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DON samples, tests and rejections and Production Insurance claims
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November 7, 2018
Ontario corn producers who are harvesting their crop and have concerns about deoxynivalenol (DON) levels should take the following steps to support a Production Insurance claim investigation: -
Take representative samples. DON levels are highly variable from region to region, from field to field, and within fields. For information on how to take representative samples of bins, fields and loads, read OMAFRA's article "Good mycotoxin test begins with a 'representative' sample!".
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Have a DON level test completed. Test the representative sample(s). Elevator operators provide testing services, and producers can also consult this list of
laboratories offering mycotoxin analysis in Ontario.
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Attempt to market the crop. While the market for some DON levels may not be available right now, this could change daily. Elevator operators still need to understand DON levels so they can make purchase decisions or determine alternatives.
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Provide proof that the crop is not marketable. Customers will need to demonstrate an effort to sell the crop. Agricorp's current practice is to have two rejection letters to move forward with a claim; however, this may change, as markets evolve and vary by area. For example, producers in northern Ontario may have fewer options to market their corn than producers in southwestern Ontario. Agricorp acknowledges that each situation is unique, and may review on a case-by-case basis.
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Dry and store crop, if possible. If customers decide to store their corn while they attempt to market the crop, Agricorp will keep their claim active until it is determined if there is a market and the final yield is known.
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Follow up with Agricorp. Whether or not a customer is able to store DON-affected crop, they need to keep Agricorp informed. In cases where the producer cannot store their unmarketable crop, Agricorp will move forward with assigning a zero yield to the crop and confirming producers' decisions to destroy loads.
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