Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Annual Corn Crop Survey

Jan 09, 2025

Every fall, IDALS samples new corn crop around the state for the presence of mycotoxins – fungi that can contaminate grain, creating health issues for livestock.

Because of last year’s growing conditions, IDALS anticipated the study would show low levels of mycotoxins. However, 94 percent of corn samples showed the presence of vomitoxin, also known as deoxynivalenol or DON. Four of 99 samples showed vomitoxins that exceed the FDA guidance level. Based on the prevalence of vomitoxin around the state, IDALS recommends feed mills test their stored corn and work with livestock producers who may be affected.

As the name implies, vomitoxin consumption can cause vomiting and feed refusal in livestock. Swine and poultry producers, especially those feeding a large percentage of their protein as DDGS (which concentrates vomitoxin levels), should watch for these clinical signs. If questions or concerns arise, livestock producers should contact their herd veterinarians and nutritionists.

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Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.