April 6, 2023

NJ Dept of Health Scheduled Training for Farmers Participating in the NJ Farmers Market Nutrition Program

A MESSAGE FROM NJ SECRETARY of AGRICULTURE DOUGLAS FISHER:

The New Jersey Department of Health will be hosting three face-to-face and one virtual mandatory training sessions for farmers who participate in the New Jersey Farmers Market Nutrition Program. The three regional trainings, one each in the Northern, Central and Southern sections of the state, will take place April 24, May 1, and May 3, and there will be a virtual training on May 10. Go to https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/md/prog/wic.html to see the complete schedule as well as the farmer/grower vendor agreement and the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program Application. [or you may download the attached official notice and application forms here:]

Letter from Secretary Fisher

DOH Farmer/Grower Vender Agreement

DOH Application for Participation

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , ,
April 3, 2023

Pesticide Storage Inventory with Cover Letter Due May 1st to Fire Department

All licensed pesticide applicators, as well as dealers, who store pesticides are required by law to send a copy of their storage inventor(ies) with an explanatory cover letter to the local fire company by May 1st each year. In New Jersey, all licensed pesticide applicators and dealers who store pesticides are required per N.J.A.C. 7:30-9.5 […]
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
March 15, 2023

In-Person Pesticide Exams for April

The Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education has scheduled multiple opportunities to take pesticide exams before the growing season (excerpted & linked below) at the Pesticide Applicator Certification Exam Registration (PACER) webpage at https://pacer.rutgers.edu/examcalendar.php. If you prefer to take your exams in-person, April will be your last opportunity because the next scheduled in-person exam is […]
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
March 2, 2023

Resources for Attendees of 2023 Central Jersey Vegetable Growers Meeting

      Central Jersey Vegetable Growers Meeting 2023 Private Applicator Resource Guide
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
February 24, 2023

December Prices Received by Farmers Data

The ‘December Prices Received by Farmers’ section of the USDA NASS Agriculture Prices publication contains useful price-margins-costs of production forecasting information for producers.

The report highlights prices received by farmers for principal crops, livestock and livestock products; indexes of prices received by farmers; feed price ratios; indexes of prices paid by farmers; and parity prices. Historical data covering years 1910-60 reported in 1962 publication.

To access the December report go to: https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/c821gj76b/gx41nx339/2b88rs02s/agpr0123.txt

Future reports will be released on: Upcoming releases:Feb 28 2023 3:00 PM. Mar 31 2023 3:00 PM. Apr 28 2023 3:00 PM. May 31 2023 3:00 PM. Jun 30 2023 3:00 PM. Jul 28 2023 3:00 PM. Aug 31 2023 3:00 PM. Sep 29 2023 3:00 PM. Oct 31 2023 3:00 PM. Nov 30 2023 3:00 PM. Dec 29 2023 3:00 PM.



Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops 
February 22, 2023 
Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory adds Sulfur to Soil Fertility Analysis


Plant-available sulfur (sulfate) values have been added to Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory fertility reports in the micronutrient reporting line. There are four interpretive categories: Low, Medium-low, Sufficient, and High. An explanatory paragraph follows near the end of the report to help interpret the reported value.


Photo illustrating sulfur deficiency in sweet corn.
Symptoms of sulfur deficiency include yellowing or light green coloring on youngest tissue, thin stems and petioles, slow growth, and delayed maturity. Photo Credit: G. Brust, University of Maryland.


As the interpretative statements within the reports explain, sulfur analysis/interpretation is very complicated (similar to nitrogen) due to the many factors influencing it. Also, there is not full consensus among soil fertility experts on a best extraction method and critical values. Still, the sulfur value on the revised reports will provide an extra degree of information for understanding the soil & plant health. As with all micronutrient interpretations on the reports, the relevant RCE publication is referenced for further information; in the case of sulfur, RCE bulletin E365.


 [Read more…]


Filed Under: Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , ,