Avoiding the planting of small grain crops following other small grain crops or corn and tillage of crop residue minimizes the chances of Fusarium head blight in environmentally favorable years. The rotation of small grains with soybean or other non-host crops has proven to reduce Fusarium head blight and mycotoxin contamination. Crop rotation with the tillage of residue prevents crops from remaining to infect on the soil surface. Residues can provide an overwintering medium for "Fusarium" species to cause Fusarium head blight. As a result, the chances of infection are greatly improved in the succeeding small grain crop. If minimal or no tillage occurs, the residue spreads and allows the fungus to overwinter on stalks and rotted ears of corn and produce spores.