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Wet conditions will amp mycotoxin risk

A nutritionist says a wet 2018 harvest and extreme wet conditions in parts of the Midwest could lead to back to back years of increased mycotoxin outbreaks.

“On average, we’re seeing a greater number of mycotoxins this year and certainly some higher levels than normal.”

Dr. Alexandra Weaver with Alltech tells Brownfield mycotoxin levels in their 2018 harvest analysis varied greatly across the U.S. in corn.

“Sort of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin—we’ve seen some very high levels, but it’s been sporadic, and we have seen high levels also in places like Minnesota and South Dakota.”

As for corn silage, she says Wisconsin had the highest levels in testing and Minnesota, Michigan and South Dakota were also above normal.

“If that hasn’t been stored properly and isn’t getting adequate fermentation as it should have, certainly there’s a potential for additional mold and mycotoxins to occur.”  

North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences suggests farmers plant early, reduce drought and insect stress, harvest early, and properly dry and store corn as some ways to limit mycotoxins in the crop.