Commercial Ag Updates + Farm Food Safety

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Ag Agents provide updates on what they see in the field, upcoming events, and other important news that affects your operation, such as developments in on-farm Food Safety. Subscribe if you wish to be notified about workshops, meetings, and upcoming commercial ag events.
 
Subscriptions are available via EMAIL and RSS.

July 20, 2026 and

August Twilight Meeting for Vegetable Growers

Roadside sign for the Rutgers Snyder Research and Extension Farm.Join us for a Research Twilight Meeting at the picturesque Rutgers Snyder Research and Extension Farm on Wednesday, August 12, 2026!

Attendees will gain practical information on management of corn earworm and cucurbit downy mildew paired with timely reminders on resistance management. We will tour the research plots and share updates on the current research activities underway, including new technology (drones, biodegradable mulch, autonomous robots) and updates on the IR-4 and tomato breeding programs. Pesticide recertification credits have been requested for CORE, PP2, 1A, and 10. See the full agenda below.

The meeting will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Arrive on time for a light dinner thanks to sponsorship from the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey.  Please note the address of the farm is 140 Locust Grove Rd, Pittstown, NJ 08867. 

We request that you RSVP by August 10 so we may plan for the meal and the number of wagons needed. To RSVP, please complete this form or contact Ashley Higgins at higgins@somersetcountynj.gov or 908-526-6293.

5:00 PM – Sign-In at Main Building, Load Wagon, Welcome Remarks 

5:15 PM – Insecticide Resistance: Recognition and Management (30 min) 

  • Grayson Tung, Senior Coordinator, Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP), Rutgers University 

5:45 PM – Corn Earworm Management: Bt Corn Variety Trial & Alternative Insecticides (30 min)  

  • David Hlubik, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County 
  • Amanda Quadrel, Senior IPM Program Coordinator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 

6:15 PM – Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Evaluation in Tomato (15 min) 

  • David Hlubik, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Burlington County 

6:30 PM – Drone-Seeded Cover Crops into a Standing Pumpkin Crop (15 min) 

  • Kate Brown, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County 
  • Peter Nitzsche, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County 

6:45 PM – Cucurbit Downy Mildew: Monitoring and Management (30 min) 

  • Amanda Quadrel, Senior IPM Program Coordinator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 
  • Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology, Rutgers NJAES 
  • Stephen Komar, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Sussex County 
  • Peter Nitzsche, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County 

7:15 PM – Updates from the Scarlet Sunrise Tomato Breeding Program (15 min)  

  • Peter Nitzsche, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County 

7:30 PM – Organic, Interrow Weed Management in Bell Pepper: An Economic Comparison (15 min) 

  • Kate Brown, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County 
  • Meredith Melendez, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County 
  • Sophie Lee, Extension Specialist in Farm Viability, Rutgers NJAES 
  • Thierry Besanҫon, Extension Specialist in Weed Science for Specialty Crops, Rutgers NJAES 

7:45 PM – Overview of the IR-4 Project and On-Site Trials (15 min) 

  • Peter Nitzsche, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Morris County  
  • Jennifer Fisher, Field Research Director, IR-4 Project, Rutgers University 

8:00 PM – Return to Main Building, Sign Out, and Depart 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Organic Production, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: ,
July 16, 2026 , , and

Letter from New Jersey Department of Agriculture concerning cyclospora

There have been several reports concerning Cyclospora in the news lately and the NJDA and Rutgers Cooperative Extension wanted to update growers as to the status in New Jersey.  Below is a statement from NJDA.

 

Dear New Jersey Residents and Consumers,

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture wants to emphasize that no produce coming from New Jersey farms has been linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak. To date, no New Jersey-grown produce has been identified as a source of cyclosporiasis cases. National and New Jersey health officials and experts are continuing to investigate the outbreak and monitor any cases.

