Wet weather combined with shorter tusks and lightweight ears makes the crop more vulnerable to moisture accumulation inside the husk and cause sprouting on the ears, says University of Tennessee Extension.

There may not be much corn growers can do to prevent the spread of ear molds and mycotoxins if weather conditions are right for development, as was the case in 2009. However, there are some production practices they can follow to help reduce the risk.

Growers may be concerned about moldy grain and vomitoxin development in storage, but they shouldn’t rely on chemical treatments to prevent any further contamination, says an Ohio State University Extension plant pathologist.