Business

State urges farmers to test corn

By Bill Moss, Published: September 15, 2014

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging farmers to have their corn tested for aflatoxin to prevent contamination of feed and food.

Aflatoxin is a byproduct of the mold Aspergillus flavus and can be harmful to both humans and livestock.

Some farmers may need to have corn samples tested for crop insurance or quality assurance purposes. These samples must be submitted to a grain marketing location certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The tests cost $22.20 per sample.

For insurance or quality assurance purposes, farmers must submit a 5-pound sample of shelled corn by mail, UPS or FedEx to a USDA-certified grain marketing location. The following locations can conduct USDA-certified testing, and they will accept samples between 6:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays:

Cargill Soybean Plant
Attn: Ben Honeycutt
1400 S. Blount St.
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-733-4491

Grain Grading Office
Attn: Judy Grimes
407-G South Griffin St.
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
252-337-9782

Farmers who grow or buy bulk corn to feed to their own animals can have it tested for free at the agricultural research station in Mills River. Forms for submitting samples are available at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, 74 Research Drive, Fletcher, 828-684-7197.