Our Jersey Fresh farmers meet the high-quality standards imposed not only by their own compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) but also with the quality-grading standards of the Jersey Fresh program.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture will continue keeping the public informed about any produce categories grown in New Jersey that have been identified by health experts as being a risk.

To help protect against cyclosporiasis and other foodborne illnesses, NJDOH and NJDA recommend:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water, even if you plan to peel them.
  • Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
  • Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing or eating.
  • Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables promptly.

 

Edward D. Wengryn

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, vegetable, Vegetable Crops
July 13, 2026

Fillable Forms Now Requested by NJDEP Pesticide Control for Worker Protection Standards Training

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Pesticide Control Program is asking farmers to now use the fillable rosters for the required Worker Protection Standards training for both the “Handler” and “Worker” categories. Please see the correspondence from NJDEP PCP at the end of this article. The Handler rosters are the only rosters required to be sent to DEP after training workers as pesticide handlers. The Worker rosters are to be kept on file on the farm. Handler rosters must be sent to NJDEP within 30 days of training.

Fillable Handler Form https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/pesticides/bpc/wps/handler.pdf

Fillable Worker Form https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/pesticides/bpc/wps/worker.pdf

To contact NJDEP Pesticide Control Program, their address, phone and email are below:

Address: NJDEP Pesticide Control Program, 401 East State Street, Mail Code 401-04A, P.O. Box 420
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420

Phone: 609-984-6568

Email: wpspesticides@dep.nj.gov

Email correspondence received from NJDEP PCP on July 8, 2026:

Dear Growers,

To help us accurately review and process your handler training records, we ask that you please use the fillable Handler Training forms when documenting employee training.

Using the fillable forms ensures that employee names and other information are clear and legible when submitted. Handwritten forms can sometimes be difficult to read, which may delay the review process or require us to request additional information.

 Please also note that fillable Worker Roster forms are available. Both the Handler Training forms and Worker Roster forms can be found on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Bureau of Pesticide Control website at https://dep.nj.gov/pesticides/compliance-enforcement/worker-protection/#agricultural-worker-protection-standard-guide.

 Although the forms are fillable, handlers and workers must still sign the forms after completing the training.

 We appreciate your cooperation in using these fillable forms for all future submissions. If you have any questions or need assistance accessing the forms, please let us know.

 Thank you for your continued cooperation.

 NJDEP Bureau of Pesticide Control

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf Tagged With: , , ,
July 8, 2026

Corn Lodging Reported Following Extreme Heat and Storm Events in Southern New Jersey

Reports of corn lodging have been coming from multiple locations across southern New Jersey (NJ) since last Sunday (July 5, 2026). We had a period of extreme heat across much of central and southern NJ from July 2 to 4, witnessing daytime temperatures reached 95 to 100°F and heat index values ranged between 105 and 115°F. Right after that, we had weekend thunderstorms that caused locally heavy rainfall and strong winds, resulting in saturated soil and decreased root grip/anchorage in corn fields. The rapid transition from extended heat-induced stress to wet soil conditions and strong winds led to conditions conducive for root lodging, particularly in early planted (rapidly growing) corn with compromised root systems.

 

Figure 1: Severe lodging observed in taller, early planted corn following strong winds and heavy rainfall. Taller plants are more prone to wind-related lodging due to larger canopy size and increased leverage on the root system. (Photo Credit: Andrew Wyenandt, 2026)

Figure 1: Severe lodging observed in taller, early planted corn following strong winds and heavy rainfall. Taller plants are more prone to wind-related lodging due to larger canopy size and increased leverage on the root system. (Photo Credit: Andrew Wyenandt, 2026)

 

Figure 2: Less severe lodging observed in a comparatively shorter corn field after the same storm event. Decreased plant height and canopy development likely contributed to higher resistance to wind-induced root lodging. ((Photo Credit: Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, 2026)

Figure 2: Less severe lodging observed in a comparatively shorter corn field after the same storm event. Decreased plant height and canopy development likely contributed to higher resistance to wind-induced root lodging. ((Photo Credit: Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, 2026)

