Assessment of Aflatoxin level in Commercial Layer feed in Khartoum State and the Farmers’ awareness of Aflatoxin negative Effects

Abstract

A study was conducted during the period July – Nov. 2018 to assess aflatoxin contamination in commercial layer feed and farmer knowledge on aflatoxin hazards. Feed was collected from 25farms (4 companies and 21 farmers) in Khartoum State and from the same farms data were collected using questionnaire as research tool. The main findings of questionnaire showed that 72% of the farmers studied were solely specialized in poultry of whom 84% in table egg production .Most of them used improved housing conditions, raised more than 4000 birds per flock in all in –all out system, used antiseptics and stored feed for one week or less .On aflatoxin knowledge most of farms managers were veterinarian or animal Production graduates, who had some information on aflatoxin hazards . Dose calibration conducted by veterinarians (56%) but a total of (56%) do not inspect feed for aflatoxin contamination attributed to use of anti aflatoxin and high cost .The average of aflatoxin feed content was 2.6 ppb for Kh. State in a range up to 14ppb . Mean aflatoxin content was 1.76 ppb for Kh. Locality, 4.66 ppb for Kh. North State .and 1.26ppb for Omdurman. Over all level was less than 20 ppb within the accepted safety standard and was the lowest among the previous studies findings.