Small Town News

North Dakota grain elevators take part in Karnal bunt survey

---

North Dakota grain elevators are taking part in an annual survey to protect American wheat exports by demonstrating that the grain is free of a fungal disease called Karnal bunt.

"During harvest season, participating elevators take samples from the wheat that farmers bring in, " said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. "These samples are tested to ensure that they are not infected with Karnal bunt."

The national survey was begun in 1996.

"I am glad to say that in the 15 years of the survey, Karnal bunt has never been detected in North Dakota, " Goehring said.

Goehring said 65 North Dakota elevators across the state were selected for this year's survey. A North Dakota Department of Agriculture seasonal employee picks up the four-pound samples, which are then sent to a U.S. Department of Agriculture laboratory in Olney, Texas, for analysis.

"This survey enables our plant protection personnel to certify our wheat as free from Karnal bunt, " Goehring said. "This certification is required by many countries that buy wheat from us."

Karnal bunt was first discovered in wheat from Karnal, India, in 1931. It is now found in all Indian wheat-growing states, as well as Pakistan, Iraq, Mexico, Nepal, Syria and Afghanistan. It has also been found in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. Small production areas from three Arizona counties and one California county are currently regulated by USDA.

Karnal bunt is a minor disease of wheat but is regulated by a number of U.S. trading partners. Karnal bunt has an insignificant effect on yield and poses no health risk If found in sufficient quantity, it can give wheat and durum products an unpleasant odor.

Goehring said the survey work will wrap up in September.

According to USDA, exports of wheat and wheat products from North Dakota in 2009 were valued at $1.15 billion.



Copyright 2010 Turtle Mountain Star, Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 Turtle Mountain Star Rolla, North Dakota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

More from Turtle Mountain Star