On-Farm Food Safety Section

Keep up with the latest news on this dynamic topic that impacts growers on multiple levels. Developing a farm food safety plan is a good idea for all growers, and may be required as part of food safety audits if you sell to certain buyers.

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April 8, 2024

Update on HPAI in cattle (called Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV))

As state and federal animal health officials continue to monitor and assess the situation involving Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) detections in dairy cattle (referred to as Bovine Influenza A Virus (BIAV) according to the American Association of Bovine Practitioners), they have provided additional information and guidance. There are still no similar cases reported or detected in New Jersey, but cattle farmers and veterinarians in the state are encouraged to remain updated on new recommendations.

Please read the update from Dr. Amar Patil, DVM, MVSc, Ph.D., Diplomate ACVM, Director of the Division of Animal Health/State Veterinarian: Update on HPAI in Cattle Memo April 4th 2024

You may also find more guidance from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): APHIS Recommendations for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 Virus in Livestock

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety
April 2, 2024

On-Farm Readiness Reviews Available

Have you gone through the Produce Safety Alliance training for the Produce Safety Rule?  If so, now is your chance to find out if your farm is ready for an inspection.  The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) and the Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety Team are collaborating to perform assessments on any farm who has gone through the PSR training. This is free and confidential for your operation.  One member from each team will walk around the farm with you and help you decide whether any changes may be required to pass an inspection.  The team will leave with you a list of the top three or four items considered most important.  All notes taken during the visit will be left with you and nothing will be photographed.  This is your opportunity to get a firsthand assessment about what you need to do before inspectors show up.

The best time for the team to visit is when the farm is getting close to harvest, so they can assess practices from field production through packing.  The assessment will take approximately two hours depending on the size of operation.

To schedule a review contact NJDA at 856-839-3388 or email: fvinspection@ag.nj.gov

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
March 28, 2024

USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Dairy Cattle

There has been a recent disease event of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle. These cases were found on dairy farms in Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas, and confirmed by samples submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Testing for HPAI was completed on these farms in response to the presence of deceased wild birds on premises with sick cattle. At this time, it seems to affect older, mid-lactation cows; dry cows and heifers have not displayed clinical signs. Clinical signs include decreased appetite, drop in milk production, thickened milk, abnormal feces, and fever. According to a statement by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), cattle appear to recover in two to three weeks with supportive care. As for food safety, milk from impacted animals is being diverted or destroyed so that it does not enter the food supply. AABP states that pasteurized milk and meat that is properly cooked remains safe for human consumption.

No similar cases in cattle have been reported or detected in New Jersey. However, all veterinarians and cattle producers in the state are encouraged to be alert for unusual or unexplained illnesses in their herds. At this time, practicing good personal and onsite biosecurity, as well as monitoring any changes in animal health and milk production, is recommended to minimize the risk of exposure to the virus. Biosecurity protocols should include limiting farm access to essential employees only, implementing strategies for wild bird determent, and the use of footbaths at barn entryways. If cattle present with the clinical signs described above, they should be isolated from the rest of the herd and reported to a veterinarian and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) Division of Animal Health (DAH) at 609-671-6400. Found deceased wild birds should be reported to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), at 1-877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337), and disposed of appropriately. The 24-hour number to report a foreign animal disease to USDA APHIS VS Area Veterinarian in Charge is 866-536-7593.

For more information about the current HPAI outbreak visit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/2022-hpai

Memo from Dr. Amar Patil, DVM, MVSc, Ph.D., Diplomate ACVM, Director of the Division of Animal Health/State Veterinarian: HPAI Dairy Cattle Memo March 2024

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety
March 28, 2024

South Jersey Vegetable Integrated Crop Management Twilight Meeting

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

East Vineland Fire Hall

4931 Landis Ave. across from the Savoy Restaurant

(please park behind the building and enter conference room door in rear)

 

