Recent research from Queen’s University Belfast reveals that poultry producers may be losing over £150,000 annually due to mycotoxin-contaminated feed—a hidden but significant drain on both profitability and environmental sustainability.
The study highlights how mycotoxins, toxic substances produced by certain fungi, can infiltrate commonly used feed ingredients such as maize, wheat, and soybean. These contaminants not only diminish the nutritional value of feed but also disrupt poultry growth and efficiency. Feed efficiency alone may drop by as much as 10%, and bird health can deteriorate, leading to increased mortality rates and further compounding financial losses.
Beyond economics, the environmental consequences are also substantial. Even low levels of mycotoxins in feed have been shown to raise the carbon footprint of poultry production by more than 8%. This finding is particularly concerning given the scale of global poultry consumption and the industry’s growing focus on sustainability.
The collaborative research effort—featuring contributions from Queen’s University, DSM-Firmenich Animal Nutrition and Health, BOKU University in Vienna, and other agricultural institutions—aimed to quantify the dual impact of mycotoxins on both the economy and the environment. Until now, these effects had been largely studied in isolation.
The researchers argue that addressing this issue is essential for ensuring resilient, low-emission poultry farming practices. Mitigating mycotoxin contamination through science-based strategies not only safeguards animal health but also boosts farm efficiency and helps secure a stable food supply.
With climate change and global trade disruptions putting additional pressure on food systems, consistent risk management around feed quality is becoming increasingly urgent. The study emphasizes that controlling mycotoxins must become a core priority for future-proofing poultry production.
