Mycotoxins can have a very pervasive, yet subclinical effect on both performance and health in ruminants that can easily go unnoticed. Effects of mold Moldy feeds are less palatable and may reduce dry matter intake. This in turn leads to a reduction of nutrient intake, reducing weight gains or milk production. Mycotoxin contamination increases production losses, even when mold is not readily visible.
Molds grow and propagate deriving energy from the feed's protein, fat and carbohydrate.
Dietary fat in particular is reduced in mold infected feeds. Moldy feeds may cause health problems. Feeding moldy feeds increased problems with mycotic abortions and respiratory disease. Feeding cattle moldy feeds is also hazardous to human health - farmers lung may result from breathing in mold spores. Moldy feed and mycotoxins Mold spore counts may underestimate the amount of mold present and be a poor indicator of the potential risk.