Swine may have liver damage at feed fumonisin concentrations above 25-50 ppm and cattle develop mild liver lesions at concentrations above 100 ppm. Liver damage in these species is transient and liver function returns to normal when exposure stops. Feed concentrations above 100 ppm in swine can cause acute pulmonary edema. Toxin concentration is highest in broken grain, such as corn screenings. The Aspergillus species molds, generally characterized by greenish yellow coverage of kernels or ears, can produce aflatoxin and ochratoxin under stress conditions.
Aflatoxin is a known carcinogen.
Both cause animal health problems. Common in the Southern US, aflatoxin outbreaks are a 5-10 year event in the Corn Belt. Aflatoxin is a cancer promoter and an immunosuppressant. Effects are possible on poultry and small swine at 20 ppb. Ochratoxin is a relatively uncommon mycotoxin of corn, but has been reported several times in the midwest.