The invisible fungal mycotoxin ochratoxin-A, or OTA, can spoil grain under high moisture and temperature conditions. Though it develops exclusively in stored wheat, oats, barley and other grains, OTA is produced by Penicillium verrucosum, a naturally occurring soil fungus.

Lethbridge Polytechnic was granted its new post-secondary status in September 2024 and has made applied research a high priority since it dropped “College” from its name. Central to this updated focus is the Agriculture Research Innovation Facility (ARIF), which has been in operation since the summer of 2023.