The report, called the “Cargill World Mycotoxin Report 2022,” provides comprehensive data on the regional prevalence of contaminants in common animal feed ingredients, such as corn, cereal, and oilseeds, and the risks they pose to bovine, poultry, and swine. The report includes over 300,000 mycotoxin analyses from 150 feed plants, on-farm samples, and storage locations, and offers information on the most problematic mycotoxins and their levels of contamination. The goal of the report is to help livestock farmers protect the health of their animals and operations by providing them with trustworthy information on mycotoxin risk.

Although mycotoxins may not show visible symptoms, they can have a significant impact on animal health and performance by weakening the immune system and reducing nutrient absorption and vaccine response. If symptoms do occur, it usually means that the animal has been exposed to high levels of mycotoxins for an extended period, and the producer may need to take costly measures to reverse the damage.

The report highlights some key findings, including:

• In 2022, 75% of the mycotoxin analyses conducted were positive, and contamination was widespread. The more mycotoxins you test for, the more you find, and 84% of samples tested for six mycotoxins were positive for four or more.
• Performance risk rates increased, with 39% of analyses being above the performance risk threshold, representing a 4% increase from 2021.
• The top three mycotoxins of concern are Fumonisin (FUM), Vomitoxin (DON), and Zearalenone (ZEN). ZEN analyses above the performance risk level increased to 51%, while FUM and DON remained elevated at 40% and 62%, respectively.

The report also provides information on contamination trends for different ingredients and regions. Corn had the highest contamination concern, with 75% of analyses being positive for at least one mycotoxin, and 39% being above performance risk thresholds. DON, ZEN, FUM, and T2 toxin were most frequently above performance risk levels in corn analyses. Cereals had an 81% positive rate for at least one mycotoxin, with DON, ZEN, T2 toxin, and Aflatoxin being the most frequently above performance risk levels. Oilseeds had the lowest contamination concern, with 64% of analyses being positive for at least one mycotoxin and 22% being above performance risk thresholds.

The regions with the highest mycotoxin prevalence and risk levels include China, Asia, North America, and Europe. The Middle East and Africa (MEA), Central and South America, and Russia have lower risk, but Russia and MEA have seen an increase in overall risk rates. The report provides more specific information on contamination levels and risk rates for different regions, including Asia, Central and South America, China, North America, Europe, MEA, and Russia.