Assessing the Type of Lodging

Farmers are advised to wait for three to seven days (or until the field conditions allow) after the lodging event to check their fields to determine the type and extent of injury. Two types of wind injury are commonly seen in corn:

  • Root lodging: Plants get displaced from the vertical, but the stalk remains intact. Roots are partially displaced/lifted while staying attached to the ground. Generally, these plants recover naturally by bending upward over the following several days through normal gravitropic (against the direction of gravity) growth.
  • Green or Stalk Snap (breaking of stalk): Stalks are broken from below or near the ear. In this case, affected plants cannot recover so they directly contribute to the yield loss, which is generally in proportion to the percentage of broken plants.

Management Recommendations

There is no direct management practice that can reinstate corn to its pre-lodged position. Instead, management is mainly focused on minimizing additional stress, allowing the crop time to recover, and evaluating potential impacts on yield.

  • Farmers are advised to allow time (three to seven days) for recovery before making final evaluations on root-lodged corn fields. Corn expresses negative gravitropism, by which the plants that have their root systems still intact, will naturally stand back upright, often developing the characteristic “gooseneck” appearance.
  • It is not suggested to manually straighten lodged plants. Attempting to unbend or stand plants upright can damage root systems and increase plant stress, often causing more injury than benefit.
  • It is advised to delay non-essential field traffic/operations until soil is sufficiently dry to reduce additional root injury, soil compaction, and mechanical damage to lodged plants. Bringing equipment in lodged corn fields causes more yield loss than the lodging itself.
  • Farmers are encouraged to continue scouting their fields for foliar diseases and stalk rots. Lodged plants usually stay wetter for long durations, providing conditions conducive for diseases such as gray leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight, and tar spot (where present). Plants injured by wind are more prone to stalk rots later in the season. Routine disease scouting should continue. Fungicide applications should not be justified by lodging alone. However, fungicide decisions should be guided by i) what the growth stage of crops is, ii) how much the disease pressure is, iii) how vulnerable the hybrid is, iv) what the weather conditions are, and v) what is the expected yield goal.
  • Farmers are advised to evaluate the potential for nitrogen loss. For example, if heavy rainfall resulted in prolonged soil saturation, the likelihood of nitrogen loss should be assessed taking denitrification or leaching into account, which is very notable on southern NJ’s coarse-textured or poorly drained soils. Supplemental nitrogen should only be applied if field conditions, crop growth stage, and expected yield response justify additional applications.
  • Fields should be reassessed after one week. Fields that stay severely lodged even after five to seven days may have suffered more substantial root injury and should be monitored closely throughout the rest of the growing season.
  • It is advised to keep monitoring the stalk quality to help prioritize harvest (if and where needed). Wind-damaged fields should be scouted later in the season for stalk deterioration and increased lodging potential. Fields with decline in stalk quality should be prioritized for harvest to minimize additional yield losses.
  • Affected farmers are advised to document and report affected acreage and estimated losses to their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Accurate reporting will be helpful in documenting the extent of damage and in supporting the evaluation of potential disaster assistance (if applicable).
  • In case of suspected significant damage and if insured, it is suggested to make timely communication with the crop insurance provider (if warranted) and to follow policy requirements before making management decisions that could affect claim evaluation.

References

GovOneStop. (2026, July 2). New Jersey severe extreme heat warning effective 07/02/2026. https://govonestop.com/nws/new-jersey-severe-extreme-heat-warning-effective-07022026-0051-0

Merchantville. (2026). Dangerous heat through Saturday. Merchantville News. https://www.merchantville.com/index.php/news/local/new-jersey/10067-dangerous-heat-through-saturday

Quinn, D. (2024, July 11). “Flattened” or “Root Lodged” corn caused by heavy rain and wind – Now what? Purdue Extension Pest&Crop Newsletter, 2024(16). Purdue University. https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/newsletters/pestandcrop/article/flattened-or-root-lodged-corn-caused-by-heavy-rain-and-wind-now-what/

