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BIOMIN Warns of High Levels of Deoxynivalenol in Upcoming European Corn and Wheat Harvest

Getzersdorf, June 8, 2020 – Innovative animal nutrition firm BIOMIN has released the results of statistical analysis revealing that many parts of Europe can expect potentially harmful levels of mycotoxin contamination in the upcoming 2020 corn (maize) and wheat harvest.

One major trend identified in the firm’s first-ever forecast of mycotoxin occurrence is that deoxynivalenol, or vomitoxin, has a high probability to exceed a risk threshold level of 150 parts per billion (ppb) in corn in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, and a similarly high probability to exceed 150 ppb in wheat in Northern Europe.

The forecast is based on a proprietary mycotoxin prediction tool that delivers daily assessments of expected mycotoxin levels in corn and wheat harvests.

The science of mycotoxin prediction

“Our aim with the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Prediction Tool is to provide an assessment of likely mycotoxin occurrence as accurate as your daily weather forecast,” explained Dr Timothy Jenkins, Development Scientist at BIOMIN.

The Mycotoxin Prediction Tool uses sophisticated algorithms that draw upon 15 factors and the extensive proprietary data set compiled through the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey, the longest running and most comprehensive survey of mycotoxin occurrence in animal feed worldwide.

“Weather is the single most important factor in terms of predicting mycotoxin occurrence, and it dominates the reasons for year-to-year fluctuations in mycotoxin patterns we observe in a given region,” stated Dr Timothy Jenkins, Development Scientist at BIOMIN.

The value of prediction

The Mycotoxin Prediction Tool can be useful for feed and animal protein industry professionals, including integrators, nutritionists, crop farmers, livestock growers, raw commodity purchasers and quality assurance & control professionals, by offering an early indication of the risk of mycotoxins in crops and feed.

“Since 2004, customers have been highly appreciative of the service and insights that the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey represents,” noted Ms Ursula Hofstetter, Head of Global Product Management Mycotoxins at BIOMIN.

Leveraging our unmatched data set to help customers be better prepared is a logical extension of our commitment to delivering the best mycotoxin risk management anywhere.

Ursula Hofstetter, Head of Global Product Management Mycotoxins at BIOMIN

“The new Mycotoxin Prediction Tool, along with the BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey and Mycofix®—the most scientifically advanced mycotoxin-deactivating feed additive— all serve to help our clients stay naturally ahead of mycotoxins,” added Ms Hofstetter.

Mycotoxin prediction updates through harvest

Based on the tool, weekly updates on the risk of mycotoxins in European region will be available at https://www.biomin.net/science-hub/mycotoxin-prediction-for-corn-and-wheat-in-europe-2020-harvest. The Mycotoxin Prediction Tool generates predicted risk of fumonisins, aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in corn and deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in wheat.

Increased Risk for Fusarium Toxins in Latin American Maize | Week 3 Mycotoxin Prediction

The corn growing season in Latin America is in full swing. Several growing regions are about to enter or have already entered silking, which is a critical time for estimating the risk of mycotoxin contamination. The current forecast weather foresees an increased risk for all mycotoxins for the south of Brazil and Argentina.

Risk for Fusarium Toxins in European 2021 Maize | Week 42 Mycotoxin Prediction

A dry late September and early October has reduced the overall risk for some regions, yet overall risk remains high. Corn (maize) harvests in Southern European countries have, on average, a 50% risk of containing more than 500 parts per billion (ppb) of fumonisins. The that harvests contain more than 150 ppb deoxynivalenol is 60% and 61% for Central and Eastern European countries, respectively.

European Maize 2021: Extreme weather events during silking increase risk for deoxynivalenol in central Europe.

Results of statistical analysis reveal that many parts of Europe can expect potentially harmful levels of mycotoxin contamination in the upcoming 2021 harvest. Harvests in southern European countries have an average of 46% risk to contain more than 500 ppb fumonisins. The risk for harvests to contain more than 150 ppb deoxynivalenol is 63% and 62%, for central and eastern European countries, respectively.