Test to determine levels of vomitoxin (DON) on grain

DON testing service on grain using ELISA technology

The Canadian Grain Commission offers a DON testing service in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Chatham, Ontario.

To receive this test, mail or bring samples of one kilogram, in a cloth bag or paper envelope, to:

Canadian Grain Commission
DON Testing Service
846-303 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 3G8

or

Canadian Grain Commission
P.O. Box 158, 220-10 Centre Street
Chatham, Ontario N7M 5K3

Each sample should be accompanied by a cheque to the Receiver General for Canada for $50.00 (plus GST), the customer's name, address, postal code and telephone number, and an indication of the type of grain and where it was grown.

For greatest accuracy, be sure to submit a representative sample from the field or bin. If the grain is unharvested, combine a swath from a typical section of the field. If the grain has been combined, take subsamples from 15 to 20 different spots in the bin or during loading and unloading. Mix the subsamples in a container and collect a final sample from the mixture.

If more precise results are required than normally obtained by ELISA testing and/or if testing for a wider range of fusarium mycotoxins is desired, an instrumental testing method is required. This is significantly more expensive than ELISA testing.

Grading service

The Canadian Grain Commission grades samples with fusarium-damaged kernels.

• Send a one-kilogram sample to any Canadian Grain Commission Service Centre on the Prairies or Regional Centre. For locations, select Service centres or Regional centres.
• Each sample should be accompanied by a cheque to the Receiver General for Canada, the customer's name, address, postal code and telephone number, and an indication of the type of grain and where it was grown.
• Prices for this service vary, depending on the type of grain and whether the producer requires a certificate or not. Call the Canadian Grain Commission for price information, 1-800-853-6705.

Allowable levels of fusarium-damaged kernels

Western Canadian wheat at primary elevators, August 1, 2007

Class and grade	Allowable levels of fusarium-damaged kernels (% by weight)
Red Spring and Hard White
No. 1 CW	0.25 %
No. 2 CW	1.0 %
No. 3 CW	2.0 %
No. 4 CW	2.0 %
Hard White Spring
No. 1 CW	0.25 %
No. 2 CW	1.0 %
No. 3 CW	2.0 %
Amber Durum
No. 1 CW	0.5 %
No. 2 CW	0.5 %
No. 3 CW	2.0 %
No. 4 CW	2.0 %
No. 5 CW	5.0 %
Extra Strong Red Spring
No. 1 CW	1.0 %
No. 2 CW	1.0 %
Soft White Spring
No. 1 CW	2.0 %
No. 2 CW	2.0 %
No. 3 CW	2.0 %
Red Winter
No. 1 CW	1.0 %
No. 2 CW	2.0 %
Canada Prairie Spring White and Red
No. 1 Canada	2.0 %
No. 2 Canada	2.0 %
Canada Western Feed (all classes)	5.0 %
Abbreviations used in this table: CW - Canada Western No. - Number

Samples containing more than 5.0 per cent fusarium-damaged kernels will grade Wheat, Sample Canada/Canada Western Account Fusarium Damage. Samples containing more than 10.0 per cent fusarium-damaged kernels will grade Wheat, Commercial Salvage. To find out what is considered a fusarium-damaged kernels in wheat, please contact your nearest Canadian Grain Commission Service centre or Regional centre or call 1-800-853-6705.

Eastern Canadian wheat at primary elevators, August 1, 2007

Class and Grade	Allowable levels of fusarium-damaged kernels (% by weight)
Soft White Spring/White Winter/Amber Durum
No. 1 CE	1.0 %
No. 2 CE	1.0 %
No. 3 CE	1.0 %
CE Feed Wheat	5.0 %
CE Feed Durum	5.0 %
Red Wheat/Red Spring/Hard Red Winter/Soft Red Winter
No. 1 CE	1.0 %
No. 2 CE	1.0 %
No. 3 CE	1.5 %
CE Feed Wheat	5.0 %
Abbreviations used in this table: CE - Canada Eastern No. - Number

Samples containing more than 5.0 per cent fusarium-damaged kernels will grade Wheat, Sample Canada/Canada Eastern Account Fusarium Damage. There is no Commercial Salvage grade for eastern wheat.

Canadian barley at primary elevators, August 1, 2007

Grade	Allowable levels of fusarium mould (% by weight)
Selected barley (only on product identified for malting purposes)
Special Select CW/CE , 2 and 6 row	nil
Select CW/CE 2 and 6 row	0.2 %
Standard Select CW/CE 2 and 6 row	0.2 %
Sample Select CW/CE 2 and 6 row, Account fusarium mould	>0.2 %
General purpose barley
1 CW/CE	1.0 %
2 CW/CE	1.0 %
Barley Sample CW/CE Account fusarium mould	>1.0 %
Abbreviations used in this table: CW/CE - Canada Western/Canada Eastern

To find out what is considered fusarium mould in barley, please contact your nearest Canadian Grain Commission Service centre or Regional centre or call 1-800-853-6705.

Canadian rye at primary elevators, August 1, 2007

Grade	Allowable levels of fusarium-damaged kernels (% by weight)
Rye
No. 1 CW/CE	0.25 %
No. 2 CW/CE	0.50 %
No. 3 CW/CE	1.00 %
Abbreviations used in this table: CW/CE - Canada Western/Canada Eastern No. - Number

To find out what is considered fusarium-damaged kernels in rye, please contact your nearest Canadian Grain Commission Service centre or Regional centre or call 1-800-853-6705.

Because swine are especially sensitive to DON, producers who intend to feed their infected grain to pigs are advised to contact their provincial agricultural representative for feeding advice.