Field, Forage & Livestock — Plant & Pest Advisory

June 8, 2026 Ramandeep Kumar Sharma

New World Screwworm: Why New Jersey Livestock Producers Should Be Aware

Recent detection (on June 3, 2026) of New World screwworm in Texas (Zavala County) have renewed attention to a livestock pest that was eradicated from the United States more than 50 years ago. While the current detections are far from New Jersey, they serve as a reminder of the importance of animal health surveillance and routine livestock inspections.

What is New World Screwworm: New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. Unlike common fly maggots that typically feed on dead or decaying tissue, screwworm larvae invade healthy tissue, causing painful and rapidly expanding wounds that can lead to severe animal health problems if left untreated.
Why Is It in the News: The pest was eradicated from the United States in the 1960s and 1970s through a successful sterile insect release program. However, outbreaks in Central America and Mexico have moved northward in recent years, resulting in recent detections in Texas. Federal and state animal health officials are actively responding to these detections to prevent establishment and further spread.
Should New Jersey Producers Be Concerned: At this time, there is no reason for alarm in New Jersey. However, livestock owners should be aware of the pest and its symptoms because early detection is critical to successful control efforts.
Animals at Risk: New World Screwworm can affect cattle, sheep, goats, horses, swine, pets (dogs and cats), and wildlife. Any warm-blooded animal with an open wound can potentially be infested.
What to Watch For: Producers should monitor animals for wounds that enlarge rapidly, foul-smelling lesions, bloody or pink-tinged discharge, visible maggots in wounds, excessive irritation or rubbing, reduced feed intake, and lethargy or weakness. Pay particular attention to newborn navels, castration sites, dehorning wounds, ear-tagging sites, branding wounds, cuts and abrasions.
Good Management Practices: The best defense remains good animal husbandry. Inspect livestock regularly, treat wounds promptly, maintain fly-control programs, monitor newborn and recently processed animals closely, and consult a veterinarian if unusual wound development is observed.
Food Safety: New World screwworm is primarily an animal health concern and does not pose a food safety risk to consumers. Its impact is related to animal welfare, livestock productivity, and economic losses rather than meat safety.
Stay Informed: Rutgers Cooperative Extension encourages livestock owners to stay informed through USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, and their local veterinarian. While the current risk to New Jersey remains low, awareness and early recognition are important components of protecting animal health.

References

Texas Animal Health Commission. (2026, June 3). New World screwworm confirmed in Zavala County calf: First case of NWS in Texas [News release]. (https://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/2026/2026-06-03_NWS_InitialCase.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Kaufman, P., Swiger, S. L., & Herring, A. (2026). New World screwworm fact sheet. (https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/new-world-screwworm-fact-sheet/)
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. (2025, June). New World screwworms: Fact sheet for producers. Kansas State University. (https://entomology.k-state.edu/extension/human-and-animal-health/New%20World%20Screwworms_June2025.pdf)
California Department of Food and Agriculture. (2025, June). New World screwworm fact sheet. California Department of Food and Agriculture. (https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/pdfs/screwworm_fact_sheet.pdf)

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, pesticide credits

June 3, 2026 Ramandeep Kumar Sharma

Late-Planted Corn in Southern New Jersey: What to Expect and How to Manage in 2026

USDA reports indicate that 93% of the U.S. corn crop was planted by May 31, 2026, slightly ahead of the five-year average, with strong emergence (76%) and 67% of the crop rated good to excellent. However, national progress does not always reflect local conditions. In southern New Jersey (NJ), cooler soil temperatures and variable field conditions pushed some planting into late May and early June. Understanding how these later planting dates influence corn growth and management is critical for optimizing yield potential this season.

Key Takeaways for Growers

Yield potential declines with delayed planting after mid-May: Corn planted in early June typically experiences a 5 to 15% yield reduction compared to mid-May planting in the Mid-Atlantic, depending on hybrid maturity and late-season weather.
Shorter vegetative period means fewer kernels per ear: Later planting compresses vegetative growth, often reducing leaf area development, kernel rows and kernel number per ear. This is the primary driver of yield loss, not necessarily kernel weight.
Higher risk of heat stress during pollination: June-planted corn is more likely to tassel and silk during peak July heat, increasing risk of poor pollination and kernel abortion.
Grain fill may extend into cooler fall conditions: Later planting can push grain fill into September–October, increasing risk of slower dry-down, higher grain moisture at harvest, and potential early frost damage (in extreme cases).

Nutrient and Soil Considerations

Nitrogen (N) management becomes more critical as rapid early growth in warmer soils can increase N demand. So, consider split N applications or sidedress timing carefully (V5–V7 window still key).
Sulfur (S) deficiency risk may increase as warmer, wetter early-season conditions can enhance S leaching in sandy NJ soils. Visual symptoms may appear earlier in late-planted corn due to rapid growth.
Potassium (K) uptake timing is compressed as K uptake peaks around V6–VT. So, ensure adequate soil K, especially in coastal plain sandy soils.

Management Adjustments for Late-Planted Corn

Consider slightly shorter maturity hybrids if planting delayed beyond mid-June. However, for early June planting, most full-season hybrids are still acceptable.
Increase scouting frequency as faster growth means shorter windows to correct deficiencies. Pay attention to N deficiency (lower leaves yellowing) and S deficiency (upper leaves yellowing).
Weed control timing is tighter as corn canopy closes faster making narrower herbicide application window.
Monitor soil moisture closely as late-planted corn often has higher evapotranspiration demand during peak summer.

Summary

Corn planted in early June may face moderate yield risk, but not a major loss under good conditions.
The 2026 season will largely depend on weather during pollination (July) and timely nutrient management, especially N and S.
With proper in-season management and favorable weather, much of the yield potential can still be preserved.

References

Squire, M. 2026. USDA Releases First 2026 Corn Condition Ratings. Successful Farming, June 2, 2026.
Crop Progress (June 2026) 19 USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://esmis.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/release-files/795928/prog2226.pdf)

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Organic Production

May 25, 2026 Claudia Gil Arroyo

Networks to Reduce Risk: Field trip to Montclair Community Farms and Program Wrap up

Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026, for the final event of the Networks to Reduce Risk: Building Viable NJ Farms program! We’re celebrating with a special field trip to Montclair Community Farms from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This fun wrap‑up event offers a great chance to explore urban agriculture, learn about sustainability and community food systems, and connect with fellow participants. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided, and it’s the perfect opportunity to take photos and close out the program together. Registration is just $5—save your spot today! You can register at: https://go.rutgers.edu/lxjqrrv7

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: field trip, food systems, networking, sustainability

May 15, 2026 Nick Polanin

NJDA Survey for 250+ Year Old NJ Farms

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture needs your help! The Department is gathering information on New Jersey farms that are 250 years old or older, as USDA and NASDA are recognizing farms marking 250+ years as part of the national Freedom250 celebration.

If your farm or a farm you know qualifies, please complete NJDA’s short form by clicking here — the submission deadline is this coming Monday, 5/18.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: Immediate, NJDA

May 11, 2026 Claudia Gil Arroyo