Mycotoxins Effects of Mycotoxins on the Health and Productivity of Beef Cattle Aflatoxin and other mycotoxins can have considerable effects on beef cattle although the problems are usually less critical than for swine and poultry. Consumption of feeds highly contaminated with aflatoxin may reduce growth rate and increase the amount of feed required per pound of gain.
Calves are generally more sensitive to feed contamination than adult cattle.
In affected calves, some cases have revealed severe rectal straining and a prolapsed rectum. Lactating cows show a significant reduction in milk yield. Research has shown that high levels of aflatoxin can also cause liver damage in adult cattle. Feeding a high level of aflatoxin may also depress immune function, resulting in disease outbreaks. Based on the feeds available, those contaminated with aflatoxin should be fed at the lowest level possible and for the shortest period of time practical.