A36-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 11,2003 Penn State Cooperative Extension Capitol Region Dairy Team MYCOTOXINS: SILENT THIEVES Dr. Arien Mills Capitol Region Extension Veterinarian Lebanon As we start a new feeding sea son each year, I enjoy asking pro ducers what changes or response they have noticed to the new year’s feed. One factor of the new feeds which is not readily noticeable may be the levels of mycotoxins. Problems related to high myco toxin levels are usually not so drastic as to be quickly noticed, with most toxic reactions appear ing as poor weight gain, repro duction problems, reduced feed intake, and reduced milk produc tion. Some other symptoms which have been reported to be related to mycotoxin levels include high er than normal incidence of met abolic diseases such as ketosis, DA’s retained placenta, intermit tent diarrhea, and pregnant cows displaying heats. I have had several calls asking if mycotoxin problems are in creasing. To answer this, remem ber first that mycotoxins are dose related. A small amount may cause no concern, with problems only becoming evident at higher amounts. In the last 25 years or so, we have almost doubled the intake of the dairy cow while the size of the cow has stayed about the same. This results in a much higher dose of mycotoxin per pound of animal, even if feed lev els have stayed the same. Higher intake of toxins coupled with the increased stress of higher milk production could be blamed for an apparent increase in mycotox in problems. Some of the primary toxin pro ducing fungi found in feed in clude Fusarium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. Several toxins of concern are produced by Fusari um and include vomitoxin (DON), fumonisin, Zearalenone, and T-2. Actually, there may be hundreds of toxins produced but these are toxins which have been identified and are routinely tested for. All fungi have three critical en vironmental requirements to grow. These are 1) temperatures above freezing, 2) moisture above 20 percent, and 3) oxygen. Limit ing any one of these three re quirements will reduce or prevent the growth of fungi, hence the formation of toxins. Limiting temperature and moisture may be difficult, so limiting oxygen in ensiled feeds is key. Oxygen is like a light switch, turning toxin production on and off during storage. Much of the toxin may be formed in feeds before harvest. The longer com is allowed to stand in the field after maturity, the greater the likelihood of toxin development. In the case of com silage, corn harvested after frost is at even greater risk of toxin contamination. Remember that the level of toxins is usually greater in the cob than in the ker- Dr. Arlen Mills nel and levels are not decreased by ensilement. Just as you would not eat moldy food, a good rule to follow is to not feed moldy hay, haylage, or corn to your animals. There is no way to distinguish between toxic and nontoxic fungi by sight. However, the absence of visible mold does not guarantee that a feed is safe. Dangerous levels of mycotoxins can accumulate earlier during growth of the crop and often will not be visible. Once mycotoxins are present in feeds, there are no practical means of decontamination. It may be diluted out with clean feed to an acceptable level or one of several binders may be tried. If the change is successful, in creased feed intake and milk pro duction are usually evident with in a matter of days. I have also seen situations where one absorb ent did not work but another did the job. Review the following check list of practices that may assist in preventing mycotoxin problems: • Purchase com and grain va rieties resistant to disease and in sects. • Harvest com and haylage at the recommended maturity and moisture levels for your storage system. • Do not let corn stand in the field after maturity or a killing frost. • Be sure chopper knives are sharp and cutting at the correct length to pack properly. • Harvest crops as quickly as possible, pack well to exclude oxygen, and cover or seal. • Since toxins are water-solu ble, do not allow rain to wash through upper layers of spoiled feed. • Discard obviously spoiled feed or layers of feed. • Clean out leftover feed from feed bunks before adding more feed. • Match the rate of silage re moval from the silo face with the size of the herd. This is 4 to 