Drought harvests call for vigilance and a better understanding
of toxins Aflatoxin levels were variable this year, which can be
expected during a widespread drought. Growing stress like we had
this year increases the likelihood of moldy and mycotoxin-
contaminated grain. It’s Aspergillus flavus that produces
aflatoxin. Aspergillus likes it warm. It thrives at 80 to 85
degrees F. And during growing seasons like the one closing now,
you might see other ear rot molds that tend to be problematic,
including fusarium and penicillium molds. Penicillium
roquefortii is the most common. It likes it a bit cooler than
Aspergillus—I saw it mostly during my tenure in Minnesota and
Wisconsin. Fusarium can be particularly nasty. A common problem
species is Fusarium moniliforme, which usually shows up as a
whitish mold between the kernel and starburst on the kernels. It
produces fumonisin, a known carcinogenic mycotoxin. This tends
to be more common the further south you go in the US, and it is
particularly tough on horses. An