Corn Continues Call for Research Projects Which Help Solve Aflatoxin Issues

September 20, 2021

Corn Continues Call for Research Projects Which Help Solve Aflatoxin Issues

Sep 20, 2021

Key Issues:Research

Author: Stacey Stiens

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announces a new round of research grants to help farmers manage aflatoxin issues. Letters of intent from principal investigators, co-principal investigators, and collaborators--not exceeding the $75,000 per year limit--will be accepted by the Aflatoxin Mitigation Center of Excellence (AMCOE) no later than October 15, 2021. For more information about the review process, evaluation criteria and program, click here.

 

AMCOE’s Research Program will again offer grants for projects focused on solving profit-robbing aflatoxin issues for farmers. These grants, which will be awarded to researchers focusing on one of six priority areas, were designed by Southern corn checkoff boards to bring a unified approach to funding research projects across the region and will therefore favor research teams that include members from multiple states.

 

The six priority areas for projects funded for 2022 are biological control, transgenic modification, plant breeding, amelioration technology, best management strategies and improved testing procedures.  

 

“Through the efforts of the Aflatoxin Mitigation Center for Excellence, substantial progress has been made in understanding and managing aflatoxin and other mycotoxins,” said Texas corn grower and AMCOE Committee Chair Charles Ring. “Working with Southern state grower associations including Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi and North Carolina, NCGA administers AMCOE to create a united approach to aflatoxin research.  Our primary goal is to deliver advanced strategies, tools and results to growers.”

 

While corn farmers in Southern states experience aflatoxin challenges every year, these challenges may present themselves in any corn region of the United States when the crop comes under stress. Thus, the benefits of such research, particularly as outlined in the six priority areas, are truly national in scope. Proposals will be considered regardless of the parties’ geographic region. Any state wishing to provide additional funding for AMCOE is encouraged to do so. 

 

To learn more about AMCOE or corn research news, visit ncga.com/key-issues/other-topics/research