New mycotoxins confirmed in US corn crop

There are new reports of aflatoxin and deoxynivalenol (DON) in the U.S. corn crop this week, according to Neogen’s Monday Mycotoxin report.
The new reports of aflatoxin came from Oklahoma, where levels have been detected at more than 100 parts per billion (ppb). More than 20 ppb is too high for food and pet food.
New reports of DON came from Minnesota, with levels of more than 2 parts per million (ppm) and Michigan, with levels of more than 3 ppm. The report also said 2015 is the worst year for DON in wheat in the past 17 years.
Neogen warned that, in the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic states, increased damage and mycotoxin development may occur in crops that are still in fields that experienced recent flooding due to Hurricane Joaquin. Grain storage facilities in those areas also could have damage to grain in the bins and infrastructure.

Crop report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said fully mature corn is at 94 percent, compared with 91 percent for the five-year average at this time.
Corn in good to excellent condition is at 68 percent, compared with 74 percent at this time a year ago. Corn in poor to very poor condition is at 10 percent, compared with 7 percent a year ago. Poor- to very poor-quality corn is most prevalent in Illinois (15 percent), Ohio (19 percent), Indiana (24 percent) and North Carolina (28 percent).
Forty-two percent of the nation’s corn has been harvested, compared with the five-year average at this time of 43 percent. Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin are behind average on their harvests.
The latest winter outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows a heavy influence from El Nino, with a warmer and drier winter for northern states and a cooler and wetter winter for southern states. Southern wheat growers should expect to be affected by cool, wet weather and low wheat prices.