Chicago | Reuters – A fungus that causes “vomitoxin” has been found in some U.S. corn harvested this fall, causing headaches for growers and livestock producers and forcing ethanol plants and grain elevators to scrutinize grain deliveries. The situation is another hit to global grain supplies that have sunk to the lowest in a decade since Russia […] Read more

U.S. corn farmers wary of vomitoxin, latest stress on global grain supplies

Mycotoxin risk likely to be high in some Alberta feed grains
Last year’s growing conditions created a perfect breeding ground for some dangerous mycotoxins, including DON
Reading Time: 3 minutes Variable weather conditions across the Prairies could cause problems with mycotoxins in feed this winter. “The No. 1 most influencing factor in mycotoxins is weather,” said Max Hawkins of Alltech’s mycotoxin management team. “Weather determines which moulds we’re going to have, the amount of those moulds, and those moulds determine the variety of mycotoxin.” Mycotoxins […] Read more

Spring wheat futures rally on North American weather woes
MarketsFarm — Weather-related quality issues with North American spring wheat crops saw Minneapolis spring wheat futures rally sharply over the past three weeks, with more room to the upside as concerns mount over the state of the crop. The December contract hit a multi-year low of $4.865 per bushel at the beginning of September, but […] Read more

Could a wheat sample test put money in your pocket?
Buyers are increasingly using falling number to determine wheat’s value — but farmers don’t get paid for that
Reading Time: 4 minutes Alberta Wheat is hailing a move by the Canadian Grain Commission to consider making tests for falling number and deoxynivalenol official grain-grading factors. “We want the grain commission to make a whole bunch of changes,” said chair Gary Stanford. “We think the grain should be sold by falling numbers… Everybody wants to sell at Grade […] Read more

Grain grading revamp may add falling number, DON as factors
Two significant grain specs that aren’t yet factors for a crop’s official grade are now under consideration to join that official list. The Canadian Grain Commission on Monday put out a call for “grain sector stakeholders” to submit their views before May 10 on a proposal for falling number and deoxynivalenol (DON) to both become […] Read more

How Ontario’s new DON testing cost-share program works
With vomitoxin (DON) levels so prevalent in this year’s corn crop, the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) says a new DON testing cost-sharing initiative will help producers strategically market their grain. Why it matters: OSCIA says cost-sharing will help farmers know how severe their deoxynivalenol (DON) issues are, and how to market their […] Read more
Toxin in U.S. corn harvest poses latest headache for farmers
Chicago | Reuters – North American farmers are finding increased levels of a plant toxin known as vomitoxin in this year’s corn harvest, adding insult to injury for growers already suffering as the U.S.-China trade war hurts soybean exports and crop prices. Vomitoxin sickens livestock and can also make humans and pets fall ill, and […] Read more

Harvest Sample Program deadlines extended
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Grain Commission is extending the deadlines for its Harvest Sample Program by a month because of this year’s late harvest. Producers now have until Nov. 30 to register online at www.grainscanada.gc.ca and until Dec. 31 to submit samples taken from their crops. There is no cost, and participating producers are emailed a report […] Read more

Mycotoxins — the invisible danger for livestock
Ruminant nutritionist offers tips to ensure feed doesn’t pose a health hazard to your cattle
Reading Time: 3 minutes Mould and mycotoxins can be tricky, but there are a few tips that can help prevent them from hurting your cattle. That was the message that Amanda Van De Kerckhove, ruminant nutritionist with Co-op Feeds, brought to Northlands’ first BeefTech event. “It can be a little overwhelming when you look at all the factors that […] Read more

Feed barley marches ‘lockstep’ with U.S. corn
CNS Canada — Western Canada’s feed barley market continues to trade above the key $200 per tonne mark, taking strength from consistent demand and a lower-sized crop in 2017. “The market has changed (gotten stronger) from last year when high-vomitoxin wheat was trading at a discount,” said Jim Beusekom of Market Place Commodities in Lethbridge. […] Read more