Archives for July 2022

July 20, 2022

Quick Tips to Beat the Heat

Daily high temperatures over the next 10 days will soar above 90 degrees each day, with the real feel exceeding 100 degrees at times. It’s important to take precautions to keep you and your workers safe from heat stress and other heat-related illnesses. Check out these 5 quick tips you can implement today to safeguard everyone on your farm during this extreme heat.

worker harvesting zucchini

USDA photo by Lance Cheung.

  1. Stay hydrated. The CDC recommends drinking at least 1 cup of water every 15-20 minutes during moderate activity. For more on hydration, see this factsheet from NIOSH.
  2. Dress appropriately. Choose light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of cotton or linen. Protect yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
  3. Acclimatize employees to working in the heat. Gradual exposure to work in a hot environment is critical for both new and experienced employees. To learn more about acclimatization, check out this factsheet from NIOSH.
  4. Adjust workload. Plan strenuous tasks for cooler parts of the day, increase the number of workers per task to lighten workload, and shorten work periods to allow for breaks in the shade (at least) hourly. NIOSH offers recommendations for work/rest schedules to decrease risk of heat illness in this factsheet.
  5. Train employees to recognize signs of heat stress. Heat-related illnesses can range from heat rash to heat stroke. Review this NIOSH web page on heat-related illnesses to inform employees about symptoms and first aid response to each illness.
Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates Tagged With: , ,
July 19, 2022

FDA Proposes Compliance Date Extension for Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Requirements

On July 18, 2022 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to extend the compliance dates for the pre-harvest agricultural water provisions as outlined in the recent 2021 agricultural water proposed rule.

The 2021 agricultural water proposed rule, if finalized, will require farms to conduct annual systems-based agricultural water assessments to determine and guide appropriate measures to minimize potential risks associated with pre-harvest agricultural water. The FDA is now proposing extended compliance dates for those proposed pre-harvest requirements and is also providing clarifying information about the enforcement discretion policy for the harvest and post-harvest agricultural water requirements.

The supplemental rulemaking proposes to establish the following compliance dates for the pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for covered produce other than sprouts:

  • 2 years and 9 months after the effective date of a final rule for very small businesses;
  • 1 year and 9 months after the effective date of a final rule for small businesses; and
  • 9 months after the effective date of a final rule for all other businesses.

Note:  These compliance dates only go into effect when the rule is finalized which we have no information when that will occur!

Compliance Dates for Harvest and Post-Harvest Agricultural Water Requirements

The 2021 pre-harvest agricultural water proposed rule did not propose substantive changes to the harvest and post-harvest agricultural water requirements in the Produce Safety Rule; however, the FDA recognizes that prior to the proposal, stakeholders did not have clarity on whether FDA might propose to change the harvest and post-harvest agricultural water requirements. In addition, the FDA recognizes that adequate training and technical assistance are needed to fully recognize the benefits of the harvest and post-harvest requirements. Therefore, we intend to continue enforcement discretion for the harvest and post-harvest agricultural water requirements of the Produce Safety regulation until the following dates:

  • January 26, 2025, for very small businesses;
  • January 26, 2024, for small businesses; and
  • January 26, 2023, for all other businesses.

We are reopening the comment period only with respect to the proposed compliance dates for the pre-harvest agricultural water provisions until September 19, 2022. Comments should be submitted to docket FDA-2021-N-0471 on Regulations.gov.

As has been done with other FSMA rules, the FDA plans to take an “educate before and while we regulate” posture as we begin implementing the harvest and post-harvest requirements. For the first year of compliance, the FDA intends to work closely with state, other regulatory, and industry partners to advance training, technical assistance, educational visits and on-farm readiness reviews to prepare both growers and state regulators for implementing these provisions prior to initiating routine inspections verifying compliance. The FDA will provide further communications as additional resources become available.

Additional Information

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
July 19, 2022

Pumpkin Pollination and Weather Conditions

With high temperatures this week and predicted for next week, there are concerns about pollination of pumpkin and other crops. Flower bud abortion can occur if temperatures are in the high 70’s at night or in high 90’s during the day for several consecutive days. Heat stress causes other issues with plant functions and plant health. However, for crops that need pollination, it is especially stressful when hot and dry weather conditions occur.

Honeybees, bumblebees, squash bees, and many other solitary bees will pollinate pumpkin flowers. Pumpkin flowers only live a few hours after blooming and then go limp and close. Therefore, they must be pollinated during the brief window when they are open. It is important to keep adequate soil moisture during pollination to help foster flower health, pollen quality, and good pollen acceptance by the stigma. Pollination cannot occur if the buds and flowers don’t form properly. Irrigation is recommended, as well as other plant health maintenance practices to keep pumpkin roots, vines, flowers and fruit growing properly during this heat wave and throughout the season.