6 inches for bunker silos and 3 to 4 inches for upright silos. With your veterinarian and nutritionist, consider the use of a toxin absorbent if a problem is identified. Mycotoxin problems are usually hard to identify and may be even harder to fix. Don’t let mycotoxins rob you of profits. Shepherding Skills Win Honors For York Fair Youth JOYCE BUPP York Co. Correspondent YORK (York Co.) Tasha Flory, 14-year-old Red Lion youth exhibitor, topped a field of contestants for the champion showman honors during York Fair competition. Reserve cham pion showman was Rebecca Butt, New Park. Topping the fitting contest was champion Tony Haugh, Red Lion, over reserve fitter Brandy Bankert, Red Lion. It was a winning week for the Flory family, with Travis Flory exhibiting the supreme champion ewe in the junior sheep breeding show. The champion ewe repre sented the commercial sheep class in the supreme runoffs. Su preme junior division ram was the Southdown, exhibited by Sara Doyle, Red Lion. All the Cheviot and Montadale honors, including all champion ribbons, in the junior sheep breeding show went to Tony Haugh. Matt Bankert, Hanover, dominated the Dorset classes, taking champion ram, champion and reserve champion ewe, and the reserve champion ram was exhibited by Julia Vadas, Stew artstown. Hampshire honors all went to Lexie Grove, Dover. Andrew Bankert, Hanover, took all the Shropshire breed awards and Rebecca Butt, New Park, earned the Suffolk breed honors with her flock. Corriedale awards all went to Eric Bankert, including the supreme wool breeds champion ram. The Ban kerts and Doyles dominated the Southdown classes, with Sara Doyle’s winning ram over the re- HThe Lancaster Chamber Phoo* (717)3*7 3631 PLANNING AHEAD FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Shelly Dehoff Agriculture/Pubiic Liaison Are you considering expanding your current animal operation? Are you considering building a manure storage or a new equip ment shed? Have you allowed yourself enough time to get all the permits that you need, and still be able to complete your project on time? How much is “enough time”? That is a difficult question to an swer. If you are planning to build a manure storage facility, or a new building, but are not plan ning to change the numbers of animals on your operation, time should still be allowed to meet certain township requirements. It 2003-2004 PENNSYLVANIA HOLSTEIN ASSOCIATION OCTOBER 12 OCTOBER 24 NOVEMBER 8 NOVEMBER 22 NOVEMBER 22 FEBRUARY 6-8 FEBRUARY 19 21 2004 PA HOLSTEIN CONVENTION FOUR POINTS SHERA7 ON INN, GREENSBURCJ, PA FEBRUARY 21 10 00A M PA HOLSTEIN CONVENTION SALE FOUR POINTS SHERATON INN. GREENSBURG. PA APRIL 16 serve shown by Kelly Jo Bankert, Red Lion. Brandy Bankert, Red Lion, exhibited the champion Southdown ewe, with Sarah Doyle in the reserve champion slot. Sarah Doyle snagged another ram champion title in the com mercial sheep class over the re serve champion exhibited by An drew Keating, Hanover. Travis Flory’s supreme ewe bested Sarah Doyle’s reserve in the com mercial sheep classes. Mary Zeigler, York, had the champion natural color ram, while Emily Butt, New Park, took the natural colored champion ewe ribbons, over reserve winner Djamel Le harani, Glenville. In the open sheep breeding classes, John Eaton and Melissa Trostle, Windsor, took supreme champion ram honors with their Cheviot winner, along with all other champion ribbons in the breed category. Dorset ram hon ors were split by Hollystone Farm, Paoli, with the champion, and Barry and Bruce Snyder, Kutztown, reserve. Hollystone also took both ewe champion ti tles. Matt Trostle, Red Lion, domi nated the Hampshire breed, ex hibiting the champion ram and ewe, and reserve champion ewe. Melana Lovell, Linden, took re serve champion ram honors in the Hampshire runoffs. Repeat ing his junior division perform ance, youth exhibitor Tony Haugh took all honors in the Montadale open class show. Shropshire champion ram, ewe, and reserve ewe were all ex hibited by Amanda Lynn Miller, is also important that you allow time for, professionally engi neered ..designs for manure stor age facilities that meet the Penn sylvania Technical Guide Standards, or equivalent. If you are planning an animal expansion that requires an ap proved Nutrient Management Plan or a federal Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permit, you