The Department of Agriculture and Forestry is recommending cereal and livestock producers be aware of the potential presence of FHB (Fusarium head blight) especially in wheat and barley and to check cereal fields before harvest. Weather conditions have been conducive to the development of this disease, and a rapid increase of FHB symptoms has been noted in spring wheat.
While FHB causes yield losses by reducing kernel size and weight, the associated Fusarium mould may also produce a mycotoxin called DON (deoxynivalenol). DON is a mild toxin which can reduce animal feed intake and performance when ingested even at relatively low levels.
What steps should be taken? Cereal fields should be scouted for the presence of the following symptoms. In wheat, FHB (also called scab, pink mould or tombstone) is best recognized by the premature bleaching of part of the head. Frequently this may be accompanied by the development of a pink or orange mould on the kernel.
In barley, symptoms are not nearly as distinctive as in wheat. The presence of pink kernels is an indication of FHB, but DON can be present even if pink kernels are absent.
Detailed pictures are available on the Department's Web site at: www.gov.pe.ca/go/fusarium.
Knowing that FHB is present means that the following steps should be taken to prevent livestock feeding problems.
1. At harvest, adjust settings on the combine to remove as many of the lighter Fusarium infected kernels from the harvested grain. This can greatly reduce the DON levels, particularly in wheat.
2. Collect a representative sample from each lot of grain for DON analysis.
3. Have the sample analysed. Based on results of the analysis, adjust livestock rations to ensure DON levels in the total ration meet the guidelines established by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Growers with crop insurance are reminded that there are specific deadlines concerning claims on cereals, and they are recommended to contact their crop insurance agent.