Fusarium mycotoxins in forage maize - occurrence, risk assessment, minimization.

The deoxynivalenol contents of forage maize in this study ranged between 0.22 and 12.9 mg/kg DM, but seldom exceeded critical concentrations suggested for ruminant diets. Zearalenone was found in considerably lower concentrations than DON and rarely reached critical levels. Therefore risk to the health and performance of ruminants is regarded as low. Fusarium toxin occurrence in forage maize can be minimized by choosing maize varieties less susceptible to stem rot, harvesting at optimal maturity (dry matter content 30-35%) and elevating the cutting height to at least 40 cm above ground.