Emerging pathogens threaten crops, cattle, ROI

Yield-robbing diseases such as Fusarium ear rot and Gibberella ear rot are on the rise, threatening Iowa farmers' return on investment as they steal more corn yield and jeopardize farm animals with potential health issues due to elevated mycotoxins in corn silage.

With cattle and corn prices constantly fluctuating in 2024, maximizing silage yield and quality, preserving plant health and minimizing secondary metabolites produced by some fungi are critical to farmers' bottom line.

Fusarium ear rot has resulted in significant losses in bushels and dollars in Iowa, according to the Crop Protection Network. Up to 26.8 million bushels have been lost, totaling $130 million in economic damage...