Millers and researchers participated in a mycotoxin panel discussion during the NC-1183 meeting. Photo credit: North American Millers' Association.
Nearly 100 corn industry stakeholders attended the 67th annual Corn Dry Milling Conference on May 20-21 in St. Louis. The conference has served as a forum for sharing research and industry trends across the corn dry milling value chain since 1959.
The event was hosted at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, an independent nonprofit plant science research organization. The conference was held alongside the annual meeting of NC-1183, a multistate group of university and USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists focused on mycotoxicology research. Attendees also connected with exhibitors representing the corn milling supply chain.
NAMA President Jane DeMarchi said the conference brings together stakeholders from across the industry to discuss issues affecting the corn dry milling sector and provide practical insights for millers.
The conference featured 12 speakers from USDA, universities and private industry. NAMA staff also provided updates on the association’s work in Washington related to food policy and international food aid.
A poster session highlighted current research from scientists representing the University of Kentucky, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kansas State University and USDA. Purdue University researcher Camila Nicolli received the People’s Choice Award for a poster comparing ear rot infection severity with mycotoxin levels in harvested grain.
Presentations on milling operations covered topics including training programs at Iowa State University, grain storage, explosion prevention and new grain grading technologies. Additional sessions focused on sustainability programs from the National Corn Growers Association, consumer research from the International Food Information Council, ethanol markets and opportunities for whole-grain corn ingredients. USDA scientists also presented research on mycotoxin management solutions for farmers.
Eric Rasgorshek of Grain Craft, chair of the conference planning committee, said the event highlighted all stages of the production chain and continued to provide a venue for collaboration among farmers, millers, researchers and food manufacturers.
Read more from NAMA here.