As part of this practical and solutions-oriented approach to effectively manage mycotoxins, the global Mycotoxin Management Team from Alltech will not only assist in managing mycotoxins throughout the feed chain, but also in detecting and addressing the risks caused by more than 37 types of mycotoxins. Increased demand on animal performance and productivity inevitably brings new challenges and risks to modern animal production. Toxic contaminants produced by moulds, known as mycotoxins, are a challenge for producers and a risk to their livestock. Based on the increasing amounts of research, it is becoming clear that mycotoxins represent an unavoidable risk.  “It is now more important than ever to have a documented mycotoxin control programme in place as the price of feed rises, the use of alternative raw ingredients increases and the need for improved feed efficiency is paramount,” said Dr. Swamy Haladi, global technical manager, Mycotoxin Management Team. “We know mycotoxins are going to be more prevalent in certain processed raw materials and also that mycotoxins can negatively affect health and feed efficiency, ultimately impacting profitability. The potential threat of mycotoxin residues to human health should also be factored in.” “The successful addition of the LC-MS2 analytical technique to Alltech’s core competencies allowed the development of analytical methods for investigating more than 30 different mycotoxins quantitatively, and more than 50 others qualitatively in less than 15 minutes per sample analysed, with limits of detection in the parts per trillion range. Patterns of contamination are now investigated in feed matrices to better capture mycotoxin profiles and the associated risks for the animal consuming contaminated feed material.” Dr. Alexandros Yiannikouris, global analytical research director, Mycotoxin Management Team. To assist feed mills and producers, Alltech recently launched its Mycotoxin Hazard Analysis programme, MIKO. Based on the principles of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), the MIKO programme is designed to identify the mycotoxin risks within a given farm or feed mill and create a plan to minimise the risks for the animal, and consequently, for consumers.