RUSHVILLE —
WEST LAFAYETTE - The season-long drought and extreme heat have created conditions prime for Aspergillus ear rot to develop in corn, so growers should scout their fields and inspect their grain, a Purdue Extension plant pathologist says.
The fungus, which infects corn ears through the silks or wounds, produces aflatoxin, a toxic carcinogen that also can cause health problems for livestock that consume contaminated corn.
“Aspergillus ear rot is out there, but it varies greatly from field to field, mostly depending on planting time and environmental conditions at pollination,” Kiersten Wise said. “There is no field without some potential for the disease.”
Fields most at risk are those in which corn was planted in late March to early April, due to the high temperatures and drought stress that occurred when that corn was pollinating. Even if corn was planted later in April, it is still at risk if it was under extreme drought stress during pollination, planted in sandy soils or experienced insect and hail damage.
“Producers should scout fields prior to harvest and determine the level of incidence of the disease in the field,” Wise said.
The disease can be identified by its olive green, moldy growth on corn ears.
If growers suspect the disease, they can submit grain samples to Purdue’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, for aflatoxin analysis. This lab routinely screens samples for aflatoxin.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates how much aflatoxin can be in finished livestock feed and corn for human consumption. Regulations vary by species but are especially tight for consumption by humans and dairy cattle, at 20 parts per billion. Regulations for other species are:
100 ppb in corn grain for breeding cattle, swine and mature poultry.
200 ppb in corn grain intended for finishing swine of 100 pounds or greater.
300 ppb in corn grain intended for finishing beef cattle.
Grain elevators are likely to reject loads of corn that exceed government regulations, or they could penalize producers by docking the price.
“At this point in the season, there are no management strategies for reducing ear rots in fields that will remain for grain production,” Wise said. But she and several of her Purdue Extension colleagues teamed up to offer some strategies to help keep the aflatoxin issue from worsening:
Harvest corn as early as possible. Late-season rains can increase mold growth and aflatoxin levels.
Dry grain to less than 15 percent moisture. Make sure to dry grain promptly to keep aflatoxin problems from getting worse.
Remove fine material. Fines often contain higher toxin levels than the grain and can interfere with drying and aeration.
Clean equipment inside and out before and after use. Moldy or insect-infested kernels can contaminate next year’s crop.
A compilation of free Purdue Extension resources for managing moldy corn is available at http://www.purdue.edu/cornmold. Purdue Extension also teamed up with the Indiana Corn Marketing Council to produce the free publication “Managing Aspergillus Ear Rot and Aflatoxin.” The publication, ID-451-W, is available through the Education Store at http://www.extension.purdue.edu/store or by calling 888-EXT-INFO (888-398-4636).
Agriculture
Related Photos
-
Extreme heat and drought have created prime growing conditions for Aspergillus ear rot in corn. The fungus produces aflatoxin, a toxic carcinogen that also can cause health problems in livestock. Purdue University photo by Charles Woloshuk
Discussion
Farmers on the lookout for aflatoxin as drought continues
- Agriculture
-
-
USDA announces farm payments scheduled to resume
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia announced recently that farm payments, which had been temporarily suspended due to sequestration, are scheduled to resume, May 8. This includes payments for the 2011 Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE), the Noninsured Crop Assistance Program (NAP) and the Milk Income Loss Contract Program (MILC).
-
Wet winter, spring make nitrogen carryover unlikely
WEST LAFAYETTE - Extra nitrogen left in the soil after drought reduced corn yields last year has likely been lost with excess soil moisture in the winter and spring, a Purdue Extension agronomist says.
-
Farming in the Classroom
Marlene Fudge and Barbara Powers recently visited Mays Elementary to teach the students about cattle.
-
Drought behind them, farmers now deal with too much water
Last year, farmers didn’t have nearly enough rain for their wilted, drought-ravaged crops. So far this year, they have too much of it - so much that they can’t get into their fields to work them for planting.
-
Alfalfa weevil starts to emerge; growers need to scout fields
Indiana has had enough warm, spring days for alfalfa growers to start seeing alfalfa weevil emerging in their fields. So producers should be scouting for the pest now instead of waiting to see obvious damage before doing anything about it, a Purdue Extension entomologist says.
-
Public invited to poultry workshop May 11
Many involved in the 4-H poultry program are very excited to see what this fair season brings. In 2009, there were only 15 birds (all chickens) shown at the fair and shown out of homemade cages, Rubbermaid tubs and crates. In 2010, Jason Branson took on the role of poultry superintendent. He knew there would be some growth as the years progressed, but even that first year in this position, entries grew to 109 birds.
-
Flowers for sale
Rush County 4-H Jr. Leaders have beautiful geraniums available for $1.50 per plant while supplies last. Colors are red, white, pink, fuchsia, and salmon. They can be picked up from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 2, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 3 in the Livestock Pavilion at the Rush County Fairgrounds.
-
Garden crops: Seed versus transplant
Some vegetables are best started from seed directly in the garden, while others are best planted as young plants (transplants). Fast-growing, cool season crops such as lettuce, radish and spinach are really best suited to direct seeding into the garden.
-
Homemakers celebrating 100 years
In counties throughout the state, homemaker clubs come in all shapes, sizes and interest areas to fit the particular needs of what today’s homemakers are looking for. County by county, local clubs are joining in the 100 year celebration.
-
Livestock producers should watch for, control poison hemlock
While poison hemlock isn’t likely to be as prominent a problem this year as it was in last year’s drought-stressed pastures, Purdue Extension specialists still encourage livestock producers to be on the lookout for the toxic plant.
Poison hemlock is often found along roadsides, edges of cultivated fields, stream banks and pasture fencerows. Its most defining characteristics are purple spots or blotches on the plant’s hairless, ridged stems. If eaten, all parts of the plant can be fatally toxic to cattle, horses, swine, sheep and goats. - More Agriculture Headlines
-
USDA announces farm payments scheduled to resume
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
