31 Pork News & Views Pork News & Views Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Better Pork | December 2024 sented by the numerous diseases that can impact pork producers. For more than twenty years, biosecurity has been a key concept and a critical component of modern pork production. Pork producers work hard to maintain the highest standards of biosecurity on their farms, yet sometimes things can go wrong – either through a slip in practices or an unforeseen event. We are fortunate to have organisations in Ontario, such as SHO, providing leadership in biosecurity. Awareness of what’s happening in the province, in Canada, and globally helps the industry prepare and respond to challenges and anticipate future threats. Staying informed about disease trends is crucial for effective management. Flu and You As flu season approaches, it’s essential to recognize the risks associated with transmission. Flu can pass from people to pigs and back again. It is highly advisable for anyone who works with pigs to get the flu shot and to avoid contact with pigs if they do catch the flu. If your herd shows signs of flu, take extra precautions to protect anyone working with the animals. Jaydee Smith and Maggie Henry, OMAFA Swine Specialists jaydee.smith@ontario.ca maggie.henry2@ontario.ca 2024 Ontario Grain Corn Ear Mould and Deoxynivalenol (DON) Mycotoxin Survey The following information is from a post by the OMAFA Field Crop Team on fieldcropnews.com, where the full report is available. The annual Ontario corn ear mould and DON mycotoxin survey is complete. Corn ear moulds such as Gibberella and their corresponding mycotoxins occur every year in Ontario. These mycotoxins, particularly deoxynivalenol (DON, also referred to as vomitoxin) are produced primarily by Gibberella/Fusarium ear moulds and can be disruptive when fed to livestock, especially hogs. The 2024 survey found 94% of samples tested low (<2.00 parts per million (ppm)) for DON. This is one of the lowest DON level years compared to the 10-year average (86%of samples <2.00 ppm). Methods From September 23 to October 3, 2024, 261 ear corn samples were collected from across the province. Five consecutive ears were collected from four random locations (20 ears total) throughout a field and placed into high temperature driers (80°C) as soon as possible after collection. Dry ears were shelled and coarse ground and mixed for sub-sampling consistency. Sub samples were collected and finely ground for DON analysis by quantitative ELISA analysis at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus mycotoxin lab. Results Results for the 2024 survey. DON concentrations were lower than long term survey averages. There may have been slightly more insect feeding damage in the 2024 survey when compared to other recent years. These samples may have been associated with greater visual ear moulds, but given the lower overall pressure in 2024, DON levels are still relatively low. Even with 94% of 2024 samples testing below 2.0 ppm, growers should be vigilant, as they may have fields with elevated DON. Fields should be evaluated for risk and consider harvesting and drying higher risk fields before infections worsen. Understand management and storage options for corn with higher DON concentrations. Ear moulds and mycotoxins occur every year in Ontario and fields need to be assessed individually Growing season Unsettled weather and highly variable planting progress dominated spring 2024. As of May 18, 2024, planting progress was still highly variable, and it was estimated that only half of the Ontario corn crop was planted. Earlier planted corn began to emerge the week of May 20 and had rapid growth with warm temperatures. Unsettled weather continued through June, and although temperatures and heat units were generally higher than normal, several short periods of very cool weather occurred. Some of the earliest corn fields started tasseling the third week of July, while the following week (July 21) was likely the peak for tasseling and pollination. By the second week of August, sunny and dry weather dominated across most of the province through to the last week of September. Very warm temperatures in mid-September likely hastened corn crop maturity and the start of dry down. Feeding damage Ear feeding by pests, particularly western bean cutworm (WBC), corn earworm (CEW) or birds can open husks and damage kernels which present opportunities for greater ear mould infection and DON. While still only representing a minority of samples, feeding damage appeared slightly more common in some areas than what has been observed in recent surveys. Peak WBC moth flights occurred the last two weeks of July, generally coinciding with tasseling in many areas. Where feeding damage was present, visual mould symptoms were usually more apparent. For long term survey data, infor- mation on how to sample corn loads, strategies going forward, and additional resources, visit fieldcropnews.com.
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