The Fusarium head blight (FHB) epidemic in 1993 continues to have negative effects on the entire agriculture sector. The impact on swine is the toxin (called DON) produced by the fungi that is incredibly bad for pigs. Implications put into place to reduce the risk of FHB include genetically disease-resistant cultivars, rotation with non-cereal crops, and doubling the standard seeding rate in order to reduce the amount of tillering.

FHB intervention cannot wait until visual symptoms occur. This can be done with a risk forecast map that takes into account meteorology, pathology, and geographical information systems. Fungicides have a less than satisfying effect. A visual assessment 2-3 weeks after flowering will give an idea of what might be expected in the harvested grain. Leaving the crop standing longer when there are shrunken, lightweight kernels, preferably for straight combining, will lead to more complete deterioration of infected grain.