FRICK SERVICES, INC - POLICY ON VOMITOXIN

REVISED VOM DISCOUNT SCHEDULE - JUNE 17, 2010

Beginning December 21, 2009 ALL Loads of corn coming in to a Frick Services location will be screened for Vomitoxin (DON) prior to being permitted to unload. 

The screening procedure takes about ten minutes and will produce a ppm or parts-per-million reading.   The grower will be advised of the vomitoxin level and any discounts that may apply prior to unloading.   The discount schedule is as follows:

  • PPM                      $/bushel discount
  • Up to 5.0                              .00
  • 5.1 to 6.0                              .05
  • 6.1 to 7.0                              .10
  • 7.1 to 8.0                              .15
  • 8.1 to 9.0                              .20
  • 9.1 to 10.0                           .25
  • > 10.0                                    .75          subject to rejection

  

This schedule is subject to change without notice.

What is Vomitoxin

Vomitoxin, also known as deoxynivalenol (DON), is a mycotoxin resulting from the presence of Gibberella ear rot in corn.  In the field gibberella can be noted by pink mold on kernels starting at the tip of the ear and working towards the base.  Giberella develops best when temperatures are moderate and frequent rainfall occurs during the three-week period after silk emergence.  Giberella mold is more difficult to detect visually in harvested grain and levels of vomitoxin can only by detected by testing.  Following are some examples of maximum levels of vomitoxin certain processors can accept:

  • Food processing - up to 1.0 ppm
  • Swine feed - up to 1.0 ppm in finished feed
  • Cattle and poultry feed - up to 5.0 ppm in finished feed
  • Ethanol - up to 3.0 ppm (VOM levels in DDG's is x3)

These processors are tightening their standards and establishing discount schedules for higher levels of VOM.  As a result corn with levels that exceed 3.0 PPM may be subject to discounts or may not be marketable through Frick Service's normal channels.  This is forcing Frick Services to initiate the above policy for vomitoxin levels on incoming corn.  By testing each load an appropriate discount can be determined as well as allowing the grain to be segregated into low vs. high VOM levels for storage.

We appreciate your patience.

Frick Services, Inc.