32 Pork News & Views Better Pork April 2021 Pork News & Views Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Better Pork | December 2023 ted grain in the field allows ear rot fungi to continue growing, which increases risks of mouldy grain and mycotoxin contamination. Most ear rot fungi continue to grow (and potentially produce mycotoxins) until grain moisture is below 15%. In high risk or severely infected fields, growers should consider harvesting at higher moisture and drying below 15%. If a field contains significant ear moulds (e.g. 10% or more ears with visual mould symptoms) collect a representative sample prior to harvest and test for mycotoxins before storing or feeding to livestock. A lab test is the only reliable way of determining mycotoxin levels. If possible, segregate contaminated corn separately. When ear rots are present, the following harvest, storage and feeding precautions are advisable (adapted from OMAFRA Pub 811, Agronomy Guide for Field Crops): Harvest and dry as quickly as pos- sible, especially susceptible hybrids. Mould and mycotoxin development ceases with grain moistures below 15%. If insect or bird damage is con- fined to certain areas, harvest and handle damaged rows sepa- rately. Cob, small kernels and fines typically have higher DON con- centrations. Adjust harvest equipment to minimize grain damage and to remove insect damaged, infected or smaller tip kernels. Removing these parts when possible can be beneficial, though large amounts of remo- val may be required to significant- ly change grain concentrations. Clean bins before storing new grain and cool grain after drying. If possible, segregate corn by DON content to help match end use. Check stored grain often for temperature, wet spots, insects and mould. For grain with eleva- ted mould content, market as soon as possible. Avoid long term storage. Exercise caution handling or fee- ding mouldy corn to livestock, especially hog breeding herds and weanling pigs. Pink or red- dish moulds are particularly harmful. Test suspect samples for toxins. Work with a nutritionist to manage DON levels in feed. Preventing ear rots and mould can be difficult since weather is critical to development. A few things to consider for 2024. Hybrid selection is important, and while tolerant hybrids are available, none have complete resistance. Growers are encouraged to discuss ear mould tolerance with their seed supplier. The Ontario Corn Committee has initiated inoculated DON trials for evaluating differences in DON susceptibility across Ontario hybrids. Crop rotation may help reduce ear rots, while certain foliar fungicides are also registered for suppressing ear rots but need to be applied at VT/R1 when silks are green. Cultural practices such as tillage are shown to have limited success in preventing ear and kernel rots. Agricorp customers with mould issues are encouraged to immediately contact Agricorp at 1-888-2474999 and report damage. Additional Resources For additional information, see the Crop Protection Network’s “Corn Management Disease Series – Ear Rots” publications at CropProtectionNetwork.org. Additional articles on managing corn ear moulds and mycotoxins are also available at FieldCropNews.com. Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership – What does it mean for you? OMAFRA, November 6, 2023 GUELPH – Canada is considered a world leader in the sustainable agriculture and agri-food sector and nothing stays ahead of the curve without innovation. Therefore, the Canadian Government has launched the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP), which is a $3.5 Billion agreement rolled out over 5 years from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028. There is over half a billion dollars dedicated to the agri-food industry here in Ontario. SCAP will be guided by the Guelph statement; a formal written agreement in which all levels of Canadian government agreed to address the climate change challenge, expand new markets and trade while meeting the expectation of consumers, while still feeding Canadians and a growing population. SCAP aims to strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector through various programs and initiatives with very specific goals. Grow Ontario Market Initiative This Initiative aims to support producers and processors grow their business into expanding markets domestically or internationally through market analysis, new product development and marketing activities. These activities include: third-party advisory services to complete market analysis, life cycle analysis and/or a marke- ting plan for a new product and/ or a new or expanded existing market third-party advisory services to investigate the regulatory or certification standards, or requirements needed to access a
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