ISN’T IT SAFER TO AVOID RISKS AND ROUTINELY AMMONIATE SEED?
Ammoniation is a useful aflatoxin management tool for Arizona. However, ammoniation has costs and requires repeated handling of seed. Furthermore, ammoniated seed cannot be marketed across state lines and frequently ammoniated seed sells at a discount. Ammoniation degrades seed quality and some users feel it is less palatable to dairy cows. This is particularly the case for highly contaminated seed that requires extensive ammoniation. Production of clean seed provides an opportunity to seek premium markets and premium prices. AF36 treatments provide the opportunity to increase the proportion of the crop that is acceptable for dairies while making the seed unacceptable for dairies more easily ammoniated.
