What's with all the monensin-contaminated feed?

[zippyrider]

I just started reading some of the research abstracts on monensin. The most alarming abstract I came across was from Basaraba et al., (1999) who looked at a large cluster of cattle deaths in Kansas. They found that the distillers grains in the cattle feed had high levels of erythromycin, clarithromycin, and related macrolide antibiotic analogues. The researchers concluded that high levels of antibiotics combined with normally nontoxic levels of monensin were lethal:

“Even though rations supplemented with the contaminated dried distillers grains contained approved levels of monensin, the clinical and postmortem findings were consistent with those expected for monensin toxicosis. The presence of macrolide antibiotic residues in the contaminated feed appeared to affect the biotransformation of otherwise nontoxic levels of monensin, leading to clinical ionophore toxicosis.”

Two abstracts from Matsuoka et al., indicated that monensin at levels considered nontoxic to cattle (33 ppm) are non-lethal to horses, but my understanding is that these levels can cause typical monensin-related cardiac damage seen in horses. But again, Matsuoka says 33 ppm is not immediately lethal. Higher levels of monensin (such as levels seen in poultry feed – 121 ppm) are lethal to horses.

So, this all makes me think this is much bigger than just monensin. Obviously, companies should not cross-contaminate feeds. Again the first paper seems to indicate that when high levels of antibiotics are given via feed ingredients or treatment, monensin may be that much more dangerous. Feed companies should be more transparent about the levels of antibiotics in their horse feed, as well as the steps they take to ensure monensin does not contaminate horse feed. The two together may be a deadly combination.

[Gnalli]

Ok, so we are all in agreement that this is some seriously worrisome stuff. Next question is, what about blending our own. Crimped oats, corn oil for fat, alfalfa cubes/pellets and a vitamin supplemrnt? I have 2 light performance horses that are not being used much at the momrnt, a barrel mare, and an old pretty Cushings horse that is going back into light work for the grand baby . Anything stand out as wrong or missing?

[arapaloosa_lady]

[QUOTE=zippyrider;7986109]
Feed companies should be more transparent about the levels of antibiotics in their horse feed, as well as the steps they take to ensure monensin does not contaminate horse feed. The two together may be a deadly combination.[/QUOTE]

There are independent laboratories to which you can submit a feed sample to be tested if you have concerns of contamination. I think it’s prudent to be skeptical of results that come out of the company’s lab when their profits are intimately tied to those results.

[fairawayfarm]

Thanks everyone for the clarification (so to speak) on TC feeds. I’m changing to Bluebonnet feed as they posted this statement last Dec. after the Florida cases, and I can buy it locally. Sending all positive thoughts and wishes for all the affected horses and people.

http://bluebonnetfeeds.com/is-your-horses-feed-safe-to-consume/

[zippyrider]

[QUOTE=Gnalli;7986166]
Ok, so we are all in agreement that this is some seriously worrisome stuff. Next question is, what about blending our own. Crimped oats, corn oil for fat, alfalfa cubes/pellets and a vitamin supplemrnt? [/QUOTE]

This is pretty much what some of the horses at my barn do. CoolStance, alfalfa pellets (though I use Connemara Crunch instead of the alfalfa pellets), hemp oil, chia, and vitamin supplement.

[HorseAlter123]

[QUOTE=zippyrider;7986672]
This is pretty much what some of the horses at my barn do. CoolStance, alfalfa pellets (though I use Connemara Crunch instead of the alfalfa pellets), hemp oil, chia, and vitamin supplement.[/QUOTE]

“Connemara Crunch”?

Is there really such a thing? :lol:

Sounds like a breakfast cereal.

[workin_onit]

Switching to PUrina Ultium. We were also told they have a separate plant for equine feed manufacture.

[sid]

No one seems to be talking about fumonisin…not a med. Contaminated corn that cows can eat, but horses cannot. If that winds up in horses diet in even pretty small amount, it’s a death sentence. Cattle corn wound up in my feed by “accident” from a reputable horse feed manufaturer.

That should not be overlooked either when questioning horse feed manufacturers…i.e. what is the protocal for putting corn in feed for both cattle and horses and how do they discrimate among them?

Thus, in my sad experience losing a horse from a “different” substance cross contaminated with cattle feed, it may prudent to you a “horse feed only” mill if you can find it. The cost of hay, grain, labor and taxes have skyrocked since 2008, so most good biz owners look for ways to cut costs to keep the prices lower for buyers like us. They just can’t do it really as we can see. A prices of "goods’ goes up, they must cust costs to stay in biz. It’s a conundrum. I suspect we’ll be seeing more of this.

