Spoiled Grain
What if, despite our best storage efforts, we have reservations about feed quality? How do we know that it has spoiled?
Dr. Davison says that any change in color, texture, or smell should be cause for concern. Molds are usually white or bluish, and sometimes pellets will clump together due to moisture prior to molding. She says to pay attention to your horse. If he appears less enthusiastic about eating, check your feed. Often horses will not eat moldy or damaged feed unless they don't have a choice.
Dr. Donovan adds that while we normally think of fungi as mushrooms, and mold as the gray, fuzzy stuff that grows on food left in the refrigerator too long, damaging molds and fungi aren't always easy to see. In fact, many of the spores associated with fungi are microscopic in their first stages of growth and not visible without a microscope. He advises looking for signs of moisture accumulation. He said that grain moisture can increase during storage, especially near the exposed top surface, and molding takes place in most feeds when the moisture content is above 16%.
Dr. Shelton mentions that mold does not always mean that mycotoxins are present in the feed, and the lack of mold doesn't mean that mycotoxins are not present. Still, it's best not to give the grain to your horse if you suspect that it may be molding.
When it comes to bugs, Dr. Shelton says that visual inspection isn't always the best method. For example, mites can be a problem in feed storage in periods of high temperature and humidity, but mites can't always be seen by the naked eye. There is, however, a simple test for mites. If you are in a relatively low-dust environment, wipe the bags free of dust, and if dust reappears again within two days, mites may be an issue. You may then need to look at the feed under a microscope to tell for sure.
Dr. Davison says that if you see weevils in a bag of feed, you can open it up or expose it to sunlight, and within a couple of hours the weevils will all be gone. Weevils like darkness and they hide when exposed to light. She said that most bugs like weevils are not really a health risk for the horse, but if weevils are allowed to remain in the feed for a length of time, they damage the feed and reduce its nutritional value.
So what about the use of fumigants to keep insect populations in check, since we've heard of farms that do this with large loads of grain? Our experts all discourage the use of fumigants or pesticides, and say that many bug problems can be prevented by buying fresh feed and storing it in a clean, dry, protected place. Dr. Donovan adds that accidental poisoning with fumigants can cause liver disease, and that since choosing to fumigate is expensive and dangerous, it's important to be able to identify the insect and be sure there is an infestation.
So the experts agree: Invest in a good quality feed, and call the manufacturer if you have any questions or problems. Grain manufacturers go to great lengths to provide a product that is clean, dry, and bug-free. Once grain leaves the feed mill, it travels to the various dealers, who each have different storage situations. You'll want to work with a?dealer who practices all the same storage and first-in, first-out precautions. When you're buying grain, check the manufacture date or lot number on each bag to be sure that you're getting the freshest feed. Storing grain safely isn't complicated or expensive, but it does require a bit of work. However it's worth it when you realize that you're getting your money's worth and doing the best for the horse that you love.
