August 20, 2014

Tomato Observational Trial Descriptions

The 2014 Snyder Farm tomato variety observational trial list, with descriptions and seed sourcing information, is now available. The Rutgers NJAES breeding program, variety evaluations, and consumer tastings contribute to improving the quality and competitiveness of New Jersey tomatoes.

Public taste-testing of these tomato varieties will commence at 3 PM on Wednesday, August 27 at the Great Tomato Tasting Event.

Nitzsche-Tomato

Peter Nitzsche cradles tomato seedling.
Photo by J.Pottheiser


2014 Tomato Tasting Variety List
2014 Tomato Tasting Seed Sources List

Related Articles
– Born Again: Rebirth of the Jersey Tomato
– Improving Quality and Competitiveness of Jersey Tomatoes

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates
July 26, 2014

Plastic Pesticide Container Recycling Earns Pesticide Core Credit

The NJ Dept. of Ag, Helena Chemical, and the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex are offering a series dates for free plastic pesticide container recycling disposal. These are offered to agricultural, professional and commercial applicators holding a NJDEP Pesticide Applicators License. State, county and municipal government agencies may also participate. Spread the word and recruit participants for this free service – we are hoping to exceed last year’s collections.

The NJ Dept. of Ag will be on-site to inspect the containers and issue one Core Credit to license holders who follow the processing guidelines. To receive Credit, participants must bring their Pesticide License and prepare the containers. Core credits will not be issued to participants who do not prepare containers. Dates and locations are listed below.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape
July 18, 2014

Vegetable Twilight Meeting & Field Tour

Date: Thursday, August 21, 2014 5:30pm
Location: RAREC, 121 Northville Rd, Bridgeton, NJ

Click to View Program

Join Rutgers for a twilight meeting in the field to learn about recent innovations for successful control of key vegetable diseases and weeds. Pesticide credits have been requested.

This is your opportunity to bring plant, insect, disease or weed problem samples for identification. Rutgers Cooperative Extension Ag Specialists and County Agents will be on hand for the field tour of research and demonstration plots on managing diseases of pepper, basil downy mildew, and cucurbit downy mildew. View weed control innovations and get updates on tomato variety development and ethnic African vegetables.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Vegetable Crops
July 1, 2014

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.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates
May 19, 2014

Strawberry Producers Twilight Meeting

Growers and produce industry members are invited to Specca Farms on Wed. May 28th at 6:00 PM.

Click to Download Program Flier

Click Image View Program

Join us for food and taste testing the latest Rutgers NJAES strawberry cultivar evaluations. Share a field tour and discussion of new strawberry cultivars. Includes growing systems and marketing tips to renew profitable strawberries with varieties bred for flavor and localized production adaptation.

Specca Farms is located 870 Jacksonville-Mt. Holly Road, (Burlington Co. Route 628), Springfield Twp. NJ 08505. For information call (732) 398-5262 or email Bill Hlubik hlubik@aesop.rutgers.edu or Peter Nitzsche nitzsche@aesop.rutgers.edu. Sponsored by Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension and partially supported by cooperating farmers, the Walmart Foundation, Univ. of Arkansas and NJ Small Fruits Council.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates
March 20, 2014

Don’t Push High Tunnel Early Tomatoes Too Hard

A fast and vigorous start for the high tunnel tomato crop is everyone’s goal. Proper and coordinated irrigation and fertility programs can help.
However, there are limits to how much growers can ‘push’ the crop, especially by feeding it. For fertigated tomato crops, ‘feed and water according to documented need’ may be a useful rule of thumb.
– Matt Kleinhenz, Extension Vegetable Specialist, OSU

There are take home messages for New Jersey growers in this week’s VegNet. Vegetable Extension Specialist Matt Kleinhenz discusses grower calls concerning expectations for early tomatoes in high tunnels.  Go to VegNet Volume 21 Number 2 to read the full article.

  • Light and temperature drive demand for water and nutrients during young crop establishment. Currently, day length is still short, light level and temperatures are low.
  • The higher temperatures seen in the high tunnel does not overcome the starving effect of low light – and may, surprisingly, lead to slower growth of young plants.
  • Optimize irrigation water temperature to avoid adversely impacting soil warming and bathing the root zone in cool water which slows plant growth.
  • Aggressive irrigation and fertility programs during crop establishment cannot override crop physiology and growing conditions.
Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates