Summary
The contamination of cereals with mycotoxins is a significant economic problem in Austria. It can jeopardise the safety of grain and the products made from it and thus the supply of the domestic population. A forecasting model based on weather data should help to reduce these risks by recognising them at an early stage and thus improve product safety. However, such a model does not currently exist in Austria.
Project description
In the project, mycotoxin analysis results from cereal trials (focus on wheat) and numerous private analyses by the project partners are combined with weather data. Based on this, models are developed that enable early forecasts of mycotoxin contamination with a focus on deoxynivalenol. This allows suitable countermeasures to be taken in good time. The effects on the further use of grain in feed and food production will also be analysed.
Benefits of the project
The project creates a comprehensive database of historical mycotoxin levels and weather data for the most important cereal-growing regions in Austria and, based on this, develops a forecasting model that provides early warnings of mycotoxin contamination. In addition, the various analytical methods used are being evaluated, legal framework conditions are being examined and workshops are being held with relevant stakeholders in order to develop a practical communication workflow for the forecasting system. In this way, the project contributes to reducing economic risks, securing supplies and ensuring the quality and safety of feed and food.
Project details
Project title: Weather data-based system for the prediction of mycotoxin contamination in cereals
Project acronym: WESMYG
Project management: AGES, Sabrina Kuchling
Project partners: Agrana Research and Innovation Centre GmbH (ARIC), Assmannmühlen Ges.m.b.H. (Königshofer Futtermittel), Biomin Holding GmbH, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLRT), Pfahnl Backmittel GmbH (mill), Fa. GoodMills Österreich GmbH, Garant Tiernahrung GmbH, Romer Labs Division Holding GmbH, Kärntner Mühle GmbH, Likra Tierernährung GmbH, Landwirtschaftskammer Österreich (LKÖ), Österreichische Mühlenvereinigung, RWA Raiffeisen Ware Austria AG, Stöber Mühle GmbH, University of Vienna (UNIVIE), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU)
Funding: FFG - KIRAS
Project duration: 11.2025 - 10.2027
Last updated: 22.01.2026
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