Some other factors to consider in the future to ensure adequate pollination include:

1. Keep plant populations at recommended rates to not have excessive foliage. The nice thing about pumpkin vines is once they cover the ground, they make for good weed competition. However, too much leaf cover and high plant densities can hinder pollinators from locating flowers under the canopy. Additionally, too much foliage causes plants to remain wet for longer periods of time, encouraging fungal diseases.

2. Do not rely solely on native bee populations and investigate hive rentals to accentuate populations of pollinators.

3. Excessive plant growth in response to higher-than-recommended nitrogen applications can also delay flowering and fruit set. Therefore, do not over-fertilize pumpkins. This is true for all growth stages, but especially before fruit set.

4. Besides poor plant/flower quality, drought can lead to a higher than normal male/female flower ratio, resulting fewer pumpkins per plant.

For more information about pollination see the 2022/2023 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendations pages 27-33.

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops Tagged With:
July 19, 2022

Edema development in brassica crops

Edema is often expressed as off-color swellings or galls that appear on leaves and stems. Edema develops when epidermal cells hold excessive water due to a slowing of evapotransporation when hot, muggy days are followed by cooler, wetter weather. Edema develops because the plant takes in more water (due to a high soil moisture content) faster than it can get rid of it through evapotranspiration causing cells to rupture which results in the blistering of the leaves. Edema is strictly caused by environmental factors and can appear whenever these conditions are met. Properly monitor soil conditions, irrigation cycles, and the weather to avoid over irrigating on warm, hot early spring days, especially when quick cold fronts/temperature drops and cloudy weather are expected.

Symptoms of edema on collard leaf. Note the off-color appearance of leaf surface.

Symptoms of edema on top side of
collard leaf.
Note the off-color appearance of leaf surface.

Edema, bottom side of collard leaf. Note the irregular, 'corky appearance caused bythe rupture of leaf cells.

Edema, bottom side of collard leaf.
Note irregular, “corky” appearance due to leaf cell rupture.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With:
July 18, 2022

Tree Fruit IPM Report for July 19, 2022

Peach:

Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/11 in southern counties, and on 4/14 in northern counties. The third generation timings are updated below.

Insecticide Type
County/Region Degree Days by  7/8 base 45 Conventional

2000-2100 2350-2450

 Diamide

2025–2150 2375-2450
Gloucester – Southern 1772 1st –7/16-7/18

2nd –7/26-7/28

 1st –7/16-7/19

2nd –7/26-7/28
Middlesex – Northern 1701 1st –7/17-7/20

2nd –7/26-7/28

 1st –7/17-7/21

2nd –7/26-7/28

 

 

 

 

Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetles have emerged and have been observed in some orchards. Products containing imidacloprid (Admire Pro, etc.) are effective and have a short preharvest interval. See the Tree Fruit Production guide for more information.

Tarnished Plant Bugs; and Other Catfacing Insects: Catfacing insect activity is increasing with the arrival of hot weather and is present at moderate to high levels in some orchards.

Scale Insects: First generation San Jose Scale crawler emergence is over. The next crawler emergence will start in late mid to late July for both San Jose and White Peach scale and will last well into August. White Peach scale has a third generation in September and San Jose scale may have a third generation in October. Esteem, Centaur and Movento are all good scale materials. Esteem and Centaur should be applied at the start of crawler emergence. Movento should be applied before the start of the crawler emergence and needs to be applied with a penetrant. Observations over the years indicate that Movento may not work well as we move into late summer especially on Pome Fruit. Other options include the neonicitinoids (Assail, Belay, Actara), Closer, Sivanto and Venerate. Some may need more than one application.

Apples and Pears:

Diseases: Summer scab, rots and sooty blotch and fly speck are the main targets at this stage. Where scab is present rely primarily on protectant fungicides. Last year Captan plus a phosphorous acid like Prophyt was observed to slow scab development as well as provide good summer disease control. Bitter Rot symptoms are now appearing in susceptible varieties.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs: Brown Marmorated Stink bugs are present at low to moderate levels in orchards statewide. See the NJ Tree Fruit Production guide for effective materials.

Codling Moth (CM): Timings for the second generation are updated below.  A biofix was set for CM on April 25th in southern counties, and May 6 in Northern counties (Middlesex County). Estimated timings for the second generation are updated below.

