Posted on September 20, 2012 in Dairy Performance


By Dr. Al Schultz and Rod Martin
Almost every year at harvest, we have a few conversations about common molds and mycotoxins. However, this year’s weather events have pushed us to look closer at a mycotoxin that isn’t as common in the upper Midwest: aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is produced by the Aspergillus mold. It thrives in periods of excessive heat and drought conditions, which is why it’s of particular concern to producers this harvest season. Spores travel by the wind and infect silks or kernels, usually through insect wounds.