Iowa State says that corn across the state has varying levels of aflatoxin, which apparently thrives in a drought. Our corn looks OK so far, but it is way too early to tell. Ours was planted in May, the stalks and leaves are still green, and the kernels have a long way to dry. We may not have a problem, but I would like to be prepared with as much information as I can find.
We use almost all of our corn to feed to cattle--10 acres to ear corn and the remainder to shell corn. Iowa State Extension and other sites have plenty of information on how to handle shell corn, and also information regarding aflatoxin danger thresholds for different types of livestock. However, I find no information regarding aflatoxin in cribbed ear corn and danger thresholds for ground ear corn for cattle feed. I guess ear corn is not common enough anymore for scientific study.
Does anyone have any information, general or specific, regarding aflatoxin in ear corn for ground cattle feed?
Thank you, sir. Iowa State's chart of danger thresholds for various livestock would indicate that, as well, at least within reasonable limits. We may have to figure out something different than corn for the chickens. I have been playing phone tag with a couple of folks from Iowa State for advice, as well. I will post on here if I get anything specific for storing and feeding ear corn (as opposed to shell corn).
As I was writing my last post I was thinking about the ground ear corn should dilute the the kernel (per se) but dont know if it could be tested or not. Gene
