COVID-19: NJDEP Updates 2020 and 2021 Pesticide Certification & Licensing
Webinar Tomorrow: “Ask the Ag Agent” Fall Series, Every Other Wednesday at 7:00PM
Farmers and others are welcome to join this bi-weekly teleconference every-other Wednesday night from 7:00pm-8:00pm in September and October. Events are hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents working with the farming industry.
This call-in or WebEx webinar event features updates on farm management, crop conditions, farm industry observations, agricultural agency programs and other topics discussed by farmers, agricultural agents and other agricultural service providers.
Some topics for this Wednesday include:
1. Debate on the New Jersey Law on eliminating plastic bags and other containers
2. Public perception of agriculture with the pandemic
3. Update on the hemp industry and Rutgers hemp research
4. Discussions on winter educational programs with Rutgers Cooperative Extension
5. NJ DEP Pesticide License Testing to be handled by Rutgers OCEP in the future
6. Obtaining pesticide recertification credits next year
Hosted by Agricultural Agents Bill Bamka, Stephen Komar, Michelle Infante-Casella and Meredith Melendez, this bi-weekly communication provides a forum for discussion for farmers and all involved in NJ agriculture, including agricultural agency personnel, non-profit organizations and others.
To join the “Ask the Ag Agent” forum each week on a computer/tablet/smartphone via the WebEx Videoconference
Click Here to Join or use the link https://go.rutgers.edu/g4v4gy0x
To Join by phone call:
+1-650-429-3300 passcode 1202639477##
For this event and other Rutgers Cooperative Extension events see the NJAES Calendar.
Farm Worker Housing Simulator Shows How To Help Reduce COVID-19 Spread
Partnering with the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety (NEC), the Vessel Dynamics Laboratory at George Mason University created an online app that shows how various practices aimed to slow the spread of COVID-19 among farm workers in shared housing can work.
Room for Improvement: An Online Tool for Reducing the Spread of COVID-19 in Farmworker Housing allows you to put in information about your on-farm housing and it will show how coronavirus can spread through farmworker housing. You can change the size of the room, type of beds, number of workers housed, and a variety of preventative practices to see the impact on spread of the disease.
The simulator is available at https://vesseldynamics.com/research/farmworker-housing-simulator/. (Note that the simulator works best in Google Chrome.)
More information about farmworker safety programs from the NEC are available at https://www.necenter.org/.
Every Farmer Counts! 76th National Farm Safety & Health Week – Sept. 20-26, 2020.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension Ag and Natural Resources Dept Chair Nick Polanin has announced the good news that RCE has been able to hire Ms. Kate Brown as Program Associate II to work on commercial crop production in the RCE-Burlington County office. We welcome Kate to the job. In continuing some of the programs of retired County Agent Ray Samulis, Kate is now the Rutgers liaison to the NE Ag Safety and Health Coalition and has shared this news about next week’s celebration of National Farm Safety & Health Week (NFSHW). — Rick VanVranken [Read more…]
Spontaneous Combustion
When environmental temperatures reach the highs they have for much of this summer, there are risks of spontaneous combustion of hay supplies, and of manure piles, especially when moisture levels are elevated. Several years ago, horse manure pile on a farm in New York State burst into flames resulting in smoke and odors impacting nearby neighbors (https://www.wired.com/2016/08/manure-fire-new-york/).
The fire started in a large manure pile. With all of the hot weather in recent days, the interior temperature may have reached several hundred degrees. And if too wet, it is likely that bacterial activity caused the elevation of temperatures in the core of the pile and resulted in spontaneous combustion of the pile.
Normal composting will cause a manure pile to heat. The excess heat will destroy microbes that are present in the pile and ultimately the temperature will drop. But if the pile temperature gets too high – probably 180º Fahrenheit or higher, and is exacerbated by elevated environmental temperatures, there is a risk of spontaneous combustion.
When excess heat is expected in the manure pile, it should be turned and distributed into several smaller piles. The increased surface from this approach will allow greater heat loss from the pile. This may help to prevent combustion.
A similar fire in stored poultry litter occurred in Arkansas in 2017 (https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-manure-pile-fires-20170114-story.html). According to Dr. Karl VanDevender (as quoted in the article linked above), an extension engineer for the University of Arkansas System, normal composting occurs at 130 to 145 degrees. This is sufficient to kill pathogens, parasites, and weed seeds. However, temperatures in the 170 degree or greater range, raise the risk of fire. These types of fires in stored poultry litter are not uncommon. Whenever smoke is visible, extreme precautions must be in place.
The bottom line is that manure piles should be turned regularly when composting, manure should be disposed of properly, and manure piles should always be monitored to prevent overheating.
Overheating can also occur when hay is harvested and put up too wet. Small rectangular bales should have no more than 20% moisture and round bales should have no more that 18% moisture. This excess moisture can result in overheating of a hay stack, and combustion can result. Hay storage and barn fires still occur from time to time.
Some precautions can be taken if hay is suspected of being too wet. First, store hay out of doors, if possible for several weeks until heating risk is passed. Air movement is important so hay should be stacked loosely. Allow space between bales to allow good air circulation and heat dissipation. The more surface area between hay bales will speed drying by increasing the hay surface exposed to air. There are several preservatives on the market that can be sprayed on hay during the baling process. These will prevent fungal and bacterial growth, reduce heating, and improve storage value.
Steps to Consider When Using Rained-On Hay
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Remember to always check moisture levels before baling. For accurate results use a microwave, Koster or electronic, moisture tester.
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Recognize that rained-on hay will be more prone to molding due to the increased exposure to soil-borne fungi.
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Analyze hay for nutrient content and Relative Feed Value.
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Consult with your nutritionist and consider using this lower quality hay for livestock with low nutritional demands.
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Formulate diets based on Relative Feed Value, the nutrient content of the feed and the animal’s needs.
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Remember that rained-on hay may have toxins associated with spoilage. Never feed spoiled feed to a horse. This might be OK for feeding some classes of animals, but should be avoided when feeding animals that are reproducing or lactating.
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When fed it should be only a portion of a balanced diet.
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Consider utilizing a hay preservative when hay is too high in moisture or rained on.
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Pioneer Brand Products: Nutritional Insights https://www.pioneer.com/CMRoot/Pioneer/US/products/alfalfa/pdfs/alfalfa_harvest_rainedonhay.pdf
Heating of higher moisture hay can lead to loss off feed quality and in extreme circumstances, loss of hay by fires. Poor management of manure piles can also lead to overheating and combustion. Managing the processes (microbes) occurring in hay stacks and in manure piles can help to prevent fires such as the one described above.
Taken from the New Jersey Farmer, September 15, 2020
Hackettstown Livestock Auction Results for September 15, 2020
This auction sells: lambs, sheep, goats, calves, beef cattle, pigs, rabbits, and all types of heavy fowl. Auctions are held every Tuesday with the first sale beginning at 10:30 am and ending with the last sale at 5:30 pm. Hay, straw, grain, and firewood are also for sale.
Hackettstown Livestock Auction
Farm Fresh Eggs available for purchase by the case (30 doz.) or by the flat (2&1/2 doz.) in the main office Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. Also available some Monday’s and Friday’s but please call office first (908)-852-0444.
Click for auction results:
Hackettstown Auction Results 9-15-2020