The 2024 Ontario corn hybrid DON screening trial results are in and the full report is available on GoCrops.ca. DON screening trials for corn hybrids were initiated by the Ontario Corn Committee (OCC) in 2019 in response to elevated DON levels observed in the 2018 corn crop. The OCC said in a release hybrid selection […] Read more
Tag Archives DON
2024 Ontario corn hybrid DON screening trial report now available
Report can help corn growers plan for DON
Inaugural screening report reviews hybrid susceptibility to producing vomitoxin
The 2018 growing season is remembered for corn damage caused by gibberella ear rot infections and high concentrations of deoxynivalenol (DON). There were discrepancies and frustrations over acceptability of harvested loads. One elevator would reject a load but a second or third might take it, albeit with discounts for varying mycotoxin concentrations. Why it matters: […] Read more
Ontario corn hybrid DON screening trials released
Updated March 27, 2024 The inaugural 2023 Ontario corn hybrid DON screening trial report is available on GOCrops.ca. Ontario corn hybrid DON screening trials were initiated by the Ontario Corn Committee in 2019 following high DON levels in the 2018 corn crop. Why it matters: Hybrid susceptibility is one of the greatest factors influencing DON […] Read more
Province sees average year for corn ear moulds, mycotoxins
Annual survey shows 89 per cent OK to feed livestock
Mycotoxin and ear mould levels in this year’s Ontario corn crop are in line with long-term averages, says the annual survey of corn in the province. The survey is conducted by OMAFRA field crop specialists with help from Grain Farmers of Ontario and members of the Ontario Agri-Business Association. Mycotoxins, especially deoxynivalenol (DON) are especially […] Read more
Accidental discovery could be a mycotoxin game-changer
AAFC scientists discovered an enzyme that converts fumonisin mycotoxins into a non-toxic form
An enzyme that makes some mycotoxins less deadly has been discovered by a team of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists at the London Research and Development Centre in London, Ont. Why it matters: Mycotoxin contamination in crops can have a huge economic impact for farmers and biofuel producers, and ingestion by humans or livestock […] Read more
Average DON levels mean good quality corn year
A wet early August could have meant a more challenging quality year
Ontario corn is mostly clean of ear mould and mycotoxin levels are in line with long-term averages, says the annual survey of corn in the province. The survey is conducted by OMAFRA field crop specialists with help from Grain Farmers of Ontario and members of the Ontario Agri-Business Association. Weather conditions in 2018 meant extensive […] Read more
How to get more accurate DON toxin readings
Elevator operators are advised to grind the entire sample before testing to get more consistent results
An industry committee has recommended changes to elevator testing procedures for deoxynivalenol (DON) after probing into the inconsistent results farmers found so frustrating during the fusarium-plagued 2018 corn harvest. While many have blamed the sampling probe used to collect samples as trucks pull into the elevator, subsequent testing has shown the inconsistent results arose from […] Read more
Researchers develop a quick test for DON
Science Notes: Innovation could reduce toxins harmful to both animals and humans
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre (CDC) have developed a fast and accurate method for identifying and quantifying toxins in fusarium-infected cereal grain, an innovation that could reduce toxins that are harmful to both animals and humans. It could also help farmers who have struggled with trusting the toxin tests of buyers. […] Read more
Where did all the DON corn go?
Most infected corn in Ontario has now been flushed to markets in ethanol and around the world, mostly at discounted prices
Last year’s deoxynivalenol (DON)-infected corn crop has been successfully sold and shipped — albeit at discounted returns for farmers. The specific destinations of that corn, discounts endured by producers and timing of sales have varied. Why it matters: The past six months show large volumes of vomitoxin-infected corn can be moved despite reduced returns for […] Read more
Editorial: Markets, trade variables disrupt usual farm outlook
New layers of challenge keep being thrown over farmers trying to run their businesses in Ontario this spring. Wait, it actually started last fall, with a late and burdensome harvest, marked by unprecedented corn quality issues. High levels of DON in corn across the province, but concentrated in unlucky pockets, meant some farmers had to […] Read more
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