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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A Few Reminders About Lumax and Lexar Herbicides

By Mark VanGessel, Extension Weed Specialist; mjv@udel.edu

The formulations of Lumax and Lexar have been changed to Lumax EZ and Lexar EZ. Both products still contain mesotrione, atrazine, and s-metolachlor; and in the same ratios as the old formulations. The concentration of Lexar remained the same and the use rates are the same for the Lexar EZ formulation (3 to 3.5 qts/A). Lumax EZ (3.67 SC) is less concentrated than the older version (Lumax 3.9 SC) and so the use rates are slightly higher. So, instead of using 2.5 qts of Lumax, the Lumax EZ use rate is 2.7 qts, etc.

For vegetable growers and those advising vegetable growers, be sure to read all rotational restrictions and be sure you understand them. A lot of labels address dry beans or dry peas, but do not address succulent beans or peas. Some labels provide rotational restrictions others provide rotational guidelines. I am not aware of any acetachlor-containing herbicides that permit most of our vegetables to be planted within 15 months of application. Likewise, the new products of Anthem, Fierce, and Zidua do not fit into vegetable rotations.
Source: Read More from Weekly Crop Update

Pesticide Storage Inventory Due May 1

All NJ licensed pesticide applicators, as well as dealers, who store pesticides are required by law to send a copy of their storage inventories with an explanatory cover letter to the local fire company by May 1st each year. [Read more…]

A Comment About Reflex Herbicide

From Weekly Crop Update

Mark VanGessel, Extension Weed Specialist; mjv@udel.edu

All winter I have been talking about Reflex as a tool for managing Palmer amaranth and other problem weeds. Farm articles from the southern US often discuss this product as well. It is commonly used for snap beans and soybeans. But it is one of those products with unique regional restrictions. On Delmarva, we are limited to one application every two years, and a maximum use of 1.5 pts. South into the Carolinas and Georgia, they can use higher rates and use it every year. North of Delaware (Pennsylvania and New Jersey) it is limited to one application in alternate years with a maximum use rate of 1.25 pts. So be sure to plan your herbicide rotation accordingly.

Source: Weekly Crop Update

Be Sure to Read Those Pesticide Labels

From Weekly Crop Update

Mark VanGessel, Extension Weed Specialist; mjv@udel.edu

Remember that the pesticide label is a legal document. Those who apply or use the products need to read the label. Changes are often made to pesticide labels, and often those changes are not well publicized. Also, not all labels with the same active ingredients have the same wording. So read the label for the specific product you intend to use. Use rates and use restrictions can vary with geography, so information you get off the internet may not be accurate for your farm. You will only know that if you read the label. UD Extension does a great job of highlighting specific points that are on labels, but we might miss a specific point that pertains to your situation. So read the label.

Source: Weekly Crop Update

Is It Too Late to Spray for Weeds in Winter Wheat?

From Weekly Crop Update

Mark VanGessel, Extension Weed Specialist; mjv@udel.edu

A few phone calls have come in about treating weeds in winter wheat. First, a lot of the wheat is getting to a stage where it would be injured with some of the herbicides. Also, many of the weeds are probably too large for effective control. Finally, the wheat is getting large enough that it will intercept a lot of the herbicide spray, so will you get the spray coverage you need. Each field needs to be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if a spray should be made.

Source: Weekly Crop Update

Crop Insurance Update

By garden state crop insurance education initiative

April 11th is the earliest planting date for corn crop insurance policies

April 21st is the earliest planting date for grain sorghum crop insurance polices

April 30th is the contract change date for forage seeding policies

If you have any questions please contact your crop insurance agent or our office at 1-800-308-2449

Source: NJ Crop Insurance Education