MYCOTOXIN CONTAMINATION IN CATTLE FEED AND FEED INGREDIENTS

Livestock production is an important part of national economy and it plays a significant role in providing the high quality food for human beings. dairy industry of pakistan contributes up to 46.8% in the agriculture and about 10.8% of the gdp in the form of milk, milk products, meat, hides, skin and bone meal (anonymous, 2007). the role of livestock sector in enhancing agricultural productivity is well recognized and its contribution to alleviate poverty in rural areas is enormous (abedullah et al., 2009). various stresses like low quality feed, naturally occurring toxic contamination in feed stuffs, poor management, diseases, climatic extremes and other constraints are ever present threats that can adversely affect performance and health of animals. cattle feed is at a risk of contamination from activities of insects and microbes. microbes like bacteria, viruses, yeast and fungi invade the feedstuff and produce toxic compounds (i.e. endo or exotoxins and mycotoxins) which are detrimental for the health of dairy cattle.