Codling Moth Degree Day Timing
Application and Insecticide Type
County Area Biofix Intrepid; Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes:

1150-1200 +

1450-1500 DD

 

 Cyd-X, Madex

1250 DD + every 7-9 days during brood hatch (later if first spray is an IGR)

 Standard Insecticides –  Delegate, Avaunt, OP’s, carbamates, pyrethroids

1250 DD +

1550-1600 DD

 
DD 1150-1200 1450-1500 1250 1250 1550-1600
Southern April 25 Past 7/15-7/17 Past Past 7/19-7/21
Northern May 6 Past 7/17-7/19 Past Past 7/21-7/23

Scale Insects: For San Jose scale see the peach section above.

Grape

Grape Berry Moth: The next timing for Grape Berry Moth will be on or about 5/24 for Intrpeid or Diamides, or a few days later for other insecticides.

Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetle pressure is high compared to other years. Many insecticides are effective for JB. See the NJ Commercial Grape Production Guide for more information.

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Southern Counties

Weekending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/9/2022 2 0 0
4/16/2022 0 2 3
4/23/2022 11 0 0 28 5 0 0
4/30/2022 5 0 1 31 4 0 0
5/7/2022 5 1 3 50 4 0 0
5/14/2022 8 5 3 19 2 0 0
5/21/2022 3 5 5 20 2 7 3
5/28/2022 0 19 3 13 0 11 36
6/4/2022 0 10 3 5 1 13 49 0
6/11/2022 0 9 2 6 36 0 8 47 3
6/18/2022 0 4 1 0 62 0 3 13 1
6/25/2022 16 0 0 6 3 16 0 0 18 4
7/2/2022 24 0 0 6 3 24 0 0 18 4
7/9/2022 10 4 2 15 6 31 0 0 15 3
7/16/2022 2 0 7 1 5 12 0 0 5 7

 

Tree  Fruit Trap Counts – Northern Counties

Weekending STLM TABM-A CM BMSB OFM-A DWB OFM-P TABM-P LPTB PTB
4/9/2022
4/16/2022 0 0 1
4/23/2022 0 0 2 0
4/30/2022 0 0 2.5 0
5/7/2022 0 1 4 0
5/14/2022 1 2 0 5 0.5 0 0
5/21/2022 6 8 4 27 2 5 6 5 0
5/28/2022 34 19 3 6 13 1 23 15 0
6/4/2022 17 21 4 4 11 1 27 17 0
6/11/2022 22 25 2 1 4 0 30 9 0
6/18/2022 66 20 2 2 2 5 2 27 7 0
6/25/2022 58 21 1 8 8 2 4 22 4 0
7/2/2022 55 7 1 1 14 15 2 9 4 1
7/9/2022 60 3 1 2 8 20 2 4 5 1
7/16/2022 64 1 1 3 2 19 3 1 4 3

 

Pest Event or Growth Stage Approximate Date 2022 Observed Date
 Bud Swell (Redhaven)  March 23 +/- 15 Days March 20
1/4″ Green Tip Red Delicious March 31 +/- 13 Days March 21
Pink Peach (Redhaven) April 4 +/- 15 Days March 31
Tight Cluster Red Delicious April 9 +/- 13 Days March 31
Full Bloom Peach (Redhaven) April 9 +/- 14 Days April 10
Pink Apple (Red Delicious) April 14 +/- 12 Days April 14
Full Bloom Apple (Red Delicious) April 22 +/- 11 Days April 21
Petal Fall (Redhaven) April 22 +/- 10 Days April 14
Petal Fall (Red Delicious) April 27 +/- 13 Days May 3
Shuck Split (Redhaven) April 30 +/- 11 Days April 26
Pit Hardening June 15 +/- 9 Days June 10

 

Filed Under: Tree Fruit, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
July 18, 2022

Recovering from hail damage

squash hail

Squash transplants destroyed by hail.

Parts of New Jersey have been hit with heavy rain this past week and more is expected over the next few days. Remember, the wounds on stems, leaves, and fruit of vegetable plants created by hail damage opens the plant up to fungal and bacterial infections. Hail, on most occasions, comes down in narrow streaks so one part of a field may be heavily damaged while another part may look completely untouched.  For operations who have been hit with hail, growers need to carefully walk fields and assess the amount and severity of damage done. Growers should also carefully inspect for any damage in transplant trays that may be waiting outside prior to transplanting.

In order to reduce the chances for bacterial and fungal infections, growers should consider applying a disinfestant, such as Oxidate or OLF. Remember, products such as Oxidate, only kill what they come into direct contact with and should be applied as a stand alone between a standard weekly protectant fungicide program.

Filed Under: Vegetable Crops Tagged With: