The excessive amount of rainfall in October (5.06 inches) delayed planting of winter wheat and other fall grain cover crops in some areas of the state. As recorded by the Rutgers NJ State Climatologist Monthly Climate Tables, in Salem County, the precipitation in October (3.74 inches) was near normal (30-year average) and temperatures averaged a high of 63.2 degrees F. Small grains that benefited from this moisture put on more above ground biomass than November plantings if they were not planted in overly saturated soil conditions conducive for causing poor stand establishment.

In November, state-wide saw only .98 inches fall compared to the norm of 3.36 inches. In Salem County, the deficit was even more, with only .72 inches falling compared to the norm of 3.18 inches with temperature highs of 44.7 degrees. Carry over moisture from October should have been adequate in most areas of the county to optimize seed germination. Late plantings in December were possible due to above normal temperatures of 43.9 degrees, but soil moisture was lacking due to only 1.18 inches falling compared to the thirty-year average of 4.0 inches.

The back-to-back months of little precipitation coupled with windy conditions did not yield rapid development of the crop compared to field observations in 2020. Despite the near normal precipitation state-wide in January (3.45 inches) small grains gained little beyond shoot and early tillering stage with average temperature highs of only 28.7 degrees state-wide and 31.4 degrees in the county the first month of 2022.

Temperatures were all over the place in February with two days above 70 degrees the week of February 20^th in Salem County, enough to bring winter wheat out of dormancy since February 7^th. Near normal precipitation (2.88 inches) in February encouraged growth and applications of nitrogen fertilizer are ongoing as the crop rapidly develops.

Nitrogen fertilizer prices have climbed steadily since this time last year, and more than doubled since the crop was planted in October. The combination of moisture, warm weather and soil conditions should optimize any recent applications. Areas that received more than a half an inch in the last seventy-two hours (Estimated Precipitation, Mid-Atlantic River Forecast Center)  should monitor moisture conditions carefully to track utilization of applied nitrogen if future precipitation exceeds 3 inches in the next two weeks. In February, nitrogen prices were still well above $600 /ton for products like UAN28, UAN32 and Urea. DAP, MAP, and Potash remained above $800/ton and anhydrous ammonia soared above $1000/ton.

Fertilizer pricing real time:

• The CRU FertilizerWeek1 tweets on the impact of the war with Ukraine provide a useful snapshot of the volatility in the market. https://twitter.com/FertilizerWeek1/status/1499759162900762626/photo/1
• Barchart: https://www.barchart.com/futures/quotes/JC*1
• Progressive Farmer DTN: All commodities: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/home

February 28, 2022,

In light of the High Path Avian Influenza detections in January and February in wild birds (mallards, geese, etc.) and domesticated birds (commercial poultry and backyard flocks) in several states including Delaware, Maine, and New York, please take a moment to become familiar with the following resources and attend the two webinars this week on March 1 at 7 pm and March 3 at 2:30 pm. See links at the bottom of this page.

USDA Current Outbreak Detections:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-2022

USDA Defend the Flock Steps:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/defend-the-flock-hpai

USDA Defend the Flock Resources:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/dtf-resources/dtf-resources

Information on the Indemnification Payment Eligibility and Process:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/downloads/hpai_flat_rate.pdf

The NJ Dept. Agriculture information on High Path Avian Influenza link is: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/

The NJ Dept Agriculture Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory information is: https://nj.gov/agriculture/ahdl/

Upcoming Webinars to Attend this Week

Penn State Extension is hosting a webinar on HPAI and biosecurity in small poultry flocks. Tuesday March 01 at 7 – 8:30 pm. No charge. https://web.cvent.com/event/2076c179-f94c-4abb-bbfe-b19c6ad3190a/summary

USDA APHIS Defend the Flock program is hosting a free webinar on Thursday, March 3rd at 2:30pm ET for new or small flock owners this week as part of bird health awareness week. You can register for the webinar by using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mDQlu5S-SBK1nkEVsMODVQ

Additional Resources

Pasture Poultry Talk on High Path Avian Influenza: https://pasturedpoultrytalk.com/2022/02/18/a-discussion-on-highly-pathogenic-avian-influence-and-pastured-poultry/

February 4 2022,

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in wild birds in South Carolina and North Carolina. Wild birds can be infected with HPAI and show no signs of illness. They can carry the disease to new areas when migrating. APHIS anticipates additional wild bird findings as robust wild bird sampling program continues into the spring. – For the full press release see the APHIS website. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2022/hpai-detections-sc-nc

NJ Poultry Owners: “Each year as spring arrives across the country, many people start or grow their backyard poultry flocks and this year in particular, the number of new flock keepers appears to be growing quickly. The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has an educational campaign that offers many resources to help protect the health of all poultry flocks. The Defend the Flock campaign focuses on sharing good biosecurity practices that, when practiced every day, every time, will help protect poultry from infectious diseases. Many new owners are starting from scratch and the best time to implement strong biosecurity is right from the start. The Defend the Flock Resource Center brings together biosecurity information and free resources from USDA and other experts, including growers, veterinarians, state agencies, scientists, and industry professionals. All the information you need to practice good biosecurity is available here, including checklists, resource guides, videos, and other tools.” For detailed information on steps to take to protect your flock go to the USDA Defend The Flock Website.  https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/news/sa_by_date/sa-2020/backyard-poultry-keeper-resources

NJ PRODUCERS: WHERE TO REPORT SICK BIRDS OR UNEXPLAINED DEATHS

All poultry owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, need to report sick or unexplained bird deaths to State/Federal officials immediately. For small flocks, this can include deaths of one bird per day for two days in a row. For more information or to report sick or dead poultry contact:  New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health 609-671-6400 or state.veterinarian@ag.nj.gov -OR- USDA APHIS Veterinary Services NJ Area Office 609-259-5260 or toll-free at 1-866-536-7593. To Report Sick/Dead Wild Birds, Wild Waterfowl, Raptors, Shorebirds or Gulls: USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, 908-735-5654 ext. 2 or call NJDEP Hotline, toll free, 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337). Check the State website for current updates regularly at:  https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/diseases/avian_influenza.html#4

County Resources: If you are located in Salem, Cumberland, or Gloucester counties, consider joining the South Jersey Poultry Association, a group that meets virtually and holds on farm pasture walks related to the Defend The Flock Program. To enroll, take the survey here, and email Melissa Bravo at Salem County Cooperative Extension at melissa.bravo@njaes.rutgers.edu. The office also has a supply of biosecurity on farm posters provided by APHIS Veterinary Services and the Department of Agriculture.

Host a local meeting for neighbors. Host a virtual meeting and invite your local extension office Agents, staff and an APHIS PPQ Veterinarian, State of NJ Veterinarian or Fish, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologist to meet with your group to discuss the Defend the Flock Program, biosecurity measures to protect poultry, steps to take to minimize contact with wild birds, receive updated information on past and current health alerts and talk about concerns regarding the impact to your operation. For assistance in connecting with speakers, contact Melissa Bravo at melissa.bravo@njaes.rutgers.edu.