The Presence of Mycotoxin in Total Mixed Rations of Dairy Cattle in Konya and the Surrounding Provinces

In this study, it was aimed to determine the levels of mycotoxin contamination in total mixed rations (TMR) of dairy cattle in Konya and the surrounding provinces where 13.3% cattle production of Turkey takes place. For this purpose, a total of 74 ready-to-consume TMR samples from dairy cattle farms in Konya, Afyonkarahisar, Karaman, Aksaray, Nigde, Antalya, Isparta and Burdur provinces were collected. A general screening in dairy cattle feeds was performed in terms of mycotoxin presence and contamination levels. Samples were analysed for aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, fumonisin and deoxynivalenol levels by LC-MS/MS multi-mycotoxin method. The levels of different mycotoxins in cattle feeds obtained from dairy cattle farms, the proportion of positive samples and the percentage of presence in the feeds were compared in terms of maximum residue limit. It was concluded that the feeds were found partially contaminated with mycotoxins in terms of mycotoxin types and levels in the regions screened. The exceeded rates were found 30% for aflatoxin B1 (≥5 ppb) and 3% for ochratoxin A (≥100 ppb) in TMR according to Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey (2014/11). According to the exceeded levels, TMR and feedstuffs should be stored under more favourable conditions to avoid mycotoxin contamination.