The FDA expects fresh produce growers to prove their exemption or need for compliance with the FSMA Produce Rule starting January 2018. The catch is that they will expect to see records from the previous three years. Keep this in mind so that if you are asked to show your records in 2018 in relation to the FSMA Produce Rule you will be prepared with records starting in 2016. The FDA has not yet specified the exact documents that they are looking for. You should be prepared to show evidence of the total amount of human and animal food sold by the farm.
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.
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August 2, 2016 Meredith Melendez
Recordkeeping in 2016 Important for FSMA Exemption and Compliance in 2018
July 13, 2016 Michael Westendorf
Livestock Auction Updates
Below are the latest livestock auction updates from the Hackettstown Livestock Auction. The Livestock Auction has a sale every Tuesday. This auction sells lambs, sheep, goats, calves, beef cattle, pigs, rabbits, and all types of heavy fowl. The auction begins at 10:30 am and ends with the last sale at 5:30 pm. This auction serves central and northern New Jersey as well as bordering areas of New York and Pennsylvania. (Market Report 7-12-2016).
Michael Westendorf e-mail: michael.westendorf@rutgers.edu
July 11, 2016 Hemant Gohil
Size Peaches with Supplemental Irrigation
NJ peach orchards demand supplemental irrigation when drought weather patterns persist. Peaches gain up to 70% of their final volume during the last 30 days on the tree, so sizing fruit to their full potential requires supplemental irrigation. July and August are critical months for fruit sizing for most varieties. Inadequate irrigation during critical stages of fruit development results in smaller fruits and irreversible size/marketing losses. Irrigating closer to harvest will not increase fruit size. [Read more…]
June 3, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
Late blight confirmed in VA on 6/3/16
Late blight was confirmed on potato in Accomack County, VA located on the Eastern Shore just south of the Maryland border. This is the second report of Late blight in the mid-Atlantic region this growing season. All tomato and potato growers should scout their fields on a regular basis. Growers who have not initiated standard protectant fungicide programs should consider doing so.
May 17, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
RCE Hosting a “Pollinator Victory Garden” Workshop
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County is hosting “The Pollinator Victory Garden: Winning the War on Pollinator Decline” on Wednesday, June 8 from 5:30 to p.m., rain or shine, at Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 355 Court House – South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House, New Jersey.
Participants will learn how to attract an array of pollinators, what plants they eat, how to provide them with shelter, and how to help win the war on pollinator decline. Also, each recipient will receive starter plants for their victory garden. Kim Eierman, Environmental Horticulturist and founder of EcoBeneficial will be presenting. Eierman specializes in ecological landscapes and native plants. She teaches at the New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, The Native Plant Center in NY, Rutgers Home Gardeners School and others. In addition to being a Certified Horticulturist through the American Society for Horticultural Science, Eierman is a Master Gardener, a Master Naturalist, an Accredited Organic Landcare Professional, a Steering Committee member of The Native Plant Center and a member of the Garden Writers Association.
This is a beginner class, therefore, no experience is needed. The cost for this workshop is $25 and includes dinner and all materials. Registration is due by June 1, 2016. To register or for more information, please call 609-465-5115, ext. 607 or email dana.tyndall@co.cape-may.nj.us
See official flyer here.
May 17, 2016 Andy Wyenandt
Late blight confirmed on tomato in Western Maryland – 5/17/16
Late blight (US23) was confirmed on tomato in a small, retail greenhouse operation in western Maryland (Garrett Co.) today. This is the first report of Late blight on tomato or potato this growing season. US23 has been the most prevalent genotype found in the region the last few years and can infect tomato or potato. While the current report not an immediate threat to NJ, all tomato and potato growers should scout fields on a regular basis as long as wet weather pattern continues. At this time, general protectant fungicide programs that have been initiated will help protect against Late blight. Importantly, in order for Late blight to appear this early in our region it must either have survived on an infested potato tuber left in the field or in a cull pile. For more information on the control of late blight please see the 2016 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Production Recommendations Guide.
