Mycotoxin-contaminated grains are commonly downgraded for use in livestock feed and, while the best strategy for producers is to avoid feeding mycotoxin contaminated grain altogether, this may no longer be possible. Therefore, strategies that allow the use of these grains in livestock feed are necessary. With a lack of effective strategies (i.e., feed additives) available for mitigation of DON, it is important to evaluate alternative strategies, including re-evaluating the recommended level of DON in feed. There is the potential for pigs to adapt to mycotoxins therefore the use of mycotoxin- contaminated grain in the grower-finisher period presents a possible strategy to minimize the impact on growth performance and profitability. Results from this project indicate while there was an initial reduction in performance, pigs seem to be able to adapt to DON intake of > 1 ppm, and < 5 ppm).
Long-term feeding of graded levels of deoxynivalenol in grower-finisher pigs (full article)
