Silage corn production, although an important source of feeds for dairy farmers in eastern Canada, has been decreasing in both Corn Belts from 445,000 ha in the 1970's to 150,000 ha today. Corn is used increasingly for industrial and food purposes. One of the major issues is mycotoxin contamination of the grain from Fusarium fungal species. Canada has a competitive trade advantage in having, on average, lower mycotoxin levels. Canadian research is ensuring that newly-developed hybrids have resistance to the major Fusarium species found in Canada.
Insects also are a major problem for corn production in Canada.
In addition, this insect is a vector of Fusarium species. In the international corn market, Canadian corn production must be competitive for both yield and quality.