An Added Headache for Producers This Fall: Vomitoxin Found in Corn in Eastern Corn Belt

Farmers and livestock producers are facing another headache this fall.  In parts of the eastern corn belt there are reports of vomitoxin in corn.  

The latest reports are coming out of Indiana and Ohio.   It's forcing ethanol plants and grain elevators to have to scrutinize every load of corn that comes to market.  If vomitoxin is detected grain buyers can refuse cargoes or farmer can faced dockage.  Ethanol facilities in affected states are rejecting corn that tests above acceptable levels, in parts per million, because it can impact the by product, distillers dried grains or DDGs used for animal feed.  Officials at Ohio State University’s department of plant pathology warn in the process of making ethanol, vomitoxin becomes more concentrated. 

Chuck Shelby, Risk Management Commodities says, "Their goal is to blend off and to keep the levels low enough that the DDGs aren’t affected.  So, 5 parts per million (ppm) or over is rejected, 5 or under is being accepted."

Feed from grain contaminated with concentrated levels of the plant toxin can sicken livestock and lead to low weight gain, especially in hogs.  Producers should test corn for vomitoxin and if detected it can be blended into the ration to reach acceptable levels.   Shelby, "It's difficult for the hog producer more so than the DDG user, that’s going to take some movement."

Grain producers that may have vomitoxin in corn in storage need to watch those bins to make sure it doesn’t spread throughout the entire bin.  Farmers should also check with their local elevator or ethanol plant before delivering corn to determine their specific policy. 

Shelby says how widespread the vomitoxin problem is in the corn belt is still unknown.  However, he thinks those farmers with clean corn to market will likely get a premium for that corn this winter.