Dry Weather Increases Corn Toxic Mold
US - The lack of rain and the increased humidity create a breeding ground for a dangerous mold that affects corn. This mold – if eaten by cattle – can actually be deadly.
22 August 2007
1 minute read
Across North Carolina, there are six sites where farmers can submit samples of their crops to check for the toxic mold.
There is always some kind of testing going on at the Piedmont Research Station. As corn crops are harvested, farmers will send samples there to check for levels of aflatoxin, a toxic mold that thrives in dry, humid conditions.
“Most of the time we find aflatoxin, or the higher numbers [of it], when corn is stressed out like it is this year. Drought situations, any severe stress on the plant makes the aflatoxin multiply and grow,” said Correll Hall, Piedmont Research Station.
High levels of aflatoxin are usually found in states like Mississippi where it's normally hot and humid. Recently though, North Carolina has had ideal weather for the mold to grow. Because corn tainted with high levels of aflatoxin is toxic, the state tests crops for free. The Piedmont Research Center is one site where samples can be sent.
“If the cows eat a too high level of aflatoxin, then it will transmit into the milk so we have to check the milk, too,” said Hall.
Source: News 14 Carolina
