The OMAFRA field crop team has conducted its annual corn ear mould and grain vomitoxin survey.
All samples were gathered during the last week of September.
The ministry found 48 per cent of samples to have less than .5 part per million.
26 per cent were between .5 and 2 ppm.
Most concerning was that 26 per cent of the 121 samples had vomitoxin concentrations greater than 2 ppm.
That's 21 per cent higher than last year and 15 per cent more than any of the last five years.
The field team suggests farmers use extra vigilance in monitoring their corn for the rest of the year.
OMAFRA points out that concentrations were highest in southern Ontario.
They add damage from Western Bean Cutworm and incomplete pollination lead to higher mould levels as well.
The team recommends harvesting as early as possible if that's the case in your field.
Then, use extra caution when feeding such corn to livestock, especially if it's for pigs.
