article · Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Animal feed acts as the initial barrier for food safety within dairy production, yet feeds frequently suffer contamination from microorganisms during on-farm handling and storage. An investigation across dairy farms in the South Gondar Zone of Ethiopia evaluated aflatoxin presence and risk predictors across four hundred ingredient samples, covering atella, hay, commercial concentrates, and cut and carry pasture from one hundred randomly selected farms. Alongside feed testing, water samples and cow udder swabs were gathered, while feed handlers completed structured questionnaires assessing management knowledge and practices. Laboratory analysis revealed that 96 percent of the examined feed samples tested positive for aflatoxins, exceeding recommended safety thresholds. The primary predictors linked to contamination levels included storage facilities, storage duration, feed handler education, the use of mixed concentrates, and prior training.
Aflatoxins in livestock feed pose severe health risks because contaminated feeds can lead to toxin transfer into milk, endangering human consumers. Identifying the farm-level practices and storage conditions that drive contamination highlights critical intervention points needed to protect dairy supply chains, safeguard public health, and support safer animal husbandry practices.
The findings can inform dairy feed manufacturers, agricultural extension services, and farm managers seeking to improve storage solutions and design targeted training programmes for feed handlers. As an observational field study, the research is at an early diagnostic stage, providing baseline data rather than developing or testing a commercial product or technical tool.
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Background: In dairy farming, animal feed is the first line of food safety. Animal feed can become contaminated and spoiled on farms or in storage facilities due to the diverse microorganisms that are naturally present around or on various animal feeds. This study aims to assess the level of aflatoxin and predictors in animal feeds among dairy farms in the South Gondar Zone of Ethiopia. Methods: A total of 100 samples of each animal feed ingredient (atella, hay, commercial concentrates, and cut and carry pasture) were obtained. A total of 400 animal feed ingredient samples were tested separately among 100 randomly chosen dairy farmers for aflatoxin analysis. Simultaneously, swabs from cow udders and water samples were also collected. Using a structured and pretested questionnaire, the knowledge and practices of animal feed administrators responsible for managing animal feed were also evaluated. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to identify determinants. Results: From the total animal feed analyzed, 96% was positive for aflatoxins. Feed storage facilities, feed storage duration, education of animal feed administrators, mixed concentrates, and previous training were found to be associated with aflatoxin contamination levels in animal feeds. Conclusions: The levels of aflatoxin contamination in animal feeds were found to be higher than the recommended limit; these findings suggest the spread of aflatoxin contamination between humans and animals. Furthermore, the occurrence of aflatoxins in the environment results from milk becoming contaminated with aflatoxins. A One Health strategy should therefore receive special consideration to tackle such problems and safeguard consumer safety.
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DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1123573
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