From grain to forage: A decade of mycotoxin contamination in ruminant feed in the Czech Republic (2013-2023)

This study isbased onanalytical data onmycotoxin contamination inruminant feeds inthe Czech Republic over aten-year period (2013–2023), specifically deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), T-2 toxin (T-2/HT-2), and ochratoxinA(OTA). Analyses were performed inaccredited State Veterinary Institutes using validated immunochemical and chromatographic methods. Samples included forage and concentrate feeds for dairy cows, calf feed, and fattening cattle feed. During the monitoring period, DON was detected athigher concentrations, reflecting the susceptibility offield crops toFusarium infection under local environmental conditions. Forage feeds showed significantly higher concentrations ofDON (472.6± 13.2µg/kg), ZEN (61.7± 4.4µg/kg), and T-2/HT-2 toxin (36.7± 2.7µg/kg) than concentrates for dairy cows (P<0.05). Additionally, ZEN levels differed significantly between concentrates for dairy cows (17.1± 2.3µg/kg) and calf feed (16.2± 3.3µg/kg) (P<0.05). Although mycotoxin concentrations generally remained below recommended limits, a small proportion of samples exceeded guideline values for DON (0.13%) and ZEN (0.56%). These findings highlight the importance of continued monitoring and preventive strategies to manage mycotoxin risks.