June 2, 2020

Are Disinfectant Wipes Working for You?

Disinfectant wipes can seem like an easy Disinfecting wipesoption to disinfect surfaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Label instructions for disinfectant wipes include a “allow to remain wet” statement for efficacy. In many cases, the surface needs to stay wet for at least 4 minutes in order to be effective. Check your product label to verify the time for your specific wipes.

How wet your wipe is to start, how large of a surface you use the wipe on, the surface type and environmental conditions will all impact how long the surface stays wet. In a simple test to evaluate the ability to maintain the required wet time, three disinfectant wipe products were tested on fours surfaces. In an indoor setting at 70 degrees and 60% relative humidity without much air movement these wipes were used on a finished wood surface, a solid countertop, a plastic folding table, and a plastic table cloth. In all cases one wipe on a 4 [Read more…]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , ,
June 2, 2020

EPA Releases Temporary Guidance on Respiratory Protection for Agricultural Pesticide Handlers During COVID-19

U.S. EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention sent this bulletin at 06/01/2020 03:35 PM EDT Additional Information There is no higher priority for EPA than protecting the health and safety of Americans, especially during the COVID-19 public health emergency. EPA has heard from states and stakeholders about Personal Protective Equipment shortages in the […]
Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
June 1, 2020

Hand Sanitizers for Use in the Field

Under the “Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, Their Employers, and Housing Providers”, employers are required to provide hand sanitizers with at least 60-95% alcohol in various locations and employers are to schedule handwashing breaks every hour.  If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol may be used.  Hand sanitizers may be difficult to find, but a grower can make their own.  Visit the onfarmfoodsafety.rutgers.edu website for a factsheet entitled “Home-made Hand Sanitizer”.  This walks you through how to make a cheap effective sanitizer.

The next question is, what is the proper method to apply and use the sanitizer?  Research has shown that a two-step sanitizer method is the best method for alcohol-based sanitizers.

  1. Step 1: Apply three pumps of sanitizer from the dispenser.
  2. Step 2: Rub hands for 20 seconds making sure to cover the palms, backs of hands, and between fingers up to the wrists.
  3. Step 3: Wipe the hands on a disposable paper towel.
  4. Step 4: Apply one pump of the sanitizer from the dispenser.
  5. Step 5: Rub hands until dry.

Hand sanitizers do not take the place of handwashing before starting or returning to work; after using the toilet; before and after eating and smoking; before putting on gloves; after touching animals or animal waste or any other time hands may become contaminated under the Food Safety Modernization Act or for most audits.

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
May 28, 2020

Webinar Scheduled – Liability for Transmission of COVID-19 to Customers of Farm & Food Businesses

The Northeast Center for Advancement of Food Safety at the University of Vermont announced an upcoming webinar hosted by Farm Commons that might be of interest.

Liability for Transmission of COVID-19 to Customers of Farm & Food Businesses
Friday, May 29th at 4pm Eastern

If your actions lead to a customer contracting COVID-19, are you legally liable? Join us for a webinar discussing whether, when, and how, this legal risk could befall a farm or food business, including farmers markets and food hubs. Essential steps to minimize the legal risk to the business will also be covered. Insurance always plays a role when it comes to injury, so the role of insurance and important questions to ask one’s insurance provider will be discussed. The legal landscape develops by the day with state and federal government changes also on the agenda. This clear, focused webinar will emphasize what you can do to protect your business.

Register at this link.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , ,
May 26, 2020

Last “Ask the Ag Agent” Webinar Tonight at 7:00PM

The last springtime Rutgers Cooperative Extension, “Ask the Ag Agent” weekly 1-hour sessions for farmers will take place tonight 5/27/20 at 7:00PM. We realize the season is well underway and most farmers are out in the fields. With the regular sessions ending for now, please reach out to your local County Agricultural Agent at anytime for assistance. We are open for business, and as times have changed we have changed with them.

This last online webinar/call in event will begin promptly at 7:00PM with an open forum to discuss ag-related questions about production, marketing, regulations and any other topics farmers wish to discuss.

Thank you to all who joined each week over the past two months and thank you to the Ag Agents and Extension Specialists who have participated. Bill Bamka, Stephen Komar, Meredith Melendez and Michelle Infante-Casella created and hosted this forum one week after the State of NJ went into lockdown and it has been quite the journey. Please join us for one last session for spring. All are welcome.

To access via WebEx on a computer go to https://go.rutgers.edu/rc9n3kxt

Join by phone
+1-650-429-3300 USA Toll
Access code: 799 743 872 # and then # again to join

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With:
May 22, 2020

COVID-19 and Animals

Currently, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.  Based on the limited data available, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is low.  In some rare situations, people may be able to spread the virus to animals.  Further studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by the virus, and the role animals may play in the spread of COVID-19.  The clinical spectrum of illness for the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains largely undefined in animals.  Animals may present with respiratory or gastrointestinal clinical signs based on the presentation of other coronaviruses more commonly found in animals as well as other emerging coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-1 infection.   Clinical signs expected to be compatible with possible SARS-CoV-2 infection in mammalian animals may include fever, coughing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, lethargy, sneezing, nasal/ocular discharge, vomiting,and diarrhea.

Although there have been limited reports of domestic companion animals testing positive for COVID-19, the risk of transmission from animals to humans is thought to be low. Routine COVID-19 testing is not recommended.

Please see the following factsheet from the State Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health :

COVID-19 and Animals.

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