In recent years, there has been a growing number of reports highlighting the presence of mycotoxins in grass silage across Northern Ireland (NI), particularly impacting the dairy sector.

In response, AgriSearch has announced the launch of a pilot project to investigate the occurrence of mycotoxins in grass silage.

According to the NI-based, farmer-funded research organisation, many farmers are now routinely adding mycotoxin binders to their total mixed ration (TMR).

There is significant speculation regarding the sources of these mycotoxins, with potential contributors including residues from slurry spreading, soil contamination, other moist feeds, and the challenging weather conditions of recent years. However, AgriSearch points out that there is limited independent evidence to confirm the true extent and origins of mycotoxins in NI.

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AgriSearch has selected 15 farmers from its Beacon and GrassCheck networks to take part in the project.

These farmers have been providing detailed records on slurry and fertiliser applications, cutting dates, silage management practices, and weather conditions during cutting and harvesting.

Throughout the winter, AgriSearch staff will collect silage samples from these farms, which will be tested for both mycotoxins and antibiotics at the state-of-the-art laboratory at Queen’s University’s Institute for Global Food Security.

Multiple samples will be collected from each farm to identify whether mycotoxins are present, pinpoint when in the process they occur, and determine which types are detected.

The aim of the project is to assess the true scale of mycotoxin contamination and its potential causes, with the results informing a larger-scale study to explore interventions for reducing mycotoxin levels in silage.

AgriSearch, established in 1997, is an independent charity that facilitates farmer-led, production-oriented research for the beef, dairy, and sheep sectors in Northern Ireland.