Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that pose a significant threat to animal health and productivity and are found in a variety of feedstuffs, including cereal grains, grain byproducts, harvested forages and pasture grasses.

Last fall was particularly difficult for forage harvesting and post-harvest management. Weather impacts have created major problems for forage management; among these challenges, mycotoxins can be a costly and sometimes hidden risk.

It is a moving target that changes. Not only does the presence of mycotoxins change year by year due to field conditions, plant stress, moisture or drought, the conditions within a bunker or forage bag can be different in different locations.