The dry conditions in Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana for the past month have been reminiscent of 2012, causing many farmers making yield estimates to also look for potential mold damage from fungi that like dry conditions. Aflatoxin was a major
The dry conditions in Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana for the past month have been reminiscent of 2012, causing many farmers making yield estimates to also look for potential mold damage from fungi that like dry conditions. Aflatoxin was a major revenue reducer last year for farmers and elevators, and it could disrupt the marketing of corn again if produced by mycotoxins thriving in the current weather. But some farmers, who might suspect the presence of molds, may not find it, thanks to the genetics in the Bt corn they have planted.
Bt corn is not a silver bullet for preventing mycotoxins and other molds in droughty corn, says Paul Vincelli at the University of Kentucky. However, some Bt hybrids will reduce the potential for mold development by preventing insect damage that fosters mold development.
Vincelli says kernels that are wounded by insect feeding make it easier for fungi to infect the kernel and produce mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin and fumonisin. Both can threaten the vitality of livestock that feed on infected corn and grain qualit