A good way to determine whether you have a major ear rot problem this year is to quantify the disease and get suspect samples tested for mycotoxins, says Ohio State University Extension.

Late-harvested corn may be at risk because of western bean cutworms that have infested some fields, leaving some damaged crops susceptible to toxin-contaminated mold.

It is already the third week of October and most of the corn is still standing in the field. Some of the earlier-planted fields are being harvested, but at relatively high moisture levels. This is causing some concern among producers as to the potential for ear rot and mycotoxin problems. In fact, we've already received several samples of moldy ears from some fields, but so far the problem does not seem to be widespread, with only a few fields affected and not every ear rot is associated with vomitoxin or other mycotoxin contamination of the grain.