There have been reports of increasing incidence of Mycotoxins in dairy cow silage in Northern Ireland. In some extreme cases this has led to antibiotic failures of milk tanks. Negative effects have also been seen in cow health, fertility and production efficiency. At present there is a lack of independent evidence as to the extent and causes of mycotoxin contamination of silages.
There are a number of theories as to what might be behind the sudden rise in mycotoxins in recent years:
- LESSE Slurry Spreading (in particular band and trailing shoe spreading)
- Lighter multi-cut silage with shorter cutting interval
- Increased use of tedding and raking equipment (which may not be set correctly)
- Climate change – wetter and warmer summers
Queen’s University have a very advanced mycotoxin laboratory through their work with Food Fortress. As part of our proposed project we have asked interested Beacon and GrassCheck farmers to submit detailed information on their silage making, including:
- Fertiliser and slurry applications (including slurry application method)
- Timings of cutting, tedding, raking, harvesting etc
- Harvesting methodology
- Ground conditions & weather
- Additives used
- Silo Management
- Post Harvesting stubble assessment (incl. photos)
From this information we selected 13 farmers to collect silage samples over the winter from different silage cuts. Taking samples from the silo pit face, cored samples and feed passage samples. These have been analysed by Queen’s in their mycotoxin laboratory.