118
—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 15,1977
Preventive measures outlined for aflatoxins
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - To date, no federally approved
procedure exists for detoxifying corn or other grain which
has been contaminated by aflatoxms But grain producers
can practice common-sense sanitation and preventive
measures to help minimize the extent of contamination
These include.
-Harvest corn promptly when mature Where drying
equipment is available, this operation can begin when
kernels reach 22 to 25 per cent moisture
-Install filler plates between threshing cylinder bars
and adjust cylinder to lowest speed and widest clearance
that will give adequate shelling Less cracking occurs at
low cylinder speeds; such damage encourages mold
growth and insect damage
-Adjust the combme to maximum cleaning of moist
trash or green matter Consider the use of a rotary screen
gram cleaner at the bin to remove weed and trash and
cracked kernels before corn goes into storage
-Do not hold high-moisture corn in wagons or other
similar holding areas longer than six hours. High
moisture corn awaiting drying should be placed in a
“holding bin” and have air forced through it to keep it
cool
-Regularly clean out corn which collects in auger wells
and dump pits Such corn can be a ready-made source of
mold contamination
-Make sure storage bins are in proper repair to prevent
moisture leaks. Remove all debris in and around storage
areas Use a recommended insecticidal spray before
grain is put into bins.
-Ideally, corn should be dried to 12 per cent moisture for
'absolutely safe storage. But economic considerations
dictate a compromise of 13 or 14 per cent. A 15-per cent
moisture level is even permissable - but should be con
sidered risky
HIGH PRESSURE
WASHING
OF POULTRY HOUSES AND VEAL PENS
BARRY L. HERR
1744 Pioneer Road Lancaster Pa
Phone 717 464 2044
Going Out
Of Business
SALE
ON ALL ITEMS LISTED BELOW
•Wheel Horse »Lawn Boy Lawn Mowers
• Remington Cham Saws ‘Snapper Riding Mowers
•Pioneer Cham Saws »Toro Riding Mowers
:••••••• :
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GERMAN BROS.
SALES & SERVICE
1 MILE NORTH OF TERRE HILL ON ROUTE 897
PHONE (215) 445-6272
HARVESTING
STORAGE
PHICIS
-Corn in bins should be aerated regularly during storage
to prevent sweating when outside temperatures drop. Do
not operate fans, however, during periods of rainfall or
high humiditj
of the A. flavus mold which produces aflatoxins, if they
-Organic acid gram preservatives will prevent the growth
are applied properly while gram is being augered into
bins. However, grams so treated con be used for only
livestock and poultry feed They cannot be used for human
consumption or for seed purposes Also, these acids are
very corrosive to metals, and they should not be used m
metal storage bins unless the metal is amply protected
Poultry producers should consider the following ad
ditional precautions with bulk feed storage facilities:
-Seal hatches on feed and gram storage containers
Caulk the seams of feed bins to eliminate ram water
Remember that feed can still become contaminated, even
if it is manufactured from aflatoxm-free corn.
-Remove caked, dried and moldy feed from feed
handling systems This debris can tend to “seed” all
material passing over it with mold toxins. After removal,
spray all surfaces with a disinfectant solution, such as
commercial household bleach and water in a ratio of T 4
Be sure that the surfaces dry completely before reuse.
iYtr i
"CAREFREE"® STALLS
James way
vanized inside and out for
anchored
cleaning,
We also install cups, stanchions, pens, and venti
lating and manure-handling systems.
AGRI—EQUIP.
RD2, Farmersville, Ephrata, PA
717-354-4271
ROY 0. CHRISTMAN
RDI (Shartlesville) Hamburg, PA 19526
215-562-7218 or 215-488-1904
DEPENDABLE MOTORS
Honey Brook, PA
215-273-3131
HENRY S. LAPP
RDI, Cams, Gap, PA 17527
717-442-8134
"CAREFREE”®
in concrete. Attractive
provides nice appearance,
LANDIS BROTHERS INC.
1305 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA
ERB & HENRY EQUIP., INC. HfIHRV I. TROOP
22-26 Henry Avenue, New Berhnville, PA Rt 1 ° 19330
215-367-2169 215-593-6731
-If some probability of aflatoxm contamination exists in
poultry feed for broilers, increase the level of protein,
energy and vitamins in the ration. Also use a broad
spectrum antibiotic, particularly if any increase in
mortality is noticed.
-Feed suspect feed to birds older than three weeks of
age. Do not feed it to breeder females or laying hens of
any age. Discontinue feeding suspect feed if necropsy
findings indicate internal lesions, or liver damage.
Livestock producers can take some hints from the
procedures outlines above for pultry. Remember that
young stock are more suceptible to aflatoxin poisoning
than older animals. The order of susceptibility among
farm mammals is: young pigs, pregnant sows, calves,
fattening pigs, mature cattle and sheep. Sheep appear to
be the most resistant of all farm animals.
Never give feed to dairy cows which has possible
aflatoxm contamination If the feed is suspect, remove
suckling calves from their mothers immediately. Should
lactating cows accidentally ingest aflatoxin-contammated
feed, keep m mind that the poison will usually disappear
from the milk within one week after such feed is removed
from the ration.
-
stalls are
long
717-393-3906
I. G.’s AG. SALES SWOPE & BASHORE, INC.
Rt 113, Box 200, Silverdale, PA Frystown, Rl, Myerstown PA 17067
215-257-5135 717-933-4138
(Continued on Page 11'9)
hot-dip gal-
life.
Nothing
design simplifies
cow comfort.
M. S. YEARSLEY & SON
114 E. Market St
West Chester, PA 19380
215-696-2990