Monday Mycotoxin 2022 Capstone Report

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Welcome to Neogen®’s Monday Mycotoxin 2022 Capstone Report, our analysis of mycotoxin occurrence, relevant weather, crop conditions, and crop progress during the 2022 growing and harvest season.

April Highlights

The USDA’s bulletins reported that April began with higher than average precipitation in many regions, with several large systems bringing thundershowers and late winter snows. These systems kept cooler than average temperatures over the northern states from coast to coast, delaying spring planting. By April 24, producers had planted seven percent of the nation’s corn, eight points behind the five-year average. 11 percent of winter wheat was headed, eight points behind the five-year average.

May Highlights

May saw more widespread precipitation across the eastern half of the country, a benefit to developing summer crops. Warmer than average temperatures encouraged field work and planting in Northern states. Small grain developed was lower than average with planting far behind normal. By May 29, 85 percent of the nation’s barley was planted, eight points behind the five-year average. 73 percent of the spring wheat crop was seeded, 19 points behind the five-year average. By May 29, producers had planted 86 percent of the nation’s corn crop, one point behind the five-year average.  72 percent of the nation’s winter wheat was headed, two percentage points behind the five-year average.

June Highlights

After months of wet weather, June saw negligible precipitation in the southern half of the country, and in the Southwest states to Texas, drought began to take hold that would remain throughout the growing season. On June 26, 53 percent of the barley acreage was rated in good to excellent condition, 22 points above the same time last year. 59 percent of the nation’s spring wheat was rated in good to excellent condition, 39 percentage points above the same time last year. Four percent of corn was silking by June 26, on par with the five-year average. 41 percent of winter wheat was harvested, five points above the five-year average.

July Highlights

In July, hot, dry weather dominated much of the U.S., with a notable exception of a storm system that brought needed rain to the Northern Plains and upper Midwest and soaked the Southeast.  Drought conditions worsened across the Southwest and into central Texas. Rainfall in the central Midwest helped build soil moisture reserves.  By July 31, 26 percent of the corn acreage was at or beyond the dough stage, five points behind the five-year average. 82 percent of winter wheat was harvested, three points behind of the five-year average.

August Highlights

Spotty precipitation dotted much of the U.S., east of the Mississippi River, while in later weeks, a large storm system brought flooding to eastern Texas and gulf states. Higher than average temperatures lingered over the Northwest states for several weeks. Drought conditions persisted from the west coast to the Southern Plains and began to take hold in northern plains states. By August 28, 46 percent of this year’s corn acreage was denting, six points behind the five-year average. The nation’s oat crop harvest was near completion, while other small grain harvests were behind average.

September Highlights

September brought continued warmth that boosted Midwestern crop maturity. Rainfall benefited the Northwest and parts of the Southwest, heavy rains fell on the East, and periodic heavy showers fell on the eastern and northwestern Corn Belt. At the end of the month, Category 4 Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida and a day later, South Carolina. By September 25, 58 percent of corn was mature, three points behind the five-year average. 12 percent of corn was harvested, two points ahead of the five-year average.

October Highlights

In October, dry weather nation-wide helped maturing corn crops. Areas east of the Rockies experienced below-normal temperatures, while most of the West experienced warmer than normal temperatures. Later in the month, warmer weather in the Plains and Midwest helped the harvest to progress. By October, elevated drought coverage had persisted for over a year’s time.  By October 30, 76 percent of corn had been harvested, 12 points ahead of the five-year average. Harvest progress advanced at least 13 percentage points during the week in 12 of the 18 estimating states.

Now let’s look at this year’s mycotoxin reports submitted to Neogen. As always, actual occurrence of mycotoxins varies widely.

Mycotoxin Reports

DON in wheat

• MI, KS less than 1 ppm
• NE 1–3 ppm
• DE, MD, and VA 3–5 ppm
• MA 5–10 ppm

Aflatoxin in new crop corn

• AL, AR, GA, MS 20–50 ppb
• KS >300 ppb

DON in new crop corn

• AL, KS, NY 1–3 ppm
• IL 3–5 ppm
• IN, OH 5–10 ppm

Fumonisin in new crop corn

• OH, IN 1–3 ppm
• AL, IL, KS, NE 5–10 ppm

Zearalenone in new crop corn

• IN, MN, ND, WI 300–500 ppb
• IL, NY, OH >500 ppb

T2-HT2 in new crop corn

• IN; 50–100 ppb
• MN, ND, NY 100–250 ppb
• IL, OH, WI 250 ppb

Ochratoxin in barley

• MO 5-10 ppb

Closing

Thank you for watching, and a special thanks to the customers and industry partners whose contributions make our reports possible. Please contact our Milling & Grain industry specialists with any questions about grain quality and how Neogen can help.

Disclaimer

Neogen® takes great care to ensure the integrity of the data we report. We collect test results from many sources across the country, including various grain producers and processors, and grain inspectors.

These results can vary widely. Therefore, the values should NOT be considered averages or "typical" of the grain harvested. The risk levels of mycotoxins we report are intended to assist our industry partners with developing a risk assessment program that best fits their business.

Detecting problems before commingling or processing can help avoid serious quality issues and significant financial losses.

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