Mycotoxins threaten Texas corn crop
September 22, 2017
Texas is dealing with high amounts of mycotoxins in its corn crop this year, and farmers in neighboring states are being advised to be on the lookout.
Past reports covered in Neogen’s weekly Monday Mycotoxin and Crop Reports have shown high levels of DON, aflatoxin, fumonisins and T-2/HT-2 in new crop corn, and that trend seems to be continuing. Levels reported require that harvested crop continue to be tested and that quality adjustments be made.
The Corn Producers Association of Texas explains that testing can be conducted by elevators, grain exchanges or approved independent labs. After testing, numbers above U.S. guidance levels mean that farmers should follow Paragraph 1109 of the Loss Adjustment Manual Standard Handbook.
The association also offers this advice to farmers who suspect a mycotoxin problem:
Says the association,
“Without following the above guidelines, should a farmer begin harvest, and deliver to an elevator, processor or other facility, any mycotoxin testing completed by the accepting facility cannot be accepted for insurance purposes unless the facility has the capabilities to meet the criteria as an AIP-approved testing facility. In order for samples to be accepted for insurance purposes, instructions must be obtained from the adjuster for the farmer’s insurance company.”
Neogen offers comprehensive product lines to detect mycotoxins. Click here for more information.
Past reports covered in Neogen’s weekly Monday Mycotoxin and Crop Reports have shown high levels of DON, aflatoxin, fumonisins and T-2/HT-2 in new crop corn, and that trend seems to be continuing. Levels reported require that harvested crop continue to be tested and that quality adjustments be made.
The Corn Producers Association of Texas explains that testing can be conducted by elevators, grain exchanges or approved independent labs. After testing, numbers above U.S. guidance levels mean that farmers should follow Paragraph 1109 of the Loss Adjustment Manual Standard Handbook.
The association also offers this advice to farmers who suspect a mycotoxin problem:
- Inform insurance providers before harvest, storage or destruction of the cornfield.
- An adjuster must collect samples of a representative sample area before grain enters storage or the field is destroyed. Only the adjuster has approval to take standing crop samples.
- An approved insurance provider or approved facility can analyze the samples.
Says the association,
“Without following the above guidelines, should a farmer begin harvest, and deliver to an elevator, processor or other facility, any mycotoxin testing completed by the accepting facility cannot be accepted for insurance purposes unless the facility has the capabilities to meet the criteria as an AIP-approved testing facility. In order for samples to be accepted for insurance purposes, instructions must be obtained from the adjuster for the farmer’s insurance company.”
Neogen offers comprehensive product lines to detect mycotoxins. Click here for more information.
Category: Agriculture