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Managing Food Safety Issues in Bulk Grains -Aflatoxin. Do we need an early warning program?. What is Important Here?. Keep Cost Down Satisfy Crop Insurance Requirements (But No Games) Maintain Integrity of our Products Maintain Economic Viability of all Concerned.
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Managing Food Safety Issues in Bulk Grains -Aflatoxin Do we need an early warning program?
What is Important Here? Keep Cost Down Satisfy Crop Insurance Requirements (But No Games) Maintain Integrity of our Products Maintain Economic Viability of all Concerned
What can be done in advance of harvest? • Scout to Determine if a threat is present • Hold meetings for farmers • Use the press to disseminate information. • Some of the above was done last year
Problems with Aflatoxin Advance Notice • You can be blamed for starting a panic • Farmers will not pay attention unless it is publicized as a problem • Does anyone care? Is our food supply important? Are consequences predictable?
Possible Methods of Advance Warning of A Problem • Coordinate with NASS to get samples to analyze. • Set up Sentinel Plots (like with soybean rust) • Develop a scouting system to check high risk areas (early August)
Look at Past Years When Aflatoxin was a Problem • Compare Weather Pattern • Relate to Plant Stress • Look at Insect Damage • Build a Model • Ground Truth with Scouting
Advantages of Advance Notice • Time for proper testing • Can make plans for dealing with the Aflatoxin tainted corn. • Segregation • Combine settings • Grain cleaning • Time to find alternative markets • List of Labs: • www.iowagrain.org
Getting the Word Out • Meetings • Press/Media • Web Sites • Mailings • Insurers? • Extension? • Grain Receivers?
How should it be Funded? • Surveys suggest public agencies conduct early warning system. The costs should be covered by • Tax Dollars? • Grant Funding? • Other?
Questions / Comments / Solutions? Thank You.