Diarrhea, vomiting, internal hemorrhaging, weight loss and feed refusal can also occur as a result of other Fusarium moulds. Feed Quality Moulds also affect feed quality. Losses in dry matter, energy and vitamins occur whenever moulds are present. A few inches of mould on the outside of bales can greatly lower the amount of dry matter produced. Table 1 shows the losses in dry matter which occur when different amounts of spoilage are present in large round bales.
Moulds reduce the value of a feed regardless of whether mycotoxins are present.
Noticeable mould growth is estimated to reduce feeding value by a minimum of 10 per cent. As mould growth increases, greater loss of nutrients occurs. If a kernel of grain is completely covered with mould, less than five per cent of its original energy is present. Thiamin and vitamin E can also be destroyed by moulds. Some management practices can reduce mould growth.