Increasing the levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and trace minerals such as selenium will give some protection. The Fusarium toxin, Zearalenone, acts like an estrogen hormone causing reproduction failure, abortions, uterus infections, and even mammary gland enlargement in virgin heifers. Bentonite clay products were very effective at internally binding aflatoxin and neutralizing it in the past. Unfortunately, they are not very effective at binding the Fusarium mycotoxins, especially Vomitoxin. Bentonite products also absorb and tie up certain vitamins and trace minerals resulting in deficiencies when fed over 90 days.
Bentonites tie up iodine and selenium which cause iodine-deficient animals.
This deficiency results in slow metabolism, low milk production, and breeding and hoof problems. Mold growth in the field is not the whole problem. These molds continue to produce toxins during storage if harvesting practices and storage conditions are inadequate. When mold growth during feed storage is observed, attention should be devoted to discarding the moldy feed and preventing the reoccurrence in the future. And, the Nutri-Save products contain some mold inhibitors.