Fall clean-up

Britton Chiropractic and Express Fitness & Health are sponsoring a Health Fair Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their facility.

Firemen’s Steak Fry

The annual Akron Firemen’s Steak Fry is Oct. 13, 5-8 p.m., at the station.

Harvest Supper

Westfield Church of Christ is hosting its annual Harvest Supper, Oct. 18, 5-7:30 p.m., at the church.

History Day tailgate

Students participating in the History Day program at A-W will be hosting a tailgate party Oct. 19 prior to the last home game. Serving is from 5-6:45 p.m. The Pizza Ranch will be serving pizza, cheesy potatoes, chicken, bars, and lemonade. Proceeds will go to the History Day program.

Omelet Breakfast

The Akron Lions Club annual Omelet Breakfast is coming Oct. 27.

Halloween Parade

to ACT stage

The comedy “Caught in the Net” is coming to Akron Community Theatre Nov. 8-10. The production is being sponsored by The Akron Hometowner and Koala-T Printing. Watch for more information in future issues of the newspaper.

Shelby Johnson and Braxton Bursell were crowned A-W Homecoming queen and king during coronation ceremonies Oct. 4. Carissa Westergard and Michael Kleihauer were named first attendants. Front row from left, Marshal Ashley Weenink, Jessica Horton, First Attendant Carissa Westergard, crown bearers Daytona Foley and Jaden Harris, Haley Banks, Ambra Coon, Marshal Mackenzie Heyl. Back row, Marshal Brody Verschoor, Kyle Hughes, First Attendant Michael Kleihauer, Queen Shelby Johnson, King Braxton Bursell, John Sievert, Josh Mahaney, Marshal Justin Koch.

For some local farmers, it’s at least the third blow this crop season. First, it was the drought in July. Then came hail last week that wiped out many’s soybean crop near Akron. Now, farmers are dealing with their corn being rejected at local elevators due to the presence of aflatoxin. According to an Iowa Beef Center press release, Aflatoxins are a group of chemicals produced by certain mold fungiand can be fatal to livestock. They are considered carcinogenic to animals and humans. This is the first time it’s been found in Plymouth County,” said Iowa State University Extension field agronomist Joel DeJong, adding there had been issues with it in some other counties last year. “(This year) it’s been found over several different areas of Plymouth County but it’s not necessarily been found in every field.” It’s not only been found in fields of low yields due to drought but in fields where the yield has been pretty decent,” he said. “In most cases, the issues we see are in the area that we have problems,” said DeJong. “As I walk through fields, I find the evidence of the mold that can produce the toxin much more frequently in areas that have stress.” “It’s normally related to a drought-stress situation,” he said. “It’s typically worse in plants that have had drought-stress because it’s from silking to maturity, the more days of drought stress, typically the more risk we have of aflatoxin showing up.” “No. 1: Aflatoxin probably doesn’t cause any major, real immediate health issues to speak of,” said DeJong, “But aflatoxin is a carcinogen. That’s the concern - it’s a cancer-causing agent.” Most reports of aflatoxin are coming in between 0 and 100 parts per billion, he said. Under 20 parts per billion, it can go into the normal grain channels when you don’t have a specific intended final use, he explained. However, in dairy animals and dairy products, it’s zero because they don’t want any going into the milk of dairy cows,” said DeJong. “I would encourage (farmers) if they think they may have an issue to contact their crop insurance agent,” said DeJong, explaining that corn must be tested before harvesting or it won’t be covered by crop insurance. “Crop insurance does not cover loss if it’s not identified in the field,” DeJong said. “So if you have all your corn harvested and haul it to the elevator and it tests positive for aflatoxin, your insurance will not cover losses identified at that time.” Information on how to test for aflatoxin is available at www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1800.pdf “If the corn is rejected at an elevator, then you have find another location that can handle it,” said DeJong, explaining that someone with finishing swine or a feedlot may buy it knowing they’ll get it at a discounted price. “It’s up to the (farmer) to find another place for his crop,” said DeJong. Aflatoxin in grain storage can increase if the corn is not dried down to 15 percent moisture, said DeJong. “It’s pretty common for producers to take 18 to 20 percent moisture corn and air dry it. If the temperature is fairly warm and it’s 18 to 20 percent moisture, aflatoxin levels can increase.” “Not all fields have it, but I encourage producers to check,” said DeJong. “Keep in touch with your crop insurance agent.”

by Hank Krause