The harvest mycotoxin survey of DON and ZON gathered seven weeks of new crop testing data from UKFM member companies and AIC member companies (representing grain merchants).
The figures show the DON and ZON levels of the 2022 UK wheat crop are some of the lowest recorded – and these mycotoxins are very unlikely to be a compliance risk for mills sourcing from a range of farms and blending wheat this season.
As in previous years, a report was circulated to members summarising the testing and providing maps of the results according to farm postcode.
Although DON and ZON levels are very low this season, the same cannot be said for ergot. Members have reported a high prevalence of ergot sclerotia in loads arriving at mills, with some sites rejecting multiple loads a day for this issue.
The secretariat will shortly be running a survey of ergot presence in loads arriving at mills and members are encouraged to participate as much as possible to help the industry understand the scale of the issue this season, as well as help identify any regions of higher ergot risk.
Discussions are underway with other supply chain partners to potentially expand this survey and develop some joint comms to remind farmers that wheat containing ergot sclerotia must be cleaned before it is sent to mills or other end users.
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