Italian farmers have faced the problem of mycotoxins and aflatoxins in corn grain.

In Italy, the first problems with the quality of corn grain are beginning to emerge, which will significantly limit the supply of grain intended for dairy farms and human consumption. The very hot and dry summer has contributed to contamination by various mycotoxins, which, as in every season, are not limited to aflatoxins but encompass the entire category (deoxynivalenol — DON, zearalenone — ZEA, etc.). This is reported by the publication Informatoreagrario, outlining the situation in various regions. In Piedmont, corn has already been harvested from 30-40% of the areas, and, under favorable weather conditions, the harvest of the crop may be completed in ten days. Yield is 10% lower than in 2024 due to weak crop emergence in the spring. Up to 5% of the grains are damaged due to fusariosis with the risk of DON and ZEA, while fumonisins remain critical in untreated crops. Aflatoxins are present where irrigation was possible. Read on the topic: In the southern regions of Italy and ...