finisher Pigs (full article)
