vomitoxin contamination of Corn grain

Hi folks,

Ohio is is suffering lately of vomitoxin, here are some suggestions, what do you think??

Abnormally cool, wet weather late in the production season and during harvest in Ohio has resulted in widespread levels of vomitoxin contamination of harvested grain – a mycotoxin harmful to humans and animals caused by the fungal pathogen Gibberella zeae. The fungus causes Gibberella corn ear rot, resulting in moldy grain when environmental conditions are favorable.

Pierce Paul, an Ohio State University Extension plant pathologist with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, said that producers don’t normally have to deal with vomitoxin in corn. They see it more frequently in wheat when this same fungus causes the more familiar head scab.

Paul said that the best way to reduce fungal growth and subsequent mycotoxin levels is to dry the corn down in the field below 15 percent. However, for many growers this year, field dry-down was simply not possible due to the weather conditions.

The next best step, said Paul, is to periodically sample the corn kernels in the grain bin for mold and vomitoxins, and check temperature and moisture levels. An increase in mold development is a sure sign that storage temperatures and moisture are inadequate and could lead to vomitoxin increase in storage.

Do you have other suggestions????

Many Thanks.

Albert