September 16, 2022

Sept 22 HighPath Avian Webinar for Backyard Producers

USDA Defend the Flock Program

Navigating Avian Influenza: from prevention to recovery

Webinar Registration – Zoom

Learn from USDA and other experts about how to keep your flocks safe from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This session is for enthusiasts, farmers, educators, and anyone interested in signs and symptoms of HPAI, what to watch out for during fall migration, and how to develop an effective biosecurity and response plan. Hear about one educational farm’s experience managing a potential HPAI outbreak and get tips on how to keep your poultry flocks safe.

 

Time: Sep 22, 2022 02:30 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized
September 14, 2022

Hessian Fly-Free Planting Date Reminder

Grower planting small grains for ‘grain’ harvest next year should review the Hessian fly-free planting date for their area. Wheat is more at risk, rye for grain is least at risk.

Additional information on this season’s damage in wheat in Salem County can be found at: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/crop-progress-and-hessian-fly-sightings/

Penn State article on early planting and risk of hessian fly damage

Penn State Fact Sheet on Hessian Fly 

Beck’s Hybrids has a map on their website that is also helpful to gauge your location

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
September 14, 2022

High Probability of Downed Droughty Corn During Hurricane Season

The national oceanic and atmospheric agency at Colorado University has released their forecasting for the next two months of the Hurricane and Tropical Storm Season. The strong La Nina is persisting into a third year coupled with decreasing water temperatures returning closer to normal for this time of year are reportedly similar to 1999, 2000, 2011 and 2021 conditions.

Field corn: The stalk stability of droughty corn is much less tolerant to high winds than non-droughty corn. Given the drought conditions, corn producers may have the ability to harvest corn earlier than normal due to rapid dry down on the cob. Current soil moisture conditions are very suitable for fitting fields for winter small grain establishment.

Moldy cornAspergillus mold species often show up after drought conditions, posing a significant risk of aflatoxins in the corn crop if present. Aspergillus molds are carcinogenic to people and cause losses in livestock and poultry. Combine operators and elevator operators should take precautions against inhaling fungal spores. Signs of Aspergillus ear rot include evidence of powdery olive-green mold on the ear tip or on kernels in the ear.

Corn with brown spots

Fusarium ear rots are also probable in fields that had significant high humidity and high temperatures as grains are developing to black layer. Fusarium molds show up as white to pink cotton-like growths mold scattered throughout the ear. A starburst like pattern may occur on infected kernels that may also be brown in color.

*Inhaling poison ivy volitile oils and ivyleaf morning glory and jimson weed dust as they go through the combine along field edges should also be avoided. 

For additional images see https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/encyclopedia/aspergillus-ear-rot-of-corn

Hurricane Season: Hurricane forecasters have stated that this La Nina and nearer to average water temperatures are similar to 1999, 2000, 2011 and last year. Given that in 1999, 11.41 inches of rain fell in Salem County; and in 2000, 5.76 inches fell in Salem County; and in 2011, 6.19 inches fell in Salem County in the month of September, producers who can harvest early may want to consider higher moisture harvest if standability is an issue. Hurricane season peaks from mid-August to mid-October with the season ending on Nov. 30.

Soybeans: Soybean fields should be walked for signs of stem snap in areas with high levels of soybean stem borer activity in 2020 and where July herbicide applications visibly stressed plants during the height of the drought this season. Due to in season stresses, bean maturity in the pods may be farther along in some fields than leaves indicate. If 90% of the beans are tan, test moisture levels frequently.