University of Kentucky, Department of Plant Pathology. (n.d.). Wind damage/lodging. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. https://veggiescout.mgcafe.uky.edu/wind-damagelodging

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Plant Diagnostic Lab
June 30, 2026

Dangerous Heat: Actions to Stay Safe

Dangerous heat will impact NJ and the region this week, with maximum air temperatures Wednesday to Saturday forecasted to reach the mid-90s to 105 degrees. The heat index, which factors in relative humidity, is expected to soar as high as 110 degrees. As a result, an Extreme Heat Warning has been issued for the majority of NJ (Wednesday to Saturday) with an Extreme Heat Watch being issued for the counties of Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland (Thursday to Saturday).

Precautions must be taken to prevent heat-related illnesses among the agricultural workforce:

  1. National Weather Service graphic on extreme heat watches and warnings for the region. Adjust work schedules and discontinue outdoor work during the hottest parts of the day.
    1. You can utilize the OSHA/NIOSH Heat Safety Tool (phone app) for site-specific heat indices to aid planning.
    2. Remember: heat index is measured in the shade and does not factor in the effect of work in direct sunlight.
  2. Reduce workload intensity by increasing the number of workers per task, rotating jobs, and increasing the frequency of breaks.
  3. Train everyone on the farm to recognize and respond to signs of heat-related illness in themselves and others.
    1. Reinforce training with signage such as this informative ‘Prevent Heat Illness at Work’ poster from OSHA which is available in English, as well as Spanish.
  4. Keep hydrated! Cool water should always be available to everyone. Drink water constantly including before, during, and after work and encourage others to do the same. Sports drinks are generally not necessary when you drink ample water and eat regular meals.
  5. Select light-colored, breathable clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Your clothing must allow for rapid evaporation of sweat – the body’s mechanism for cooling.

Take extreme caution over the next several days to safeguard yourself and others from heat-related illnesses. For more resources on preventing heat-related illness among the agricultural workforce, visit our Heat Stress and Agriculture website. 

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , ,
June 26, 2026 and

Nutrient and Management Tips for New Jersey Soybean Production

In New Jersey, soybeans generally do well in terms of productivity, but final yield largely depends on early-season soil conditions, balanced plant nutrition, and timely field management, particularly in sandy soil areas of the Coastal Plain and Southern part of New Jersey.

Importance of early-season establishment

The final yield potential (to be achieved later in the season) of soybean largely depends on how the crop established early in the season. If there is a poor emergence or is nutrient deficiency in early growth stages, it can decrease the final number of pods per acre and slow down the canopy growth. So, primary areas of focus during the early season are:

  • To ensure uniformity in planting depth and better seed-to-soil contact for better emergence/stand count.
  • To avoid planting into cold/wet soil to save emerging seeds from cold injury.
  • To ensure strong nodulation for better rhizobium activity.

Nutrients Management Considerations

Soybeans, being a leguminous crop, don’t need nitrogen (for the most part as they can fix most of their nitrogen needs by themselves), but they need other nutrients:

