Toxin in corn poses latest headache for farmers; rain damage to soybeans
CHICAGO — Farmers in Iowa and elsewhere in North America are finding increased levels of a plant toxin known as vomitoxin in this year’s corn harvest.
That’s adding insult to injury for growers already suffering as the U.S.-China trade war hurts soybean exports and crop prices.
Vomitoxin sickens livestock and also can make humans and pets fall ill, and grain buyers can reject cargoes or even fine farmers for shipments that contain it.
More cases than normal are likely in the corn crop because wet weather this autumn caused the fungus to develop while delaying harvests, Iowa State University grain quality expert Charles Hurburgh said.
Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/business/corn-toxin-vomitoxin-livestock-sick-farmers-20181111