Salem County producers can pick up mycotoxin plant analysis bags at the extension office. Current pricing from regional laboratories are as follows:

1. NJ Department of Agriculture website submission form: (click link)

Mycotoxin test. Please call the laboratory to check on current availability and pricing

 

2. Dairy One Mycotoxin Testing: (click link)

  • Mycotoxin Panel $105: Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, Vomitoxin, Zearalenone, T2, 3-acetyl DON, 15-acetyl DON
  • Ochratoxin A $77
  • Fumonisin B1, B2, B3 $77
  • Full Panel $210

3. Dairyland Laboratories Individual Toxins: (click link)

  • Aflatoxin  $55.00
  • Vomitoxin (DON) $55.00
  • Zearalenone $55.00
  • T-2 /HT2 $55.00
  • Fumonisin  $55.00
  • Ochratoxin $55.00

Check out the historical storm map maker image below at https://spacecoastdaily.com/2019/08/noaa-historical-hurricane-tracks-explore-more-than-150-years-of-historical-hurricane-landfalls/

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
September 6, 2022

Survey of cole crops and leafy green growers – novel weed control technology

Tractor

Several university weed scientists from around the U.S. (Clemson, Cornell, UC Davis, Florida, Michigan State, Rutgers, Arkansas) have developed a survey as part of a Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) planning grant (SC-2021-07806 DEVELOPING A NATIONAL TEAM TO OPTIMIZE NON-HERBICIDE WEED MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES IN COLE AND LEAFY GREEN CROPS).

We would appreciate if you could share it with your constituents and cooperators (growers, crop consultants, extension personnel, industry partners) via newsletters, email blasts or other outreach efforts.

 ** WE NEED YOUR INPUT! **

 

Tractor for extracting weedsWeed management in vegetables can be difficult due to a shrinking labor pool, which is becoming more costly to source, and a lack of effective herbicides. Research and extension efforts must focus on integrating novel weed technology into current crop production systems. Autonomous and semi-autonomous robotic weed control technology has been implemented by some vegetable growers, mainly in the Western US, but is not universally available to or adapted by many producers. This survey is designed to new tools of interest (e.g. precision sprayers or cultivators, electrical weeders, drones, etc.) for managing weeds in cole crop and leafy green systems as well as the environmental, physical and economic barriers to adoption. The results of this survey will benefit vegetable growers by enabling the research team to develop relevant and realistic research efforts informed by the needs of and constraints faced by our local stakeholders. Specifically, we will use survey data to develop a multi-regional USDA grant proposal to bring grower-specified technology to each our states for evaluation and demonstration under a variety of commercial conditions and provide growers with an economic assessment of their performance relative to current best management practices.

The survey is voluntary and anonymous. All replies will be de-identified. It should take less than 10-15 minutes to complete. The link is below.

https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1IfwcgkAXC9i6h0

 

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Thierry Besançon, Associate Professor and Extension Weed Science Specialist for Specialty Crops, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, thierry.besancon@rutgers.edu.

Tractors

 

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , , ,
September 2, 2022

Rabies Awareness. Be Alert to Rabies While on Vacation

During prolonged droughts, rabies cases in the wild (raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats etc.) and in feral cats and dogs is known to increase compared to prior years. As the holiday weekend ensues, and many are going to campgrounds and parks and visiting friends out of town, be alert to the presence of rabies in multiple counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and take precautions to not be bitten. If a wild animal actively chases you, do not let the animal bite you.

Livestock can and do get rabies. Cases of reports in cattle have occurred in Pennsylvania in 2022. In their March report, two cows and a horse tested positive for rabies in the state. In the last eleven years, twelve horses have tested positive for rabies in New Jersey.

2022 NJ reported rabies cases by counties link: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/rabies_stats/rabcases2022.pdf

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/statistics/rabies-stats/

2022 PA reported rabies cases by counties. This map is from March 2022. Because in the course of a month, there has probably been a positve report of rabies in every county in Pennsylvania, assume rabies is present (still circulating in wild animals) in the county in September of 2022.  https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Animals/AHDServices/diseases/Pages/Rabies.aspx

If you are bitten by any wild animal or feral animal or even a domesticated pet or livestock, it is recommended that you:

  • Report to the local police so they are aware.
  • If a wild or feral animal, also report to Game-wildlife regional office.
  • Go to the hospital and fill out a public health notification form. This form notifies the state public health office, and a nurse will call you to advise you of the rabies monitoring period and treatment protocol.
  • Notify your local doctor as soon as possible.
  • Also, call your state reporting number so that the record of the attack is logged in their database.

