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Resources

Fusarium Mycotoxin Risk Assessment

Update for 2009 harvest

The very wet weather conditions during 2008 showed some limitations to the risk assessment scheme.   In light of our findings and a detailed re-analysis of the weather related risk factors the scheme has been modified to incorporate a wider range of weather related risks.  In addition, the geographic risk areas have been re-drawn based on findings from recent years.

When selling wheat the overall risk assessment score should then be entered on the grain passport as in previous years.

Tool

This tool provides growers with means of entering their own risk scores for factors associated with the risk of fusarium mycotoxin developing on wheat. 

Click on which tool format you prefer, risk scores are entered and an overall risk value obtained.   This will provide a guide on the need to test the grain and its suitability for the milling wheat market.  It can be printed out, signed and dated to keep as a record of your risk assessment.

We have 3 methods to use this tool:

1. The excel version can be downloaded here, fill in where necessary and it will calculate an overall risk value automatically.  If you do not have Excel installed on your computer, a free viewer can be downloaded from Microsoft by clicking here 
   
   
2. (NEW) An online version can be used here Fusarium Mycotoxin Risk Assessment Tool
   
   
3. A PDF version can be downloaded here , print this out and manually calculate the risk scores

Useful resources 

• Topic Sheet 104 is now available Managing fusarium mycotoxin risk in wheat - changes for harvest 2009. Very wet growing and harvest conditions meant 2008 was a record year for fusarium mycotoxins. The HGCA risk assessment scheme worked well in 2006 and 2007, but less well in the extreme conditions of 2008. Therefore, it has been revised for 2009. 
• Guidelines to minimising the risk of fusarium mycotoxins in cereals describes in detail the factors that contribute to these mycotoxins and more importantly how to reduce the risk of them.