will need to increase the time required, sub stantially. Most townships in Pennsylva nia require a building permit to construct anything on your prop erty. Your first step should be to check with your township and find out what is required to ob tain a building permit. Require ments vary greatly. Check for other ordinance and zoning is sues. You may have setbacks that you need to comply with, or addi tional township permits. You may need an erosion and sedimentation (E&S) plan ap proved by your county conserva tion district. If you plan to dis- CALENDAR OF EVENTS 100 PM BEAVER-LAWRENCE COUNTY SUMMER PICNIC, COACHMENS CLUB, NEW CASTLE, PA 7 OOP M LEBANON COUNTY ANNUAL MEETING TULPEHOCKEN UCC CHURCH, RICHLAND, PA 11 00A M NITTANY LION FALL CLASSIC SALE AG ARENA, STATE COLLEGE, PA PACK-HERD COMPLETE DISPERSAL SALE RICHARD & MARILYN PACKARD FARM,TROY. PA 7 30P M MERCER COUNTY ANNUAL MEETING HEMPFIELD FIRE HALL, GREENVILLE, PA 2004 PA JUNIOR HOLSTEIN CONVENTION FOUR POINTS SHERATON INN, GREENSBURG, PA 7 OOP M WESTERN PA SPRING SPECTACULAR SALE 4-H PARK. MERCER, PA Bernville. Andrew Bankert won the reserve champion ram ro sette. Champion fleece honors went to Sheepberry Farms, Hal ifax, also winning the reserve place with natural colored fleece. Reserve fleece honors were also awarded to Wayne Beare, Her shey, for white open fleece, and to Briana Kelly, WeUsville, for open fleece. Champion Southdown ram was exhibited by Sarah Doyle, over the reserve champion of Amanda Lynn Miller. Miller ex hibited the champion and reserve champion Southdown ewe, as well. Suffolk champion and re serve ram honors went to Denny Haugh, Red Lion. Rebecca Butt exhibited the champion Suffolk ewe, with the reserve champion ewe title won by Melana Lovell, Linden. A partial list of junior fitting and showmanship placings fol lows: JUNIOR SHEEP FITTING AND SHOWMANSHIP 16 and up fitter 1. Brandy Bankert. 2. Travis Flory. 3. Rick Jones. Age 13-15 fitter 1. Tony Haugh. 2. Tasha Flory. 3 Matthew Bankert. Age 10-12 fitter 1. Andrew Bankert. 2. Emily Butt. 3. Dalton Flory. Age 8-9 fitter: 1. Cortney Flory. 2. An drew Keating. CHAMPION FITTER Tony Haugh RESERVE CHAMPION FITTER Brandy Bankert 16 and up showmanship: 1. Rebecca Butt. 2. Travis Flory. 3. Brandy Bankert Age 13-15 showmanship: 1. Tasha Flory. 2. Matthew Bankert. 3. Kim Long. Age 10-12 showmanship: 1. Andrew Bankert. 2. Dalton Flory. 3. Emily Butt. Age 8-9 showmanship: 1. Cortney Flory. 2. Andrew Keating. CHAMPION SHOWMAN Tasha Flory RESERVE CHAMPION SHOWMAN Rebecca Butt turb more than 1 acre of ground or if runoff from the construction site will discharge into a stream, an NPDES E&S permit may be required. Check with your local conservation district for specifics. If you are undergoing a large change in your operation, a Land Development Plan may be re quired by the township. Hiring an experienced, knowledgeable pro fessional should make this expe rience smoother and easier for you. If you are planning to increase your current animal numbers or are planning to add an animal type not on your operation, you will need to check with your county conservation district to determine if you will need a certi fied Nutrient Management Plan. You may also need to apply for a federal CAFO permit. It is very important to hire experienced, knowledgeable professionals to assist with the permitting pro cess. If a manure storage facility is part of the CAFO operation, there are additional permits re quired, which are issued at the same time the CAFO permit is is sued. The length of time required to obtain a CAFO permit varies greatly. Assume it will take ap proximately three months to have a certified nutrient management plan completed. If the operation already has a current, approved nutrient management plan, it will probably take 4-6 months to get a CAFO permit. The CAFO per mitting process takes longer if the operation is in a High Quality (HQ) watershed, or if there is ex tensive public outcry. Public out cry can easily lengthen the pro cess to a year or more. Don’t forget to plan for a few months for actual construction, too. Adequate planning and being sure you have a complete under standing with your township as to what is required will help major or minor construction proj ects at your farm be completed smoothly and reasonably on time.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers