November 15, 2022

NJ Governor Murphy Authorizes 2022 Bear Hunt

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher shared today that Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 310 (attached) concerning the black bear population. EO 310 rescinds EO 34 and states that,

“…in consultation with the [DEP] Commissioner, I have determined that a regulated bear hunt that takes place on both state and private lands is necessary to protect New Jersey residents from harm and reduce the threat of tragic human-bear interactions, and I have concurred with the Council’s Statement of Imminent Peril; and

“WHEREAS, as a result of this emergency rulemaking, a Bear Hunting Season will take place pursuant to the Comprehensive Black Bear Management Plan and N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.6 from December 5 through December 10, 2022, and will be extended from December 14 through December 17 if necessary to achieve a 20 percent harvest rate;

 

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , ,
November 13, 2022

Public Input on Draft Environmental Documents for Deregulation of American Chestnut Developed Using Genetic Engineering

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting public comment on two draft documents involving a petition from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY) seeking deregulation of an American chestnut variety modified for tolerance to chestnut blight. The first document is a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that examines the potential environmental impacts, and the second is a draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment (DPPRA) that considers potential plants pest risks.

APHIS published SUNY’s petition on August 19, 2020, and solicited public comments for 60 days to aid the Agency in defining the scope and appropriate environmental documents. Following this, APHIS prepared an environmental impact statement to assess the potential impacts to the environment from deregulating the modified American chestnut variety. APHIS published a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS on August 6, 2021, and solicited comments for 30 days to further define the scope of the alternatives and environmental and interrelated economic issues and impacts for consideration in the DEIS.

APHIS is now seeking public comments on the DEIS and DPPRA for 45 days so the public may review our preliminary evaluation of potential impacts on the environment in consideration of the SUNY petition. You can view the Federal Register notice, DEIS, DPPRA, and supporting documents on the APHIS website. Beginning November 10, 2022, members of the public can submit comments through December 27, 2022, by going to www.regulations.gov and entering “APHIS-2020-0030” into the Search field.”- November, 9. APHIS PPQ Press Release

For more information go to: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2022/american-chestnut-ge

 

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf
November 4, 2022

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in NJ

New HPAI case in New Jersey, November 3, 2022

(TRENTON) – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) has confirmed a new Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) case in a Bergen County backyard flock (non-poultry) as classified by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The disease response is being coordinated between state and federal partners.  – Jeff Wolfe, NJ Ag.

For the full press release please go to:

 

New HPAI case in New Jersey – October 22, 2022.

(TRENTON) – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) has confirmed a new Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) case in an Ocean County backyard flock (non-poultry) as classified by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The disease response is being coordinated between state and federal partners. – Jeff Wolfe, NJ Ag.

For additional information see: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/news/press/2022/approved/press221022.html

“Second 2022 HPAI case in New Jersey” – Jeff Wolfe

October 14, 2022. (TRENTON) – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) confirmed the state’s second Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) case in 2022 in a Warren County non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry). The disease response is being coordinated between state and federal partners.

The test samples were collected from ducks in Warren County and were tested at the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. The duck flock had experienced high mortality, and some displayed neurologic signs before succumbing to the disease. Congruent testing was completed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, which confirmed detection of the disease on October 13, 2022. The virus is believed to have spread through wild birds, which were found deceased on the property and tested positive for HPAI.

State and federal personnel are following the appropriate response plan, including implementing site quarantine, proper biosecurity measures, and depopulation of poultry on the premises. Additionally, outreach to poultry owners, live bird markets, and the general public at www.nj.gov/agriculture has been completed to provide recommendations on poultry management and measures to ensure the maintenance of a healthy flock.

HPAI is highly contagious and often fatal in domestic poultry species. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern. As a reminder, poultry and eggs’ proper handling and cooking to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F kill bacteria and viruses.

Signs of HPAI in poultry can include:

  • Sudden death
  • Decrease in feed or water consumption
  • Respiratory signs such as coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge
  • Swelling around the eyes
  • Open-mouth breathing
  • Darkening of the comb/wattles
  • Reddening of the shanks or feet
  • Decreased egg production
  • Lethargy

HPAI spreads through contact with bodily secretions, including feces, ocular, nasal, or oral secretions from infected birds. The virus can spread on vehicles, equipment, shoes, etc. Practicing good biosecurity can help prevent the spread of HPAI onto a farm.

Those biosecurity practices include:

  • Eliminating exposure of domestic birds to wild birds. Minimizing standing water and extra feed in the environment that might attract wild birds.
  • Avoiding contact with other poultry.
  • Keeping a specific set of shoes and clothing for tending to poultry. Disposable boot covers or a foot bath that is changed regularly are other measures that can be used.
  • Minimizing the number of people who visit the birds.
  • Avoiding sharing equipment with other flocks and using appropriate disinfectants for equipment that must come onto a farm.

HPAI is a reportable disease. Any individual who shall gain knowledge or suspect the existence of the disease shall notify this office without delay. Deceased birds suspected of having Avian Influenza should be double-bagged and stored appropriately for testing. Do not expose dead poultry to the environment, other poultry, or wildlife/wild birds. Wash your hands after handling sick or dead birds.

If you suspect HPAI, please alert the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.

For additional information about the disease and outreach materials, go to:

###” – Press release from the NJ Department of Agriculture.