  • Phosphorus for early root development (to absorb water/nutrients and to anchor the plant in the soil) and nodulation. Very high (more than optimum) levels of phosphorus were seen in many New Jersey soils so, no phosphorus fertilizer is recommended for such soils. However, for the soils showing high/optimum phosphorus levels, it is still suggested to apply phosphorus at least in amount equivalent to that is removed by the soybean crop (40 lbs. P2O5/acre for a 40 Bu/acre of grain yield).
  • Potassium for water regulation and pod fill (determinant of final yield). To the soils showing potassium in high levels, it is still needed to apply 55 lbs. of K2O/acre for a 40 Bu/acre of grain yield, to account for the potassium removed by the soybean crop. For soils showing below optimum potassium levels, the rate of potassium is recommended to be higher than the 55 lbs. of K2O/acre, depending on what the yield goal is. For a yield goal of 40 Bu/acre, if potassium levels are below optimum, potassium recommendations are to apply between 70-170 lb. K2O/acre depending on the potassium levels (180-0 lbs. K/acre) shown in soil test (Mehlich-3). Also, it is important to mention the fields with soybean planted as a double crop, where potassium removal from the preceding small grain crop should be accounted for in fertilization planning by adjusting the soil test potassium results to avoid early season potassium deficiency. For example, a 45 Bu/acre soybean crop removes roughly 100–114 lb. K/acre (120–137 lb. K₂O/acre) from soil when potassium removed by the preceding small grain crop and its straw is also included with the potassium removed by soybean grain.
  • Sulfur has been increasingly becoming critical for last two decades, especially in highly leached, low organic matter, and sandy soils because of the decrease in natural sulfur deposits in soil owing to the stricter environmental regulations after the enactment of clean air act of 1990. Sulfur recommendations for soybeans are 20-40 lbs./acre (if broadcasted) or 20-30 lbs./acre (banded).
  • Manganese is the micronutrient that is seen deficient in most of the South Jersey’s coarse textured soils. The deficiency is visible in the form of green veins with yellowness appearing between the veins. For soils having the history of Manganese deficiency, recommendations are 15 lbs./acre (broadcast) or 5 lbs./acre (banded) of Manganese, if applied by soil. If a foliar application, recommendations are to apply three times (1st application as soon as the symptoms appear, 2nd application on later vegetative stage, and 3rd at early pod stage) with each application of 0.5-2.0 lbs./acre.
  • Maintaining pH between 6.2 and 6.8 is generally good for all nutrient’s availability. However, if pH is outside this range, the nutrients that are present in the soil still become unavailable to the soybean plant.

In many New Jersey soybean fields, mild potassium and sulfur deficiencies are more prevalent compared to visible nitrogen deficiency.

Management specific to the Southern New Jersey Soils

Southern New Jersey’s sandy soils lose nutrients rapidly due to high leaching, lose moisture faster during reproductive stages, and encounter nutrient stress even when soil test results say, “adequate level”. Therefore, split or targeted nutrient management and regular soil testing are very helpful.

In-season crop management

At R1 (flowering stage) to R3 (early pod set stage), it is suggested 1) to be watchful for yellowing on leaves or uneven canopy development, 2) to keep checking if nodulation working effectively (red/pink nodules signify better nitrogen fixation), and 3) to ensure no hidden potassium or sulfur deficiency, especially when high rainfall occurs (high leaching rate).

Takeaways (Summary)

Improved soybean yields in New Jersey are tied to 1) good early season establishment, 2) balanced nutrition of phosphorus, potassium (especially in double-crop soybean), sulfur, and manganese, 3) prudent monitoring of nutrient losses in sandy soils, and 4) timely field scouting during flowering and pod set. Taken together, productivity of New Jersey soybeans relies less on high inputs, but more on early-season balance (nutrition) and timely monitoring.

References

  • Huddell, A. M., Thapa, R., Marcillo, G. S., Abendroth, L. J., Ackroyd, V. J., Armstrong, S. D., & Mirsky, S. B. (2024). US cereal rye winter cover crop growth database. Scientific data, 11(1), 200.
  • New Jersey Soybean Board. (n.d.). NJ Production Guide. https://njsoybean.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/50737-8-New-Jersey-Tech-Transfer-Guide_LR6.pdf
  • Rutgers Cooperative Extension. (n.d.). Soil fertility recommendations for soybean (FS102). Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
  • Heckman, J. R. (1992). Successful double cropping requires adequate soil fertility. The Soil Profile, 2(2). Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
  • Sharma, R. K., Cox, M. S., Oglesby, C., & Dhillon, J. S. (2024). Revisiting the role of sulfur in crop production: A narrative review. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 15, 101013.
Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock