POULTRYINDONESIA, Jakarta – The rising risk of mycotoxin contamination throughout 2025 has prompted feed industry players to sharpen their expertise. To address this, Trouw Nutrition hosted a webinar titled “Global Mycotoxin Review 2025: Update and Outlook for 2026” on Thursday, Feb 5.
The event was moderated by Marcella Wiegand Bruss (Manager of Marketing & Communications) and featured two keynote speakers: Dr. Swamy Haladi (Global Category Manager for Risk Management, Mold & Mycotoxin) and Mr. Avinash Bhatt (Technical Specialist from Master Lab). They discussed the evolving prevalence of mycotoxins, advancements in machine-learning-based diagnostics, and field-ready mitigation strategies.
Shifting Trends and Emerging Threats
In his presentation, Dr. Swamy Haladi emphasized that mycotoxin data is now critical for decision-making in the feed industry. He highlighted concerning trends from 2025, specifically the rising prevalence of Zearalenone for the second consecutive year, while Fumonisin levels remain globally high.
“These shifting patterns are likely influenced by a combination of climate change, storage conditions, and raw material trade dynamics,” Dr. Swamy noted. “It is vital to remember that mycotoxin risks don’t just come from corn. Even raw materials used in small inclusions within a feed formula can contribute to the total toxin exposure.”
Dr. Swamy further stressed the importance of data-driven decisions. He recommended rapid testing methods for effective initial screening, followed by LC-MS/MS or HPLC for advanced validation. He also warned participants about “masked” and “emerging” mycotoxins, such as enniatins and beauvericin, which early studies show are highly prevalent in various samples and can impair livestock performance even when primary toxins like DON appear low.
Machine Learning in Diagnostics
Mr. Avinash Bhatt presented the latest technological developments in mycotoxin diagnostic models based on machine learning. This new model captures regional variations, geographical factors, and climatic influences with higher accuracy than traditional statistics.
“Predictions for the first quarter of 2026 suggest that global Aflatoxin concentrations will remain moderate, while Fumonisin is projected to increase. DON also remains a dominant toxin,” Avinash explained. “These technological updates are essential given the highly dynamic nature of the environment.”
Impact on Livestock Health
The webinar also highlighted the physical toll of contamination. Industry players were urged to watch for symptoms that signal a breach in feed safety, including:
-
Increased Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).
-
Decreased Average Daily Gain (ADG).
-
Reproductive disorders.
-
Diarrhea and digestive upsets.
