Archives for August 2021

Federally Required Produce Safety Alliance Training Online September 15 and 16, 2021

The Produce Safety Rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act is now fully implemented.  This means that one person from an operation who sells over $25,000 in fresh produce needs to attend a training course.  There are some exemptions and modifications to the rule, but the best way to find out is to attend the course.  We will have the next online training September 15 and 16 if 10 people register by September 1.  The preregistration is required since training material must be sent to each participant prior to the training.  Visit our website to register.

Produce Safety Training:

The Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under the standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration’.  This is the only training recognized by the FDA at this time!

Fruit and vegetables growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management of natural resources and food safety should also attend this training.

What to Expect at the PSA Grower Training Course?

This is approximately a seven-hour course to cover these seven modules:

  • Introduction to Produce Safety
  • Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
  • Soil Amendments
  • Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use
  • Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)
  • Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
  • How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan

In addition to learning about produce safety best practices, parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module and are included in the grower manual provided.  There is time for questions and discussion, so participants are encouraged to share their experiences and produce safety questions.

Benefits of Attending the Course

The course provides a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan.  Individuals who participate in this course are expected to gain a basic understanding of:

  • Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be found on the farm
  • How to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm
  • Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
  • Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.

After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course.  To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to the trainers at the end of the course.

Inspections:

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) began inspections for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for operations over $500,000.  The other size operations will also be delayed by one year i.e. 2020 for small operations and 2021 for very small operations.  The first inspections will be educational with the NJDA evaluating the farming operation.  This will give the grower an opportunity to see what the NJDA considers area where improvement may be needed.  After the inspection NJDA may do another inspection with possible enforcement in the future.

Harvesting forage and cover crops on prevent plant acreage

USDA’s Risk Management Agency updated their 2021 ‘Prevented Planting Coverage’ in July. This update allows crops planted on insured acreage to be harvested as forage, including cover crops, without resulting in a penalty or reduction of payment if certain conditions apply.

https://rma.usda.gov/News-Room/Frequently-Asked-Questions/Prevented-Planting-Coverage

Scroll down on their page ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ and read the “What are my options for planting forage on prevented planting acres?” sample questions and example scenarios. And the same question is posed related to planting a cover crop. 

 

Pre-Harvest Drop Control for Apples

Now is the Time to Consider Applying…

Stop Drop PGRs for Early/Mid-Season Apples

As apples mature they produce the hormone ethylene.  Ethylene induces stem loosening which results in pre-harvest drop of apples.

Luckily there are several tools that when applied at optimal times can aid in the management of pre-harvest drop of apples.

*Prior to the application of any product though, remember to read and follow the product label, because the label is the law.

 

ReTain 

Active Ingredient: AVG (aminoethoxyvinylglycine)

This product slows starch disappearance, fruit softening, stem loosening and red color development.

These benefits result in:

Expansion of the harvest window by minimizing pre-harvest drop and retaining fruit firmness.

Enhancement of fruit size since fruit are given more time to hang onto the tree.

Color enhancement due to exposure to improved weather for fruit coloring (warm sunny days and cool nights).

Application Timing: For maximum efficacy ReTain must be applied 4 weeks prior to harvest.

Single Pick Varieties

For single pick early season varieties, establish the ‘usual’ harvest time for the variety, and if the season is running early adjust the date earlier (accordingly).  Once an accurate estimated harvest date is established count back four weeks.  This timepoint plus 7 days is the spray window for ReTain for that variety.

Calculate the spray timing for later season, single pick varieties in a similar way.  However, later varieties generally do not need harvest date adjustment due to seasonal variation in the same way early season varieties do.

Multiple Pick Varieties i.e. Gala and Honeycrisp

Spray timing for these varieties is 7 to 14 days prior to harvest/first pick.  Note that ReTain will not effect the first harvest/pick but will provide stop drop control for later season picks.

Variety Response to ReTain and Rate:

*When applying ReTain be sure to include 100% Organosilicate surfactant @ 12 ounces/100 gallons.

*Ensure there will be 6 hours of drying time after the application.

 

Harvista

Active Ingredient: 1-MCP (1-Methylcyclopropene)

Much like ReTain this product slows starch disappearance, fruit softening, red color development and pre-harvest drop.

It should be applied within 3 days prior to harvest, much closer to the time of harvest than a ReTain application.

This product is a bit more complicated to use in that it must be applied via a proprietary in-line injector system.

NAA (Multiple Formulations)

Active Ingredient: NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid)

This product provides what is considered a rescue treatment for control of fruit drop.

Application Timing: Optimum timing of spray is a couple days prior to harvest.

One application of 10 ppm NAA will provide 7-10 days of drop control.

A two part spray of 10 ppm, one a couple days prior to harvest and a second 5 days later will provide 10-14 days of drop control.

Keep it mind it takes ~2-3 days for the sprays to take effect.

*Apply with a nonionic or organosilicate surfactant.

*Spray when the temperatures are in the mid 70’s.  If the temperature is too hot, fruit ripening can be accelerated.

 

For additional details on utilizing plant growth regulators for harvest management read:

Apple PGRs – Prevention of Preharvest Drop in Apple Orchards – Production and Harvesting – Fruit – Forage and Food Crops (psu.edu)

NJDEP has extended 100% online pesticide credits (CEUs) for applicators with recertification periods ending Oct. 31 2021 and now 2022

NJDEP has extended 100% online pesticide recertification credits (CEUs) for applicators with 5-year recertification periods ending Oct. 31 2021 AND now 2022 (NOTE: if your recertification periods ends in 2023 or beyond, you will still be held to only acquiring 25% of your recertification credits via online means, as of now).

Update from the  NJDEP’s PCP website (click here for more information)

“Based on the current COVID 19 public health emergency, the Department has extended an interim policy allowing 100% online CEUs for remaining credits to accommodate for applicators whose 5-year recertification cycle ends October 31, 2021 and 2022. To verify if you are eligible, please click HERE.

Numerous online CEU courses are available and the Department continues to work directly with course providers to maintain an adequate number of online courses and CEUs while ensuring providers adhere to minimal online modality standards including student ID verification and class monitoring. For a list of available online CEU courses and providers, please click HERE.

Based on this interim policy, license recertification dates will not be extended. The Department anticipates that those licenses expiring in 2023 and beyond will be held to the standard maximum of 25% online training CEUs, however further policy adjustments will be considered based on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

Cash rental rates released by NASS

The Cash Rents Survey estimates have been published by the National Agriculture Statistical Survey Office. Survey responders reported an average cropland rental rate of $76/acre across the state ranging from $46 an acre on average for pasture; $66/acre on average for non-irrigated cropland; and $128/acre on average for irrigated cropland. The link to the data is:

https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Cash_Rents_by_County/

State average cash rentals by year: Url shortener: 2021 Cash Rents by State NASS Data

County level by year cash rental rates: Url shortener: Past Year’s Cash Rents NJ NASS

 

 

USDA Surveying Producers Small Grain Production

USDA to Measure Small Grain Production

“HARRISBURG, PA – During the first two weeks of September, a sample of small grains growers around the country will receive Agricultural Survey questionnaires from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2021 production and supply of small grains, including wheat, oats, barley, and rye. ” – August 13, 2021 News Release

To read the full announcement go to: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/New_Jersey/Publications/Current_News_Release/2021/2021_Sept_Ag_Area_Survey_News_Release.pdf