**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MDA Warns of Elevated Mycotoxin Levels in Missouri

MDA Warns of Elevated Mycotoxin Levels in Missouri Producers and Feed Manufacturers Should Monitor Mycotoxin Levels in 2023 corn. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. –The Missouri Department of Agriculture encourages Missouri feed manufacturers, corn producers and livestock producers to monitor aflatoxin and fumonisin levels in corn harvested in 2023. Mycotoxin levels have increased in Missouri corn due to prolonged drought. Feed contaminated with high aflatoxin and fumonisin levels may impact livestock. MDA monitors mycotoxin levels through the Bureau of Feed & Seed’s Annual Corn Survey. Each fall, MDA feed inspectors conduct the Corn Survey by collecting corn samples from farms throughout the state during harvest. The Feed Regulatory Program collects at least one corn sample from each corn-producing county. Samples combine corn harvested on multiple farms within each county. The samples are then analyzed for crude protein, moisture, aflatoxin, and fumonisin at the MDA Feed Control Laboratory. In 2023, 122 corn samples, from 86 corn-producing counties, were collected for the Corn Survey. Sample collection details are documented in the Corn Survey Report. High fumonisin levels occur when hot, dry weather is followed by periods of high humidity, which many parts of Missouri experienced in 2023. Horses and other equids, as well as rabbits, are most sensitive to fumonisin, though all livestock can experience effects. Animals that consume high levels of fumonisin may demonstrate neurological symptoms such as confusion, circling, incoordination, agitation and facial twitching. Consumption of corn contaminated with fumonisin causes “moldy corn poisoning” or leukoencephalomalacia, which translates to softening of the brain’s white matter. The 2023 Corn Survey can be viewed at agriculture.mo.gov. Additional information concerning aflatoxin and fumonisin can be found on the FDA website. If symptoms occur, contact your veterinarian. To have feed tested, contact the University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. To learn more about the MDA Feed & Seed Program, visit agriculture.mo.gov. To learn more about the Department and its programs, visit agriculture.mo.gov.

Missouri Agriculture Updates

Missouri Agriculture Updates January 26, 2024 Food Value-Added Workshop in St. Louis Value-added production has the potential to increase revenue for small farmers and small-scale food producers, by processing raw fruit and vegetables into ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, frozen and shelf-stable products. Successful and profitable value-added production requires an understanding of food code regulations, marketing strategies, a product's value proposition to the customer, business planning, evaluating cost of production and learning from other producers already actively producing value-added products. Class sessions include: A Farmer's 4 Year Journey in Value-Added Production - James Leek of Pat and Rachel’s Garden Improving Business Practices: Marketing, Business Planning, and Evaluating Cost of Production Regulations for Value-added Production - Cottage, Retail and Manufactured Foods Regulations Value-added Producer Panel - Farmers and Food Producer's Experiences with Value-Added Production: James Leek - Pat & Rachel's Garden Brandt Schisler - Hickory Ridge Orchard Rachel Burns - Bold Spoon Creamery Producing Products in a Shared Licensed Commercial Kitchen Round Table Networking Session with Farmer Presenters and Resource Partners Enjoy snacks and lunch from local producers and food businesses. Organizations serving value-added producers will be present to share resources and answer your questions. This event is hosted, supported. and organized by the Missouri Agriculture, Food and Forestry Innovation Center and MU Extension. Registration deadline is 5:00 p.m. on 2/14/24. Cost: $25 Contact: Justin Keay, justin.keay@missouri.edu, 573-324-5464 Interzoo 2024 Opportunity Interzoo is the world's biggest marketing platform for the pet industry. Manufacturers, wholesalers, and service providers from over 60 countries gather and present innovative pet supplies. This makes Interzoo a key source of inspiration for the International pet industry. A total of around 28,000 trade visitors from 129 countries come to Nuremburg to see for themselves the latest articles and services for dogs, cats, fish and many other pets from a total of 1,326 exhibitors from 59 countries. At Interzoo, the spotlight will be on innovative products, brands, and services as well as exciting developments and trends from all around the world, in areas of equestrian sports, pet food technology, shop fittings, packaging. IT systems, e-commerce, trade literature, etc. MO DED will have a booth set up to showcase Missouri companies, and staff available to directly support participants. To learn more, or secure your space today, contact Brandon McDaniel at brandon.mcdaniel@ded.mo.gov or (573) 301-9842. American Foods Group Receives Business Facilities' Impact Award Each January, Business Facilities, a leading publication for corporate site selectors, recognizes economic development organizations for their work in securing significant corporate relocation, expansion, or retention projects. The annual Business Facilities Deal of the Year Awards focus on capital investment, jobs creation, and innovation. In addition to the four Deal of the Year awards, Business Facilities editors also select a number of projects from the pool of entries for recognition for the magazine’s Impact Awards. Now in its third year, these awards showcase corporate relocation and expansion investments that are having, or are expected to have, a significant impact on the communities in which they are located. Business Facilities’ 2023 Impact Awards feature 19 projects across a variety of categories. In the Food Manufacturing category, American Foods Group received an impact award for the partnership with the following entities: Missouri Dept. of Economic Development; Missouri One Start; Missouri Development Finance Board; Missouri Dept. of Agriculture; Missouri Dept. of Transportation; Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources; Missouri Dept. of Corrections; Greater Warren County Economic Development Council; Greater St. Louis, Inc.; Warren County; St. Charles Community College; St. Charles Water District #2; Norfolk Southern, Ameren; Cuivre River Electric; Cochran Engineering; Missouri Farmers Care. Photo of the Week Director Chinn joined the Missouri Soybean team for their Annual Meeting this week. She spoke with Missouri Soy leadership and Missouri soybean farmers about key issues affecting the Missouri agriculture industry. ...