There are things farmers can do to salvage ergot-infested crops, says disease specialist Ieuan Evans.
Most infected plants are found on the outside rounds of fields or near sloughs.
- Delay swathing headlands and around sloughs. Windy weather will shake the ergot from standing grain.
- Mow headland grasses regularly before seed set to prevent ergot production.
- Harvest headland areas separately because they are likely to have the highest contamination.
- Store ergot-infected grain intended for seed for two years, which is enough time for the ergot to die.
- Rotate crops with non-host crops. Ergots rarely survive more than a year in the soil.
- Bury crop residue 2.5 centimetres or more into soil to prevent spore-producing mushrooms from emerging.