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock
November 1, 2022

Wheat, Other Small Grain Variety Trial Links

2022 Oregon: https://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/wheat/osu-wheat-variety-trials

2022 Indiana: https://extension.purdue.edu/county/knox/_docs/2022-wheat-trial-final-report.pdf

2022 Pennsylvania: https://extension.psu.edu/2022-barley-and-winter-wheat-performance-trials

2022 Ohio: https://ohiocroptest.cfaes.osu.edu/wheattrials/

2022 Maryland: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/2022-small-grain-variety-trials

2022 Tennessee: https://search.utcrops.com/wheat-2

North Carolina: https://officialvarietytesting.ces.ncsu.edu/2022/07/2022-nc-ovt-wheat-barley-and-oats-data-now-available/

2022 Texas: http://varietytesting.tamu.edu/wheat/

 

Resources on sourcing Local Grains/Whole Grains Council: https://wholegrainscouncil.org/find-whole-grains/local-grains

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
November 1, 2022

USDA Grain Transportation Reports

The USDA Grain Transportation Report is a weekly publication from the Agricultural Marketing Service. The weekly highlights cover snapshots by sector for Export Sales, Truck, Rail, Barge, and Ocean movements.

Past reports provide a snapshot of production costs and grain delivery to ports, and how grains were ‘moving’ along in the system. These reports are useful for penciling out capital risk. For example: 

October 8, 2015 report: National diesel fuel price $2.49

  • page 2, feature article: The importance of China to Grain Transportation and Logistics.
  • page 4, current transportation issues: slow demand for barge services. No significant rail disruptions.
  • page 4, grain transportation cost indicators: Using a base year 2000 = 100 value (biweekly value shown)
    • truck 165
    • rail 255
    • barge 359
    • gulf 147
    • pacific 126
  • page 13, barge movements, all commodities nearly all above three year trend since July.

October 25, 2022 report: National diesel fuel price $5.34

  • page 2, feature article: Using inspection data and services metrics to analyze grain rail exports.
  • page 4, grain transportation cost indicators: using a base year 2000 = 100 value (biweekly value shown)
    • truck 358
    • rail 332
    • barge 1112
    • gulf 284
    • pacific 262
  • page 12, barge movements, all commodities nearly all below three year trend since July.

For more indepth reading on these reports and more, see the website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/transportation-analysis/gtr-datasets

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
November 1, 2022

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in NJ

New HPAI case in New Jersey – October 22, 2022.

(TRENTON) – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) has confirmed a new Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) case in an Ocean County backyard flock (non-poultry) as classified by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The disease response is being coordinated between state and federal partners. – Jeff Wolfe, NJ Ag.

For additional information see: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/news/press/2022/approved/press221022.html

“Second 2022 HPAI case in New Jersey” – Jeff Wolfe

October 14, 2022. (TRENTON) – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) confirmed the state’s second Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) case in 2022 in a Warren County non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry). The disease response is being coordinated between state and federal partners.

The test samples were collected from ducks in Warren County and were tested at the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory. The duck flock had experienced high mortality, and some displayed neurologic signs before succumbing to the disease. Congruent testing was completed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory, which confirmed detection of the disease on October 13, 2022. The virus is believed to have spread through wild birds, which were found deceased on the property and tested positive for HPAI.

State and federal personnel are following the appropriate response plan, including implementing site quarantine, proper biosecurity measures, and depopulation of poultry on the premises. Additionally, outreach to poultry owners, live bird markets, and the general public at www.nj.gov/agriculture has been completed to provide recommendations on poultry management and measures to ensure the maintenance of a healthy flock.

HPAI is highly contagious and often fatal in domestic poultry species. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern. As a reminder, poultry and eggs’ proper handling and cooking to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F kill bacteria and viruses.

Signs of HPAI in poultry can include:

  • Sudden death
  • Decrease in feed or water consumption
  • Respiratory signs such as coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge
  • Swelling around the eyes
  • Open-mouth breathing
  • Darkening of the comb/wattles
  • Reddening of the shanks or feet
  • Decreased egg production
  • Lethargy

HPAI spreads through contact with bodily secretions, including feces, ocular, nasal, or oral secretions from infected birds. The virus can spread on vehicles, equipment, shoes, etc. Practicing good biosecurity can help prevent the spread of HPAI onto a farm.

Those biosecurity practices include:

  • Eliminating exposure of domestic birds to wild birds. Minimizing standing water and extra feed in the environment that might attract wild birds.
  • Avoiding contact with other poultry.
  • Keeping a specific set of shoes and clothing for tending to poultry. Disposable boot covers or a foot bath that is changed regularly are other measures that can be used.
  • Minimizing the number of people who visit the birds.
  • Avoiding sharing equipment with other flocks and using appropriate disinfectants for equipment that must come onto a farm.

HPAI is a reportable disease. Any individual who shall gain knowledge or suspect the existence of the disease shall notify this office without delay. Deceased birds suspected of having Avian Influenza should be double-bagged and stored appropriately for testing. Do not expose dead poultry to the environment, other poultry, or wildlife/wild birds. Wash your hands after handling sick or dead birds.

If you suspect HPAI, please alert the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.

For additional information about the disease and outreach materials, go to:

###” – Press release from the NJ Department of Agriculture.

 

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