REGINA – Tolerance for fusarium damaged kernels in prairie wheat is being reduced due to a new, more virulent strain of the fungus.Adding insult to injury, damp conditions this season have increased the threat of fusarium and the resulting DON toxicity in prairie cereals this season.Fusarium was first considered an issue in western Canadian cereals in 1983. Initially, regulations were tight for the disease, with tolerance set equal to heated grain kernels in wheat. In 1986, levels opened up marginally and, after research into the toxin and management strategies, regulatory standards were changed in 1999.Beginning in August of this year, new standards will tighten tolerances for fusarium damaged kernels.In the 1980s, the livestock industry knew the fungus imparted a toxin into the infected crops’ seeds that could put pigs off their feed, cause piglet abortion and interfere with production. Health Canada looked at DON toxicity and found it to be a serious human health issue.”We have to reduce the tolerances based on what the best science is telling us,” said Elwin Hermanson, chief commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission.He said trade issues related to seed disease remain a constant in international markets and maintaining science-based standards for Canadian grain is critical to export business.”Right now, it looks like 2010 might deliver some challenges for the (CGC) in grading.”If it doesn’t stop raining and the humidity doesn’t drop, we’ll have a problem with fusarium again this year.”Ontario producers don’t have the new fusarium strain to contend with and as a result, the tolerance for damaged kernels in that part of the country is being increased.Hermanson told members of the grain industry and farm organization leaders at a meeting in Regina June 17 that he expects regulations will need to be evaluated and changed along with the pathogens and infection levels.The new regulations are for CWRS, CWHWS, CWAD, CPSR, CWSWS and CW feed wheat.
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