Pennsylvania hotline: (717) 772-2852 / ra-ahds@pa.gov

New Jersey hotline: Contact the NJ Public Health and Environmental Laboratories, Rabies Laboratory: via email: rabies.PHEL@doh.nj.gov or. via telephone: (609) 530-8416, 671-6418 or 671-641.

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
September 2, 2022

Rabbit Owners. Protect Wild Rabbits from Emerging Rabbit Disease

Pennsylvania has detected a case of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) case in domestic rabbits in Western Pa. This follows on the heels of a New Jersey detection in March of 2022. RHDV has been evolving and spreading in pet rabbits since cases were first detected in North America in 2000.

Because this is an emerging disease, it is possible we can limit widespread infection in domestic and wild rabbits by practicing biosecurity measures at home and not releasing or disposing of domestic rabbits into the wild.

Example Timeline of RHDV1 Strain Detections in North America | and evolution into RHDV2 Strain

  • 2000 (Iowa)
  • 2001 (Utah, Illinois, New York)
  • 2005 (Indiana)
  • 2008 (Maryland)
  • 2010 (Minnesota)
  • 2016 (Quebec, Canada) detection of the more contagious RHDV2 strain*
  • 2018 (Ohio) detection of the more contagious RHDV2 strain*
  • 2018 (Pennsylvania)
  • 2019 (Vancouver, Canada) detection of a different strain of the contagious RHDV2 strain*
  • 2019 (Washington) detection of the more contagious RHDV2 strain*
  • USDA APHIS notice on 2019 outbreak link is here
  • In recent Canadian outbreaks of RHDV2, the death rate was close to 90%.
  • 2020 Outbreak of (RHDV2) associated disease occurred in the southwestern United States following its first detection in New Mexico in March
  • 2020 (New York City, 13 cases linked to a veterinary hospital) RHDV2 strains*
  • 2022 (New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Oregon)
  • 2022 (New Jersey)

* This new strain is able to infect a wider variety of rabbit species including wild rabbits.

If you notice these symptoms in rabbits, isolate them and contact your veterinarian and your state’s Division of Animal Health. If you see dead wild rabbits that lack explanation, contact your state Game and Wildlife Division:

  • Rabbits die suddenly without symptoms
  • Rabbits have a fever
  • Rabbits are uncoordinated, excessively excited, have convulsions, paddling, or paralysis
  • Rabbits have difficulty breathing just before death
  • Rabbits have bloody discharge from nose or stools
  • Rabbits have eye hemorraghes

To protect the wild rabbit population, do not release domestic rabbits into the wild and do not dispose of dead rabbits in the wild.

For more information about measures in New Jersey see the state press release: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/news/press/2022/approved/press220513.html

If you are traveling between or through states, be aware of the interstate-intrastate quarantine regarding domestic rabbit movements in Pennsylvania. The PA “Interstate and International Order of Quarantine is applicable to all States, Commonwealths and territories of the United States of America and any foreign country in which the dangerous transmissible disease RHD exists or there is a reasonable suspicion it exists.”

New Jersey residence who suspect RHDV2, should alert the NJDA, Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400. The 24-hour number to report a foreign animal disease to USDA APHIS VS Area Veterinarian in Charge is 866-536-7593.

Biosecurity measures rabbit owners can take regarding Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease can be found at:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fs-rhdv2.pdf

USDA APHIS Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Resources 

USDA (RHDV) Cleaning Guidance July 2020 

National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials (NASAHO) – RHDV Biosecurity Guidance 

NASAHO – RHDV Shows and Exhibitions Guidance 

 

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops