Post Messenger Recorder -

State agriculture officials are warning livestock producers and feed mills to be alert to the risks of flood water contamination and mold in corn, soybeans and forage crops.

These risks threaten both human and animal health, they say.

Flood waters may contain sewage, bacteria and other pathogens, pesticides, chemical wastes, and other toxins that contaminate field crops and stored feed and may sicken animals that consume them. Mold growth is often a problem, both in and outside of flooded areas, in a wet humid season like much of Wisconsin experienced this year.

“Mycotoxins produced by s...