The U.S. Department of Agriculture has given Nebraska permission to blend aflatoxin-tainted corn from the 2012 harvest with other corn for animal feed.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture had joined Iowa and other major corn-producing states in seeking exceptions to federal rules regarding aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are a group of chemicals produced by certain mold fungi on corn. They can occur more frequently during hot, dry summers.

Almost 70 percent of nearly 2,000 samples from the early stages of the Nebraska corn harvest tested positive for aflatoxins.

The agriculture departments say the blended corn is safe for animals. Corn with more than 20 parts per billion can’t be used for human consumption or as feed for dairy animals.