Many farmers use mycotoxin binders intermittently due to two main concerns:
1.They only use binders for raw materials that look bad, assuming good-looking materials don't need them.
2.They worry that mycotoxin binders might absorb nutrients along with the mycotoxins.
These concerns are understandable, but in reality, corn in China is almost 100% contaminated with mycotoxins, albeit to varying degrees. Clinical findings show that many diseases are linked to mycotoxins, which suppress the immune system, reduce the pig's immunity, and, combined with stress, lead to disease outbreaks. Mycotoxin poisoning often has poor outcomes, making the use of mycotoxin binders essential.
Indeed, many common binders, such as simple aluminosilicate products, only adsorb about 70% of the mycotoxins, leaving the rest to enter the animal's bloodstream and damage organs over time. These low-purity binders can also severely absorb nutrients, leading to issues like insufficient milk production in sows and hoof cracks after 10-15 days of use.
Key points to understand include:
1.You cannot judge mycotoxin contamination by eye alone; scientific tests show that all feed contains some level of mycotoxins, whether high or low.
2.Modified aluminosilicates have been engineered to only adsorb mycotoxins, without absorbing nutrients.
3.The quantity of binder required depends on the mycotoxin level, which is influenced by storage conditions, humidity, and temperature. For example, during the rainy season, mycotoxin levels are higher, so binder usage should be increased.
4.In severely moldy feed, even large amounts of binders won’t work effectively because the adsorptive capacity has limits. If pigs refuse to eat contaminated feed, it should be discarded.
Higher-quality binders, such as Meianjie, Meixian, and Bai'anming, typically contain organic ingredients like potassium sorbate and glucose-mannan polysaccharides (from yeast cell walls), along with other components such as Chinese herbs for liver and kidney detoxification. These products help absorb mycotoxins in the bloodstream, support liver detoxification, and promote the elimination of toxins from the body.
For long-term use, especially in farms with a breeding cycle of about four years, it is recommended to use high-quality binders. A sow may only require about one kilogram per year, which is a small increase in cost for better health outcomes.
