High levels of vomitoxin being found in grain across the eastern Corn Belt, including eastern Iowa, could potentially cause problems for ethanol plants and livestock feeders, Charlie Hurburgh, grain quality and handling specialist with Iowa State University Extension, said last week.

The contaminated corn resulted from too much rain at certain critical growth stages of the corn ear last year, Hurburgh explained.

"It’s all due to the weather," he said. "I’m quite certain the northeast corner of the state (had the highest vomitoxin levels) because of all the rain last fall. Ethanol plants in that area will...