Vomitoxin discovered in some U.S. corn

Apr 24, 2017

Impacted states include Indiana and Iowa

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Some farmers in the American Midwest are discovering vomitoxin in their 2016 corn crop.

The impacted states include Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa and Michigan, according to information gathered by Neogen Corporation, a Michigan-based food testing organization, and reported by Reuters.

In Indiana, multiple counties (including Montgomery, Madison, LaPorte and Elkhart) had a minimum of one load of corn test positive for vomitoxin, according to an Office of Indiana State Chemist county survey. In total, 40 of 92 counties had at least one load with a positive vomitoxin test.

Allowable vomitoxin levels vary depending on the livestock consuming the feed.

Levels under five parts per million (ppm) are recommended for swine, 10 ppm for chickens and dairy cattle, and 30 ppm for beef cattle, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Many of the samples in Indiana’s counties tested between 0.5 – 3.0 ppm. Some tested at 3.01 – 5.0 ppm, and three counties (Wells, St. Joseph and LaPorte) had confirmed levels between 5.01 and 10.0 ppm, according to the survey.

And some corn in Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana tested high enough to be considered too toxic for humans (1 ppm), pets and various livestock, Reuters reported.

Farmers say, if the current vomitoxin levels are managed, there shouldn’t be much to worry about.

“As long as this doesn’t become a widespread problem, we’re all fine,” Doug Roth, a grain farmer from Missouri who’s had some of his corn loads rejected, told Reuters.

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.