Economic Analysis of Mycotoxin Testing at High Capacity Grain Markets

Abstract

<p>Feed Mills and Coops have 200-800 semi loads of grain coming into their facilities per day and need to know the total cost to test, the breakeven point between in-house and lab analysis, and the cost per bushel. Contamination occurs in very low quantities, a handful of contaminated kernels can contaminate a whole truckload of grain above acceptable limits. Mycotoxin outbreaks occur in years with the right weather conditions, so some years there is no real need to test frequently, and in bad years it might be required to test every truck load. We produced an Excel spreadsheet that enables the feed production manager to change testing methods and inputs and gives a cost analysis that will help in the decision making process.</p>