Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by Cercospora beticola, is an important and emerging disease in beet and swiss chard production in New Jersey. Efforts to control this disease has become more difficult in the past few years in some areas of southern New Jersey. [Read more…]
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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May 26, 2021 Hank Bignell
Managing Heat Stress-Livestock Operations
With the increased temperatures we saw this month, being aware of potential heat stress signs and how to prevent them from happening is very important with livestock production. Luckily, in the North East, our summers are not brutally hot compared to our neighbors in the South and in the Mid-West. It is worth noting that our area can have high humidity that can cause problems for livestock. Depending on the species, and the stage of production, points on the heat index will vary for causes of heat stress. Identify animals that may be more susceptible to heat stress, i.e. overweight animals, younger and older ones, as well as animals that are pregnant. Establishing a plan of action prior to extreme weather days will also help out.
1) Make sure there is plenty of clean water for drinking. If it is possible, add another trough so there is more access to water. This will allow all animals in your herd to have the ability to obtain water.
2) Do not work your animals on hot days.
3) Provide shade if possible and have access to air movement (wind and breezes).
4) Cool the ground- pigs love to wallow in the mud to keep cool, or you could wet some straw in a shady spot in the pasture for a herd of cattle.
5) Control flies as much as possible because this will add more stress to the animals.
6) Pay attention to the weather forecast and check the livestock weather hazard guide.
7) Know when to intervene (the heat index is 75 or greater for a 72-hour period or the daytime heat index reaches 84 or higher for two consecutive days).
Things are going to happen that are uncontrollable (the weather), but if you plan ahead, you can minimize the effects of heat stress to your livestock.
It’s Hot Out There and Shade is Key to Cattle Performance | Panhandle Agriculture (ufl.edu)
May 25, 2021 Meredith Melendez
Keep Up the Customer Communication!
Now that the dates have been set for the lifting of the face covering requirements indoors and social distancing requirements indoors and out (May 28th) farms have decisions to make. What will you require of your customers while on your property? How will you handle customers who expect more or less when it comes to COVID protections? The CDC recommends that those not fully vaccinated should continue to socially distance themselves from others and wear a mask, but these are no longer requirements under state Executive Orders. Here are some suggestions on how to prepare your employees and customers for their experiences on your farm this season.
1. Communicate your farm policies regarding COVID protections clearly online and on the farm.
2. If you choose to no longer require masks indoors at the farm be understanding of customers who may choose to wear a mask. “Mask-free” environments are not enforceable, those who wish to wear masks must be allowed to do so.
3. When possible continue to provide order ahead and pick-up of items sold at your farm. This allows those who are unvaccinated or wary of those who are unmasked to still be able to shop at your farm.
4. Prepare your staff on how to handle disgruntled customers. Who is the right person at the farm to handle these situations? Have a plan on who and how you will respond to these situations.
5. Realize that you will not make everyone happy. The best you can do is decide what your masking and social distancing policies are, stick to them, and communicate the heck out of them.
Important dates:
May 28th – Indoor mask mandate lifted. Businesses may require customers to wear masks indoors, but it is no longer mandated. 6’ social distancing required indoors lifted. Businesses may still enforce 6’ of social distancing. This does not apply to summer camp settings with children.
June 4th – Indoor gathering limits lifted.
May 25, 2021 Tim Waller
Do you have Phytophthora at your conifer nursery / Christmas tree farm? We are still looking for a few more participants in a statewide study – aimed at better RECS.
Update: We are still looking for a few more participants in a state-wide Phytophthora sampling project. If you would like to participate please please respond via this brief survey (click here)
Tim Waller (Cumberland Co.) and Bill Errickson (Monmouth Co.) of Rutgers Cooperative Extension are looking for 30 conifer producers to collaborate in a statewide Phytophthora sampling project, as part of a Specialty Crop Block Grant. This study will focus on identifying the species of Phytophthora limiting conifer production in New Jersey.
- If your operation is selected, the agents will schedule one to three visits this growing season to collect samples from roots, bark, soil, irrigation systems, and will perform soil testing (Year 1).
- During years 2 and 3, we will be performing chemical, biological, and cultural disease management trials in addition to conifer variety trials, at Rutgers-NJAES experiment stations. The aim is to generate local data – using local isolates in order to develop a more wholistic set of recommendations when targeting this disease in our NJ nurseries.
The agents also look forward to developing stronger relationships throughout New Jersey in the post-COVID19 era
This project is open to nurseries and Christmas tree farms producing conifers in NJ
If you are interested in this project – please respond via this brief survey (click here)
Please print and share this PDF survey with anyone not online (click here)
Please contact Tim Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu – (856-451-2800) – for more information
May 25, 2021 Meredith Melendez
USDA Spanish Language Resources Now Available for Organic Stakeholders
The USDA has translated its organic regulations and resources into Spanish. Available online are:
USDA Organic Regulations
Organic Foods Production Act
NOP Handbook
Organic Integrity in the Supply Chain
Training materials
Video resources on certified organic FAQ, preventive practices, and recordkeeping
Tip/Fact sheets on topics ranging from soil assessments, composting, manures, orchards, livestock, dairy, meat, and others
May 24, 2021 Rick VanVranken
June 16 Webinar – Creating Healthy Resilient Food Systems in NJ Through Food Policy Councils
The COVID-19 pandemic has people around the world, and right here in NJ, talking about the Food System, and in many, concerned about what they perceive to be broken. Agriculture often considers itself the food system, but in considering the complexity of today’s farm-to-fork movement of food, agricultural production has become a small, albeit indispensable (unless you consider the movement to cell-based culture of food materials), cog on the wheel.
Food Policy Councils are forming around the country and there are at least two or three here in NJ. The NJ Food Democracy Collaborative is one focusing on the shore counties and much of southern NJ. In collaboration with Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension and several other co-sponsors, they are hosting this webinar on June 16 to bring national experts in the roles and activities of food policy councils to discuss “Building our table: Making food more Affordable, Accessible, and Available in NJ through Local Food Policy Councils.”
They are inviting anyone involved in the food system, from production to processing, distribution, preparation and consumption (that’s everyone) to learn more about getting involved to make a sustainable food system capable of feeding our residents, visitors and beyond the Garden State. Register for the webinar at
https://go.rutgers.edu/g4m9ukqm
or by clicking on the poster.
