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Mycotoxins, such as vomitoxin, are produced primarily by Gibberella ear moulds (seen here) and can be disruptive when fed to livestock, especially hogs. Photo: OMAFRA
Crops

U.S. corn farmers wary of vomitoxin, latest stress on global grain supplies

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Chicago | Reuters – A fungus that causes “vomitoxin” has been found in some U.S. corn harvested this fall, causing headaches for growers and livestock producers and forcing ethanol plants and grain elevators to scrutinize grain deliveries. The situation is another hit to global grain supplies that have sunk to the lowest in a decade since Russia […] Read more
Fusarium in wheat.
Crops, News

Researchers develop a quick test for DON

Science Notes: Innovation could reduce toxins harmful to both animals and humans

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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
Deoxynivalenol (DON) infections were widespread in Ontario’s corn crop last year.
Crops, News

Down with DON: a clear corn crop

Toxin levels are lower this year thanks to weather and farmer and supplier vigilance

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The Ontario corn ear mould and mycotoxin survey showed levels are considerably lower than 2018 with 96 per cent of samples testing less than two parts per million of deoxynivalenol (DON). OMAFRA field crop specialists, Grain Farmers of Ontario and members of the Ontario Agri-Business Association collaborated to complete the survey. Why it matters: Farmers […] Read more
“I got rid of most of it basically at harvest. I didn’t really store any.” – Maurice Chauvin.
Crops

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

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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
The lengthier and heavier the mycotoxin exposure, the more toxic the feed.
Livestock

The DON year and dairy feed

Dairy farmers have had to manage higher mycotoxin levels in feed after last harvest. Here’s how they did it

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Dairy farmers faced challenges dealing with mould in corn in 2018, as crop farmers dealt with the widespread DON outbreak. Dairy animals can manage mould levels in small doses but once levels reach a certain point, the feed becomes toxic. Why it matters: Mouldy feeds can typically cause performance losses of five to 10 per […] Read more
DON caused by corn ear infections significantly reduced the value of the 2018 Ontario corn crop.
Crops, News

DON-forecasting tool funded

Governments help to pay costs to set up computerized monitoring system

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The federal and provincial governments are supporting the creation of an early-warning and risk assessment system for deoxynivalenol (DON). Grain Farmers of Ontario is leading the project which will work similarly to a DON-forecasting system in place for years for wheat in the province. That system monitors weather conditions to predict DON risk, which helps […] Read more
Testing for falling number. (Canadian Grain Commission photo)
Crops

Grain grading revamp may add falling number, DON as factors

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Two significant grain specs that aren’t yet factors for a crop’s official grade are now under consideration to join that official list. The Canadian Grain Commission on Monday put out a call for “grain sector stakeholders” to submit their views before May 10 on a proposal for falling number and deoxynivalenol (DON) to both become […] Read more
After a disastrous vomitoxin outbreak, the Ontario Corn Committee is implementing a testing program that farmers have wanted for years. But will companies participate?
Crops, News

DON corn testing: A new era begins

After a disastrous vomitoxin outbreak, the Ontario Corn Committee is implementing a testing program that farmers have wanted for years. But will companies participate?

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Ontario corn farmers have been relying on their own observations and those of their neighbours along with scant information from corn companies to make hybrid selections that lower their risk of vomitoxin. When they go to make their selections for 2020, however, they will have new independent disease risk numbers on which to base their […] Read more
Infection of corn by disease like Gibberella that leads to DON problems has to have specific conditions.
Crops, News

The DON to come – agronomic lessons from 2018

Farmers have new information to consider on hybrid selection, fungicide timing

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The vomitoxin problem in Ontario’s 2018 corn crop was more severe than most years and continues to cause problems for producers and buyers. However, the fungus-fostering conditions that caused the issue offer agronomic lessons for managing deoxynivalenol (DON) risk. According to Dale Cowan, senior agronomist and sales manager for AGRIS Co-operative and Wanstead Farmers Co-operative, […] Read more

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