Monitoringreport-FUMI-2019-Flippingbook_EN

Monitoring- Report 2017 Futtermittel Monitoring- Report 2019 Feed Ergot in grain – recognise, analyse, determine QS certified companies have carried out analyses for ergot in every lot of grain delivered, since 1 January 2018. The fungus ( Claviceps purpurea ), whose alkaloids are highly toxic, is particularly common in rye, but also infests wheat, triticale, barley and even maize. This can also be seen in the monitoring results of the companies. The legal maximum level in feed is 1,000 mg/kg, which corresponds to 0.1 percent ergot content. The dark-coloured grains catch the eye as soon as the goods are received. To be able to evaluate the infestation, the ergot must be sorted out. Some companies carry out the counting automatically by means of a colour reader, other companies rely on the trained eye of specially qualified employees. In case of an infestation, it is important to determine whether or not the legal ma- ximum level is exceeded. Companies often set their own stricter limits. ■ HOW TO RECOGNISE ERGOT IN GRAIN? Ergot's sclerotia (hardened permanent forms in fungi) are slightly curved, dark coloured and usually protrude from the husks of the grain (see picture). Occurrence of ergot – Annual statistics from the BMEL and data from the private sector CONTAMINATIONS IN OFFICIAL SAMPLES DECLINING SINCE 2013 total 252 356 327 251 238 226 Complaints 18 47 28 14 18 11 in % 7.14 13.20 8.56 5.58 7.56 4.87 Feed companies total 135 188 185 159 160 171 Complaints 6 29 16 10 17 10 in % 4.44 15.43 8.65 6.29 10.63 5.85 Primary producers total 117 168 142 92 78 55 Complaints 12 18 12 4 1 1 in % 10.26 10.71 8.45 4.35 1.28 1.82 Annual statistics 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 BMEL annual statistics on ergot in grains Number of analysed lots Number of lots Number of lots with findings Number of lots with findings > Limit value Highest detected value (max. value) in % 17,574 210 4 Wheat Triticale Rye Barley 1 0.0 % 0.5 % 1.0 % 1.5 % 2.0 % 2.5 % 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000 1,279 10 0 9,536 916 3 0.5 2.24 0.07 0.05 9,667 2,958 55 Period: 01.01.2018 to 30.06.2019 ERGOT CONTAMINATION AT QS CERTIFIED FEED COMPANIES HOW TO FORM A SAMPLE FOR THE ANALYSIS OF ERGOT? From a representative and homogenized sample of the lot of grain delivered, at least 500 grams are weighed, and any ergot counted that may be present. HOW IS THE RESULT CALCULATED? The grain is spread on a light surface and the dark ergot is removed from the sample. The collected ergot is weighed. Ergot content in % = Weight of ergot fragments in grams Weight of the final sample in grams x 100 ≤ Maximum level (0.1 %): > Maximum level (0.1 %) Accepting (and processing) of the goods is possible Companies must decide: reject the goods or cleaning ERGOT INFESTATION A RISK NOT ONLY FOR RYE During the evaluation of the first company data since the introduction of the mandatory analysis, most of the findings were detected in rye, along with triticale, wheat and barley. Fortunately, the limit values exceeded are very low at 1.9 percent for rye and wheat, and at 0.3 percent for triticale. In barley, ergot was detected, but the limit value was not exceeded. In maize (90 lots) and spelt (36 lots) no ergot was found at all ( not included in the diagram ). ■