Drought 2012: Moldy corn and crop insurance

Corn harvest is beginning throughout Wisconsin and should proceed quickly with the projected dry weather. Though the USDA estimates that the state average yield will be 130 bu/ac, yields have been varying greatly from one location to the next. Some growers will find themselves with decent yields and good test weights, and so they may feel no need to contact their crop insurance agent. However, due to the moisture and heat stress with the drought of 2012, Wisconsin farmers should be especially aware of moldy corn this year, for the health of their livestock and food safety. Buyers will also be looking for moldy corn; we have already heard reports of loads of corn being rejected due to mold and mycotoxin contamination.

Quality losses due to moldy corn are insurable losses for those with crop insurance, even if the total harvested yield will not trigger an insurance indemnity. Appropriate grain samples have to be collected and tested before harvest. Farmers suspecting losses due to moldy grain should contact their crop insurance agents before they harvest, otherwise they may forfeit crop insurance indemnities for quality loses.

Corn Molds and Mycotoxins

Aspergillus species and Fusarium species are fungi that cause molds and produce mycotoxin problems in corn. Both are very common in nature. Aspergillus species tend to grow best between 80 and 100 degrees F, with 85% relative humidity and grain moisture of 18%-20% also favoring fungal growth and aflatoxin production. Fungal infections are also more common in corn under stress, such as from drought, heat, insects, nutrient deficiency, etc. As a result, Aspergillus ear rot in corn is typically more common in southern states, but conditions in Wisconsin during 2012 where favorable for increased risk of Aspergillus ear rot.

Fungal growth and visible mold on corn can lead to grain contamination with mycotoxins – toxins produced by these fungi. Aspergillus ear rot on corn can produce aflatoxins – highly toxic compounds officially listed as potential carcinogens. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established aflatoxin maximum acceptable limits of 20 parts per billion (ppb) for corn used as feed for dairy animals and 0.5 ppb in milk. These extremely low levels reflect the highly toxic nature of these compounds and the importance of examining corn at harvest and testing for aflatoxin.

Other mycotoxins can also cause problems. More common in the upper Midwest are Fusarium species that can infect corn kernels and produce fumonisins and vomitoxin. The FDA has established maximum allowable levels of fumonisins in corn and corn products for human consumption ranging from 2-4 parts per million (ppm). For animal feed, maximum allowable fumonisin levels range from 5 ppm for horses to 100 ppm for poultry. Vomitoxin limits are 5 ppm for cattle and chickens and 1 ppm for human consumption.