Category: Agriculture, Milling & Grain, Mycotoxins
September 04, 2018
Much of the U.S. and Europe have experienced drought and high temperatures this crop season, and now we’re seeing the effects of that in mycotoxin development.
Reports are rolling in of the carcinogenic mycotoxin aflatoxin, which is naturally created by Aspergillus, a fungus that thrives in drought conditions.
“Aflatoxin has showed its dirty face,” Oklahoma farmer Zack Rendel told AgFax. “We thought we were doing really good — decent looking corn that isn’t showing much drought stress. But everybody is starting to have issues around here.”
This week, Neogen’s Monday Mycotoxin and Crop Report covered three new aflatoxin reports in corn, coming from Oklahoma, Missouri and Iowa. Texas, which previously had reports of aflatoxin, saw increased values in the latest reports: greater than 700 parts per billion — 35 times the maximum allowable amount in human food.
Reducing risks
If Aspergillus, a greenish colored mold, has already hit crops, there are steps that can be taken in storage to help prevent its growth and reduce the risks that it will produce enough aflatoxin to surpass regulatory levels.
Neogen offers rapid tests to detect mycotoxins, including aflatoxin, DON, fumonisin, ochratoxin, T-2/HT-2 and zearalenone.
Category: Agriculture, Milling & Grain, Mycotoxins