Rutgers Cooperative Extension
The FDA has released a fact sheet with multiple resources for produce growers regarding the Food Safety Modernization Act. Included resources are:
For more information click on the highlighted “fact sheet” words above.
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is the most sweeping reform of food safety laws in over 70 years. Signed January 4, 2011 by President Obama, FSMA aims to create an integrated food safety system and improve the quality of food products to the public by reducing foodborne illness.
On January 4, 2013, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued two major proposed FSMA rules:
• The proposed rule to establish standards for the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption (the produce safety proposed rule); and
• The current good manufacturing practice and hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls for human food (the preventive controls proposed rule).
In the Federal Register of January 16, 2013 (78 FR 3503 and 78 FR 3646), FDA announced the establishment of two dockets so that the public can review the produce safety proposed rule and the preventive controls proposed rule and submit comments to the Agency. In the Federal Register of August 8, 2013, the Agency extended the comment period for an additional 60 days until November 15, 2013. This is the second and final extension of the comment period for these two rules.
There are two ways to comment:
Comment electronically at:
• Preventive Controls Rule
Written comments may be faxed to the FDA at 301-827-6870 or you may mail them to:
Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305)
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
October 22, 2013
Rutgers EcoComplex
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Free of Charge
Sponsored by: New Jersey Department of Agriculture and New Jersey Farm Burea
For more details click the highlighted link.
Basil downy mildew remains active. The weather this time of year is ideal for downy mildew development across many crops. Growers should remain diligent going into the fall with regular scouting and preventative fungicide applications. [Read more…]
Mark VanGessel, Extension Weed Specialist; mjv@udel.edu
For no-till fields, a non-selective herbicide needs to be used prior to planting. If grasses or perennial weeds are present, glyphosate is a better choice than paraquat. Fields worked with a vertical tillage implement for residue management still need a non-selective herbicide. These implements are not weed control tools.
There are few effective herbicides labeled for preemergence applications. Sharpen is labeled but we have limited data in the region. Valor can be used at 1 to 2 oz with the burndown application, but there must be a 7 day period between application and planting wheat. Valor is not labeled for barley.
Axiom and Prowl H2O can be used at crop emergence (Axiom at the spike stage and Prowl H2O at 1 leaf stage, winter wheat only). Neither provides control of emerged weeds but can have utility in situations of needing limited residual control shortly after planting.
Products that provide postemergence control include: Harmony, Harmony Extra, Starane Ultra, Osprey, PowerFlex, Axial XL, or 2,4-D. Other labeled herbicides with a limited fit include Finesse and Maverick.
Control of annual ryegrass has been good with Opsrey, PowerFlex, or Axial XL. However, ALS-resistant ryegrass has been identified in Delaware and these populations will not be controlled by Osprey or PowerFlex. Furthermore, Finesse will not control these populations. In situations where ALS resistance is suspected, Axial XL is the best postemergence option.
ALS-resistant common chickweed has been confirmed in Delaware. These biotypes are not controlled with Harmony Extra, Osprey, PowerFlex or Finesse. Currently, Starane Ultra has showed the best activity, often not killing common chickweed, but providing good suppression. Starane Ultra can be used either in the fall or spring.
Vegetable IPM Report 9-25-13 – Click to View | Download | Print
Current Week’s Pest Maps – Available Maps for the week are highlighted
