WESMYG

Weather Data-Based System for Predicting Mycotoxin Contamination in Cereals

Funding body: BMF, FFG / KIRAS

WESMYG develops a forecasting model for the early detection of mycotoxin contamination in cereals on the basis of weather and analytical data – with a focus on implications for feed and food.

The WESMYG project (Weather Data-Based System for Predicting Mycotoxin Contamination in Cereals) lays the foundations for an early warning system for cereal producers and processors. Through their toxins, moulds in cereals impair the use of cereals for food and feed. Detecting such mycotoxin contamination as early as possible contributes to the security of cereal supply as well as to sustainability. One of the project’s greatest challenges is the creation of an Austrian data basis of historical and current mycotoxin results from Austria’s main cereal-growing regions. These mycotoxin data will be linked spatially with weather data. The newly created data basis will be used to develop a statistical prediction model for mycotoxin contamination in cereals (e.g. wheat). In the course of a harvest year, an early forecast of possible mycotoxin contamination can help to choose the optimal harvest time and thereby reduce mould contamination. The model is validated by its predictive performance for new periods and additional mycotoxin measurements (test data for the predictive accuracy of the next harvest year). Essential to the project is a broad project consortium of businesses, research institutions and other stakeholders in order to develop a practicable approach. Fourteen partners are involved in the project and provide their measurement data. The analytical methods used by the various partners include both rapid screening methods and complex procedures for identifying and quantifying mycotoxins by means of instrumental analysis (confirmatory methods), such as liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The analytical methods used are evaluated with regard to available performance criteria as well as costs and their potential for use in prediction models. In addition, the legal implications of an overall forecasting system are addressed.

Participating institutions

Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES)

AGRANA Research & Innovation Center GmbH

Assmannmühlen Gesellschaft m.b.H.

Biomin Holding GmbH

Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics

Garant - Tiernahrung Gesellschaft m.b.H.

GoodMills Österreich GmbH

Kärntner Mühle Kropfitsch GmbH

Conference of Presidents of the Austrian Chambers of Agriculture

Likra Tierernährung GmbH

Austrian Millers’ Association

Pfahnl Backmittel GmbH

ROMER LABS Division Holding GmbH

RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria Aktiengesellschaft

Stöber Mühle e.U.

University of Vienna, Department of Innovation and Digitalisation in Law

The WESMYG project is funded under the security research funding programme KIRAS/K-PASS by the Federal Ministry of Finance and administered by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).