Typically when Erika Hendel has conversations with pork producers about potential mycotoxin contamination, it’s only when extreme, classical clinical signs are present. However, the technical manager for Biomin North America says producers should be concerned even when mycotoxins are present in low levels as the infectious agents could be contributing to other infections in the herd. For example, while Deoxynivalenol is most often associated with symptoms such as feed refusal and vomiting, the mycotoxin can also contribute to ear and tail biting.

Following Biomin’s Women in Veterinary Medicine Leadership Forum last week, National Hog Farmer had the opportunity to catch up with Hendel, who details how mycotoxins can be predisposing factors to disease.