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25.9.19
Smart vs Average
The difference between truly smart thinkers (e.g. super billionaires) and average thinkers is that, for average thinkers, the process of using models is unconscious and reactive. For smart thinkers, it is conscious and proactive.
22.1.18
Do Not Feed Horses Moldy Hay
Table 1. Feeding Risksa at Various Mold Spore
Counts
|
|
Mold Spore count per gram
|
Feeding Risk and Cautions
|
Under 500,000
|
Relatively low Risk
|
½ to 1 million
|
Relatively Safe
|
1 to 2 million
|
Feed with Caution
|
2 to 3 million
|
Closely observe animals and performance
|
3 to 5 million
|
Dilute with other feeds
|
Over 5 million
|
Discontinue feeding
|
a Risks refer primarily to effect of mold per se without
regard to possible mycotoxin content. Dust may also reduce feed consumption.
Data
from Richard S. Adams, Kenneth B. Kephart, Virginia A. Ishler, Lawrence J.
Hutchinson, and Gregory W. Roth. 1993. Mold and mycotoxin problems in
livestock feeding. The Pennsylvania State University.
|
Sometimes mold spores
are counted on moldy feeds to obtain an indication of the extent of molding and
relative risks in feeding them. Table 1 contains
classification of risks at various mold spore counts. While most molds do not
produce mycotoxins, the presence of mold indicates the possibility of mycotoxin
presence and animals being fed moldy hay should be watched carefully for
mycotoxin symptoms.
Mycotoxins effects on animals:
1.
Intake reduction or feed
refusal;
2.
Reduced nutrient
absorption and impaired metabolism, including altered digestion and microbial
growth, diarrhea, intestinal irritation, reduced production, lower fertility,
abortions, lethargy, and increased morbidity;
3.
Alterations in the
endocrine and exocrine systems;
4.
Suppression of the
immune system which predisposes horses to many diseases. A suppressed immune
system may also cause lack of response to medications and failure of vaccine
programs;
5.
Cellular death causing
organ damage.
If you have mold in hay,
watch for the symptoms mentioned above. If hay is dusty, take care in feeding
to sensitive animals and those, especially, in areas with poor ventilation. If
hay is moldy, the recommendation is to not feed it to horses at all. If
symptoms of mycotoxin poisoning are observed (which can occur from mold not
visible), check with a nutritionist to make sure the ration is properly
balanced and with a veterinarian to eliminate other disease/health problems.
Quick test kits (ELISA kits) are available to determine presence of a limited
number mycotoxins but they can give false positives. Some forage testing
laboratories will provide other mycotoxin tests. Often, the best strategy is to
remove a suspected mycotoxin-contaminated feedstuff from the diet and see if
symptoms disappear. If mycotoxins are present, the feedstuff can often be fed
at a diluted rate and/or with approved feed additives.
In summary:
§ Do not feed moldy hay to horses.
§ Most moldy hay problems are due to mold spores which can produce
respiratory disease in horses.
§ Many of the commonly diagnosed mycotoxins from molds are produced
in the field when harvest is delayed.
§ If a mycotoxin problem is suspected, a comprehensive review of
animal nutrition and health is essential – i.e. problems blamed on mycotoxins
may be other disorders or nutritional issues. Diagnosing a mycotoxin problem is
difficult and often involves the elimination of other possible factors.
§ The physical dust problem associated with moldy forage can be
reduced by feeding in a well ventilated area, mixing with a high moisture feed
or wetting the hay, but these will not reduce mycotoxins if present.
5.2.17
31.10.14
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