Elevated mycotoxin levels highlight growing feed safety risks in North America, Alltech 2025 analysis shows
Preliminary regional data point to a notable rise in fusarium-related mycotoxins across feed crops.
NORTH AMERICA – Elevated levels of the mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2/HT-2 are being detected with increasing frequency in animal feed across the United States, with DON present in more than 40 % of Canadian grain samples, according to initial insights presented during Alltech’s 2025 Global Harvest Broadcast.
The findings were shared January 15 in the live webcast From Field to Feed: 2025 Crop and Mycotoxin Analysis, hosted from Alltech’s headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, and are now available on demand.
Industry experts warn that shifting climate patterns, coupled with changing crop quality and broader mycotoxin profiles, are increasing the complexity and prevalence of contamination risks throughout the feed supply chain.
The broadcast previewed early regional results ahead of full detailed reports scheduled for release in the coming weeks.
Meteorologist Dr. Jan Dutton, CEO of CropProphet, said long-term weather data show that warming temperatures across the US Midwest have extended growing seasons by as much as two weeks over the past four decades, while rainfall is occurring in fewer but more intense events, creating more frequent periods of excess moisture.
“Those conditions increase excess moisture and create an environment where mycotoxins thrive,” Dr. Jan said during the broadcast.
Dr. Alexandros Yiannikouris, research group director at Alltech, emphasised the convergence of climate-driven weather volatility, variable crop quality and the emergence of complex mycotoxin profiles as drivers of the elevated risk.
“This reinforces the importance of using data, advanced analytics and predictive tools to anticipate challenges and support informed decision-making across the feed supply chain,” he said.
Rising occurrence and risk factors
Preliminary regional data point to a notable rise in fusarium-related mycotoxins across feed crops. DON, also known as vomitoxin, is produced by Fusarium species and is associated with reduced feed intake, lower weight gains and reproductive impacts in livestock when present at elevated levels.
In Canada, early 2025 results indicate that DON was detected in more than 40 % of grain samples, with some barley datasets from related industry sources showing detection in as many as 74 % of samples and maximum levels approaching 8 500 ppb.
T-2 and HT-2 toxins, both type A trichothecenes linked to immunosuppression and gastrointestinal distress, are also increasingly detected in North American feed samples.
The presence of multiple mycotoxins in the same sample complicates risk management strategies, as co-occurring toxins can have additive or synergistic effects on animal health and performance.
Across the United States, earlier 2024 Harvest Analysis data showed that nearly all corn silage samples contained two or more mycotoxins, with type B trichothecenes, fumonisins and other fusarium-related toxins widespread in corn and forage.
While the 2025 broadcast offered preliminary results, these historical patterns highlight persistent multifactorial contamination concerns that extend beyond a single growing season.
Industry response and predictive tools
Alltech highlighted progress in predictive modelling and artificial intelligence applications that leverage expanded datasets to better forecast mycotoxin risks.
These tools are intended to support feed producers and livestock operations in adjusting harvest, storage and feed formulation decisions proactively, rather than reacting to contamination events after they occur.
Market dynamics within the feed additive sector reflect this heightened focus on risk mitigation.
Demand for mycotoxin binders and modifiers, including inorganic clays, yeast-derived products and enzyme-based solutions, is expected to grow as producers seek broader-spectrum protection against diverse toxin classes and as regulatory scrutiny on residue accumulation intensifies.
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