Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a fungal disease of cereal crops that affects kernel development. The most important cause of FHB is the fungus Fusarium graminearum, which causes significant losses in grain yield and grain quality, while also resulting in the production of mycotoxins that affect livestock feed, the baking and milling quality of wheat and the malting and brewing qualities of malt barley. The Canadian Grain Commission allows very little FHB (expressed as fusarium-damaged kernels, i.e. FDK’s) tolerances in top grades. FHB-infected seed often reduces levels of germination and seedling vigour.
For more information, see: Fusarium Head Blight of Barley and Wheat
Currently, Lacombe County has not found positive cases of Fusarium Graminearum, in either wheat or corn, we participate in an annual provincial survey testing fields every August.