Mycotoxins in feed maize: a practical sampling and action plan

1. Assess the origin and history of the lot

Different fungi can produce different toxins, and field and storage conditions influence the risk. University of Minnesota guidance distinguishes several ear rots and their associated toxins. A single unchanging test request for every origin may therefore leave relevant questions unanswered.

Record origin, harvest period, moisture or damage history and the intended animal group. Use that information to agree a suitable analytical panel with the laboratory and nutrition adviser.

Section sources: University of Minnesota Extension — Corn ear rots and mycotoxins

2. Treat sampling as part of the test

Contamination can be uneven within a load. Iowa State guidance on aflatoxin emphasizes sampling and sample preparation. Analytical precision cannot make an unrepresentative sample describe the entire lot reliably.

Ask the laboratory to specify increments, composite sample size, grinding, splitting and transport. Record seal and lot identifiers. Where collection or preservation was questionable, document that limitation alongside the result instead of concealing it.

Section sources: Iowa State University — Aflatoxins in Corn

3. Read a negative result carefully

For the report review, list the toxins tested, units, method and detection or reporting limit. “Not detected” for one toxin using one method is not a result for every toxin. A single-analyte order leaves other analytes unassessed.

Add an open-question column: was the sample representative, was the panel appropriate, and is the acceptance criterion relevant to this species and age? Assign a person to resolve each question rather than leaving the lot in an undefined state.

4. Keep the lot identifiable until release

A practical holding procedure labels questionable material as pending review and keeps it separate from released stock. Preventing contamination and deterioration throughout the feed chain is central to FAO guidance. The technical lead should determine use against the result and applicable requirements.

This article does not prescribe an Iranian legal limit or a dilution percentage. Moving, blending or adding a mitigation product should not replace a documented decision on whether the lot is suitable for its intended use.

Section sources: FAO — Control of feedborne hazards

5. Turn an incident into a process improvement

Keep the delivery record, photographs, sampling method, result, decision and supplier response in one file. Review repeated issues by origin, season and storage location. The useful outcome is not simply rejecting a load: it is improving the purchase specification and sampling plan for the next delivery.