If you want to strike fear into the heart of a cereal grain farmer, just say, “fusarium head blight.” Known as FHB, this fungal disease is one of the most destructive threats to cereal crops worldwide, causing billions of dollars in damage each year. It can bleach the heads of cereal plants, contaminate grain with a dangerous toxin called deoxynivalenol (DON), and spread rapidly during rain events—often before farmers even realize it’s there.
“Once farmers see infection in their crops, it’s too late.”
That’s the hard truth from Dr. Adam Foster, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) based in Prince Edward Island. In the Maritimes—where warm, humid summers create ideal conditions for FHB—Dr. Foster has been leading the charge to help farmers better manage this elusive disease. He believes climate change may make the problem worse, particularly as nighttime temperatures continue to rise.
FHB is notoriously difficult to manage. It can lie dormant in the field, showing no visible symptoms until the grain is harvested and tested. Farmers may believe their crop is clean, only to learn post-harvest that it contains DON levels too high for safe consumption. And if the grain exceeds Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) guidelines, it may be rejected for both human and livestock use.
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