Archives for July 2014

Cucurbit Downy Mildew Confirmed in Maryland 7-2-14

Cucurbit downy mildew has been confirmed on cucumber in Caroline County, Maryland.

This is the first report of cucurbit downy mildew in the mid-Atlantic region this growing season. All cucurbit growers should scout their fields on a regular, if not, daily basis. All cucurbit growers should consider switching to a preventative fungicide program that includes downy mildew specific fungicides. For more information, please see the 2014 Commercial Vegetable Fungicide Recommendations Guide.

Audit Ready:
Who Can Accompany You During A Third Party Audit?

Recently, a number of growers have asked:

“Who can accompany me during a third party food safety audit?”

Perhaps you had someone write your farm food safety plan for you or, you have a food safety consultant and you would like them to participate in or attend the audit.

GAP LOGOThe USDA weighed in on this question and stated:
 ” There are no written requirements restricting the number of individuals on an audit. We allow the auditor to make that decision as far as how many people they wish to accompany them. A consultant can accompany the auditor and act as an observer but may not act as a participant in the audit.”

If you would like someone to accompany with you during the audit be sure to ask the inspector where they stand on who may attend the audit with you.

Farmland Leasing Networking for Landowners and Farmers

Interested in farmland leasing? You’re invited to attend a free farmland leasing networking event for landowners and farmers.
The meeting will be hosted July 24, 2014 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County Office, 2 Academy Drive, Westhampton NJ 08060. 
To sign up for this farmland leasing networking, contact the SADC at (609) 984-2504 or email Hillary Barile at hillary.barile@ag.state.nj.us.

Vegetable Disease Briefs 7-1-14

  • Late blight has been confirmed on potato and tomato in Lancaster County, PA and confirmed on potato in west central PA (Cambria County); in potato on Long Island, NY (Suffolk County) and on potato in western NY (Erie County).  To date, no late blight has been reported in NJ. To track late blight in the US please visit http://usablight.org/.
  • Basil downy mildew has been reported in New Jersey. With current weather conditions all basil growers should scout on a daily basis and taking appropriate preventative measures.
  • Cucurbit downy mildew has been reported on cucumber as far north as central North Carolina as of 6/20. No cucurbit downy mildew has been reported in the region to date. To track cucurbit downy mildew in the US please visit http://cdm.ipmpipe.org/

Potato | Tomato Disease Forecast 7-1-14

Click to View | Download Report 7-1-14