Remember, the feed manufacturer’s sub-contract milling out. That does not mean they have control over the milling. And what those mills do and the ag animals they mill for (i.e. horses are just another species of "livestock) can vary, regardless of the brand name on the feed bag you buy. And that can vary regionally.

[Sempiternal]

Someone posted this on HGS (article from late 90s).

http://pages.uoregon.edu/bruceb/lysine_l.htm

[sid]

[QUOTE=Gestalt;7986105]
Call me over reactive but I just switched to crimped oats from Equine Senior until the dust settles. I want to be sure as I can that my horse is safe.

I feel so badly for all the affected horses and the people that love them. :([/QUOTE]

The last thing that could be good for a horse (especially an older horse or young horse, or a possibly metablolic or Chushinoid horse) is to switch it over from a Sr. feed to high carb oats…especially quickly.

[fairawayfarm]

Thrive feed is made in monensin free facilities. I emailed the company and that was the reply. Just FYI.

[CrowneDragon]

[QUOTE=workin’onit;7987163]
Switching to PUrina Ultium. We were also told they have a separate plant for equine feed manufacture.[/QUOTE]

Is this a recent change, since they had the zilpaterol contamination problems?

[jennywho]

I wondered that too crowne dragon, but I think they actually traced the zilpaterol in CA to their molasses supplier. I never heard an outcome for the contamination in Canada, Ontario I think.

[jennywho]

I would double check for sure with regards to the purine mill in your exact location

[trail_blazer]

I used to feel safest feeding Nutrena and Triple Crown feeds, but nothing it seems is “safe”. I’m wondering, should we all send feed samples for testing? Anyone know more details about where to find these testing labs and what’s involved?

[pezk]

Is there a list somewhere of which mills produce brand name feeds for different regions?
Example: if TC is produced by Southern States in the South, who produces it for the northeast and west?

[CrowneDragon]

[QUOTE=jennywho;7987797]
I wondered that too crowne dragon, but I think they actually traced the zilpaterol in CA to their molasses supplier. I never heard an outcome for the contamination in Canada, Ontario I think.[/QUOTE]

Ack. One more thing to worry about (that the mill is getting the right stuff in the first place).

[ReSomething]

[QUOTE=sid;7987364]
No one seems to be talking about fumonisin…not a med. Contaminated corn that cows can eat, but horses cannot. If that winds up in horses diet in even pretty small amount, it’s a death sentence. Cattle corn wound up in my feed by “accident” from a reputable horse feed manufaturer.

That should not be overlooked either when questioning horse feed manufacturers…i.e. what is the protocal for putting corn in feed for both cattle and horses and how do they discrimate among them?

Thus, in my sad experience losing a horse from a “different” substance cross contaminated with cattle feed, it may prudent to you a “horse feed only” mill if you can find it. The cost of hay, grain, labor and taxes have skyrocked since 2008, so most good biz owners look for ways to cut costs to keep the prices lower for buyers like us. They just can’t do it really as we can see. A prices of "goods’ goes up, they must cust costs to stay in biz. It’s a conundrum. I suspect we’ll be seeing more of this.

Remember, the feed manufacturer’s sub-contract milling out. That does not mean they have control over the milling. And what those mills do and the ag animals they mill for (i.e. horses are just another species of "livestock) can vary, regardless of the brand name on the feed bag you buy. And that can vary regionally.[/QUOTE]

This ^^

[roseymare]

I believe aflatoxin contamination is usually the result of not testing the corn used or using the wrong corn. I dont think it is commonly a situation where food could be cross contaminated by milling a horse batch after a cattle batch. So while choosing a horse only mill should decrease these chances they still have to test corn. A case could theoretically occur in a horse only facility.
Certain weather conditions lead to years where corn is more susceptible.
Horses, pigs and rabbits are most affected. So keeping an eye on fall crop reports is a good idea for horse owners.

[sid]

[QUOTE=roseymare;7988500]
I believe aflatoxin contamination is usually the result of not testing the corn used or using the wrong corn. I dont think it is commonly a situation where food could be cross contaminated by milling a horse batch after a cattle batch. So while choosing a horse only mill should decrease these chances they still have to test corn. A case could theoretically occur in a horse only facility. [/QUOTE]

Yes. I mispoke. In my mare’s situation it was from a manufacturer who subbed-out to a mill that did both cattle and horse feed. I suspect, at horse only mills, the corn has been tested before it even gets to them.