Managing ergot into the new season

During this year's harvest, the industry noted increasing reports of ergot appearing in cereal crops across the country. There are a few theories as to why it's increased over the last few years and why it's so prevalent this season, but it's important to bear in mind the picture can look quite different on a regional basis and there are many factors at play.

As we head into a new season, it's important to consider the potential impact of ergot, subsequent actions when it's found and any management considerations required in the field.

Firstly, what is ergot?

Ergot is a fungal pathogen and although it doesn't have a direct effect on yield, it contains large amounts of toxic alkaloids called mycotoxins.

It's extremely important to manage in cereals. The approved AIC Contract for Grains/Pulses states that: "grain shall not contain more than 0.001% ergot by weight for feed grain and zero tolerance for all other grain.

How to identify ergot

Ergot is typically an oblong mass with a black-purplish rind, 10-35mm long and 4-8mm thick. The pieces are slightly arched and marked with a longitudinal furrow – sometimes referred to as 'small black bananas' and can look similar to rodent droppings.

The internal structure is grainy, dense and has a vitreous-greyish coloration.

Rye, triticale and wheat are most susceptible to ergot; below are pictures of how it can appear. Ergot can also be present in barley and sometimes oats too.

Life cycle

Below is a helpful diagram of ergot's life cycle, but in summary:

• At or near harvest, ergot can fall to the ground and remain dormant until the spring. This is really important to consider with the prevalence so high this year.
• Spores are spread by the wind to open flowers of grasses and cereals. Eventually, these spores germinate and infect the ovaries
• Secondary spores are then produced, encased in honey dew and insects and physical transfer adds to the infection
• Visible ergots go onto form in place of grain. Generally speaking, it can then remain viable on the soil surface for around 12 months.

Why has ergot been so prevalent in the 2023/24 season?

As mentioned, the cause of ergot is usually attributed to environmental conditions like wet weather during the flowering period, which facilitates spore production and prolongs the flowering timeline. However, there are a few other reasons that have likely caused the increase in ergot throughout recent years:

• Inability to apply residual herbicides
• Late and secondary tillering
• Grassweeds (particularly black-grass) remain a widespread problem and act as a significant host for the disease
• Less control through ploughing due to the shift in reducing cultivations and no-tillage
• Grain rye is increasing as a crop and is particularly susceptible
• Varieties with a long flowering period are also susceptible
• Copper deficiencies can also elongate the flowering period
• Spring wheat is more affected than winter types due to its more open flowering habit
• Grass margins can increase disease where early flowering grass species are used.

Importance of seed quality for grass margins

Some have the view that environmental crop species can increase grassweed pressures and thereby could increase ergot risk. Key to this though is overall seed quality – as with any crops you want to ensure the highest standards are being met to ensure any unwanted grassweed pressures or other challenges. Claire Colchester from our Kings Crops team and assistant laboratory manager, Steven Bailey, shared this blog on the importance of quality seed in specialist and environmental mixtures, including the rigorous quality and assurance standards followed for all Kings mixtures. 

Ways to manage ergot post-harvest

There are numerous ways Frontier offers support with the management of ergot, providing solutions for both the short and long-term.

Cleaning facilities

If ergot is present in grain, there are a few options to remedy the problem. Frontier has access to a huge storage network with a significant capacity for grain conditioning. We also have mobile seed and grain cleaning services.

Colour sorting grain is an immediate way to mitigate ergot pressure and it's the best method available. At Frontier, we have invested significantly in colour sorting machines and technology across many of our sites and we offer mobile seed processing services too, including colour sorters that can be brought on farm to clean grain before it is moved.

More recently at our Saddlebow site in Kings Lynn, we've invested £600,000 in state-of-the-art colour sorting equipment from Buhler. Despite being known predominantly as a malting barley site, this new technology has helped to remove ergot across all commodities. The site's solar panels also mean the colour sorter is functioning on 100% self-generated solar electricity.

Seed quality

To stand yourself in good stead against potential future ergot pressure, it's important to make sure you are getting the best quality seed and agronomic advice.

At Frontier, we are confident in our ability to produce seed of an industry leading standard and hold ourselves to far higher levels of cleanliness and quality than those required by seed marketing legislation. This is supported by our attention to detail throughout the seed growing and cleaning process.

Even so, the complete removal of ergot cannot be guaranteed and the Frontier Standard for ergot is set at one piece per 2kg sample. However, the vast majority of seed processed shows no trace of ergot whatsoever.

Seed treatments

A further measure to help reduce the germination of ergot in seed is the use of a fungicidal seed treatment such as Rancona i-Mix, Beret Gold or Vibrance Duo. Along with the act of burying ergot pieces during drilling, these treatments can further reduce the capacity for ergot to infect the following crop. For that reason, we recommend a suitable fungicide seed treatment for use on all of our certified seed and home-saved seed dressed via one of our mobile cleaning units.

Grain sampling

Along with our storage facilities, we also support growers with self-sampling guidance, operate a sample collection service and have a nationwide network of lab to support testing and analysis. Instructions on how to safely self-sample grain can be found here or you can speak to your farm trader.

Seek advice

Above all, if ergot is a concern for you on farm, make sure you seek expert advice. Talking through your concerns with a qualified agronomist is a great way to understand the technical management required on farm as well as access further support or services, helping you determine the best way to move forward.

Key to managing ergot is ensuring you have a good grassweed control programme. You can read this blog for good practice when controlling grassweeds into winter. 

Summary

The 2023/24 season has been nothing short of challenging, and the prevalence of ergot has demonstrated the extent that environmental factors can have on crop quality and management.

As we look ahead to 2025, taking remedial actions now where you need to will be vital, but remember to take sound advice and seek support so you can manage any future risk in the best possible way. From immediate actions with seed processing/cleaning services, through to ongoing farm advice from our experts, we are here to help.

Please do not hesitate to contact your local Frontier advisor with any questions or concerns. Alternatively, you can get in touch.

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