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Buying corn? Know where it’s coming from.

A note of caution from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for livestock producers who may be buying corn from other states. Due to the drought, high levels of aflatoxin have become a problem in some corn this year. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted blending waivers to Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. For a limited time, elevators in these states are allowed to blend corn with high levels of aflatoxin with “clean” corn to produce a batch with acceptable levels.

The resulting blended corn is allowed for use in feeds for mature poultry, breeding swine, finishing swine over 100 pounds, breeding beef cattle and finishing beef cattle. It cannot be used in feed for dairy animals or young beef or swine. It must carry a precautionary statement that lists acceptable uses, including species and age or size of animals that it may be fed to.

DATCP stresses the importance of dealing with reputable dealers and knowing where the corn is coming from and whether it is blended. If it is blended, you will have to sign a written statement from the seller that you will not feed it to dairy animals or to young hogs, beef or poultry.  “If you plan to use it in rations for older beef, swine or poultry, follow all the directives in the precautionary statement accompanying the load.”

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