USDA’s SARE Program – Resources and Farmer Grants

  • Michelle Infante-Casella, RCE Gloucester

Pesticide Safety and Compliance Tools for Growers and Applicators

  • Pat Hastings, RCE Pesticide Education Program Coordinator

Management Options for Allium Leaf Miner, Diamondback Moth, & Corn Earworm

  • Kris Holmstrom, RCE Vegetable IPM Program Associate

Implications of EPA’s Herbicide Strategic Plan to Comply with the Endangered Species Act &

Weed Management Strategies for Spring and Summer Vegetable Crops

  • Dr. Thierry Besancon, RCE Specialty Crop Weed Specialist

Unlocking the Power of Social Media Marketing Trends

  • Claudia Gil-Arroyo, RCE Cape May

Disease Control Options for Spring Vegetable Crops

  • Dr. Andy Wyenandt, RCE Vegetable Plant Pathologist

Changes to the New FSMA Water Rule Now in Place, and to the Harmonized Audit

  • Dr. Wes Kline, RCE Cumberland

Pesticide Recertification Credits have been requested for this meeting. We hope you’ll be able to join us.

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
March 28, 2024

Locations for NJ Pesticide Recycling Containers – 2024

Below are the locations and dates for recycling pesticide containers in New Jersey. Individuals dropping off containers (triple rinsed, holes drilled in bottom of container or slit with a knife & sans paper booklet on container) may do so during business hours and can pick up the form with a stamped self-addressed envelope to mail NJDA to confirm participation. Completed form must be returned to NJDA. Individuals with a valid NJ DEP Pesticide Applicators Licenses will receive 1 CORE point PER CALENDAR YEAR when confirming participation in this program.

More information can be found at www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/anr/nrc/processingsteps.html

Salem County
Helena Chemical, 440 N. Main St., Woodstown, NJ
Friday, April 19
Friday, May 17
Friday, June 21
Friday, August 23
Friday, September 20
Friday, October 18

Atlantic County
Helena Chemical, 66 Route 206 (North of the Route 30/206 intersection) Hammonton, NJ
Friday, April 12
Friday, May 10
Friday, June 14
Thursday, July 12
Friday, August 16
Friday, September 13
Friday, October 11

Monmouth County
Rutgers Fruit and Ornamental Research Extension Center
283 Route 539, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514-9634
Friday, April 26
Friday, May 24
Friday, June 28
Friday, July 26
Friday, August 30
Friday, September 27
Friday, October 25

Items that Will Not Be Accepted and Will Be Returned to the Participant:
• Pesticide containers with dried formulation on the container, pour spout or the spout threads
• Pesticide containers with any liquid residue
• Pesticide containers where the insides are caked with dried residue
• Mini-bulk, saddle tanks and nurse tanks, which can be made of fiberglass
• Pesticide containers with lids
• Containers that held any type of petroleum oil product or antifreeze

Non-Waxy Cardboard:
Helena Chemical will also be accepting non-waxy cardboard 1 p.m. to 3 p.m and during the scheduled pesticide container collection times. The clean non-waxy cardboard must be broken down and flattened. Cardboard delivered to the Atlantic County site must be tied.

Clean Non-waxy cardboard will also be accepted year-round at the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex’s Convenience Center.

More information can be found at: www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/anr/nrc/processingsteps.html

Filed Under: Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, pesticide credits, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , ,
March 18, 2024

USDA Webinar on Updates to the USDA Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices and GAP Plus+ Audit Standards

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will hold a webinar on the updates to the USDA Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and GAP Plus+ audit standards.

April 5, at 1 p.m. ET

Click here to REGISTER

These updates become effective May 1, 2024, and will allow AMS’ GAP audit services to remain applicable and relevant for its specialty crops industry customers.

The USDA Harmonized GAP and GAP Plus+ audit standards will be updated to align with the Produce GAPs Harmonized Combined Standard. Updates will include:

  • Adding more consistent language and reducing redundancy.
  • New requirements relating to water treatment, recall program, soil amendments, and maintenance.

For more information on the updates to the standards or the webinar, contact Jill Dunlop, AMS Audit Services Branch, at Jill.Dunlop@usda.gov.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Organic Production, Vegetable Crops