Christmas Trees Edition

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Seasonal pest alerts and news about insects, diseases, and weeds impacting Christmas Tree production including Commercial Ag Updates (meetings and marketing); and Pesticide Program updates from the Rutgers Pest Management Office News Blog.

Companion Website Links:

Rutgers Weather Forecasting - Meteorological Information important to commercial agriculture.

Nursery IPM.

February 24, 2023

December Prices Received by Farmers Data

The ‘December Prices Received by Farmers’ section of the USDA NASS Agriculture Prices publication contains useful price-margins-costs of production forecasting information for producers.

The report highlights prices received by farmers for principal crops, livestock and livestock products; indexes of prices received by farmers; feed price ratios; indexes of prices paid by farmers; and parity prices. Historical data covering years 1910-60 reported in 1962 publication.

To access the December report go to: https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/c821gj76b/gx41nx339/2b88rs02s/agpr0123.txt

Future reports will be released on: Upcoming releases:Feb 28 2023 3:00 PM. Mar 31 2023 3:00 PM. Apr 28 2023 3:00 PM. May 31 2023 3:00 PM. Jun 30 2023 3:00 PM. Jul 28 2023 3:00 PM. Aug 31 2023 3:00 PM. Sep 29 2023 3:00 PM. Oct 31 2023 3:00 PM. Nov 30 2023 3:00 PM. Dec 29 2023 3:00 PM.



Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops 
February 22, 2023 
Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory adds Sulfur to Soil Fertility Analysis


Plant-available sulfur (sulfate) values have been added to Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory fertility reports in the micronutrient reporting line. There are four interpretive categories: Low, Medium-low, Sufficient, and High. An explanatory paragraph follows near the end of the report to help interpret the reported value.


Photo illustrating sulfur deficiency in sweet corn.
Symptoms of sulfur deficiency include yellowing or light green coloring on youngest tissue, thin stems and petioles, slow growth, and delayed maturity. Photo Credit: G. Brust, University of Maryland.


As the interpretative statements within the reports explain, sulfur analysis/interpretation is very complicated (similar to nitrogen) due to the many factors influencing it. Also, there is not full consensus among soil fertility experts on a best extraction method and critical values. Still, the sulfur value on the revised reports will provide an extra degree of information for understanding the soil & plant health. As with all micronutrient interpretations on the reports, the relevant RCE publication is referenced for further information; in the case of sulfur, RCE bulletin E365.


 [Read more…]


Filed Under: Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , , 
February 22, 2023 
Help PA stop Hipath Avian Influenza spread. Sanitize vehicle tires, boots.


With increasing numbers of positive flock detections in Lancaster County, PA, and circulation of the virus in wild birds, please remember to wash farm truck vehicle tires and implement footwear-vehicle-pedal sanitation steps when driving to/from the feed mills, seed stores, and farm machinery dealers located in this region of Pennsylvania.  Map current as of 2-22-2023.


Map of avian spread


The following link will take you to the control zone maps for current detections in Pennsylvania.


https://padeptag.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a9066a3d68a443a08043766cb84bf4ae


Additional information on protecting your backyard flock from exposure to Hipath avian influenza can be found in prior Plant Pest Advisory posts, and at the USDA website, ‘Defend the Flock’. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/defend-the-flock-program


Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops 
February 16, 2023 
National Pesticide Safety Education Month Focuses on Resources and Education to Support Safe Pesticide Handling and Use


Rutgers NJAES celebrates February as National Pesticide Safety Education Month with a selection of opportunities for pesticide applicators to renew their knowledge of pesticide safety and regulations, and earn CORE credits, throughout the month in programs hosted by Rutgers NJAES County Agents and commodity programming, as well as other entities. Enjoy the Weed Science Society […]
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops 
February 7, 2023 
7:30-12.9 Posted Pesticide Safety Information Required for Central Posting Area (downloadable infographic)


EPA first implemented the Federal Worker Protection Standard – CFR Title 40, Part 170 (WPS) regulations in 1994 to provide specific safety requirements for both general agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. The 1992 WPS regulations were revised on November 2, 2015. State regulations may differ, and when more stringent take precedence over federal regulations. The […]
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops 
February 7, 2023 
NJACTS 2023: Resources for New Jersey Licensed Private Pesticide Applicators & Growers


During the NJACTS Winegrape Session on Tuesday morning, attendees at the first presentation “Pesticide Safety & Compliance Tools for New Jersey Winegrape Growers” will receive an overview of recent and  near-future regulatory changes, and then an outline of tools for compliance.  They will also be awarded one CORE credit. We have posted for their convenience “Resources […]
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops