Rutgers University | New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station | Pesticide User Responsibility

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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August 14, 2023

Produce Safety Planning Workshops for Beginning Farmers

This fall the Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety Team is rolling out two brand new classes as part of our From the Ground Up initiative to support new farmers and all small-medium size farms. Our goal in creating these two complementary programs is to give farmers the power to achieve success in food safety and business.

On Wednesday September 27, 2023, we will be debuting the new class called “From the Ground Up: Produce Safety Planning for Beginning Farmers” held at the Rutgers Specialty Crop Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge, NJ from 10:00am to 2:00pm. We designed this class to allow farmers to set themselves up for success in on-farm produce safety from the beginning, instead of having to go back later to correct infrastructure, systems, or training. A farm that has a well-established food safety culture is better able to meet market demands and consider production changes when planning for the future. Plan for your worker training needs, learn how to identify and reduce risk, and make a portable handwashing station to take home with you. Registration is $30.00 and includes lunch. Everyone who registers will get a voucher to attend our online “Food Safety Plan Writing Workshop” in October 2023 for free.

On Wednesday October 18th 2023, we will be holding our first Online Food Safety Plan Workshop from 6:00pm – 8:00pm Eastern Time via Zoom. The two-hour writing workshop will guide farmers through the step-by-step process of writing the plan best suited for their operation. All attendees will receive a customizable template to work with. A food safety plan can be used to standardize and streamline the training of new employees. This saves time in training and guarantees all members of a farm’s team take the same actions under the same circumstances. Having an on-farm food safety plan can guide farmers’ actions around food safety, forecast risk, serve as a worker training tool, and aid with overall organization.
Registration is $15.00 and free for everyone who attended our September 2023 program in Cream Ridge, NJ.

Follow these links to register and learn more about each class:
“From the Ground Up: Produce Safety Planning for Beginning Farmers”, Wednesday September 27, 2023, Cream Ridge, NJ, 10:00am – 2:00pm Eastern Time
“Online Food Safety Plan Workshop”, via Zoom, Wednesday October 18th 2023, 6:00pm – 8:00pm Eastern Time

Filed Under: Food Safety
July 28, 2023

What do the terms in a feed analysis mean?

We have had a requests for information about heat damaged hay and forage.   Forage put up too wet will overheat and may result in unavailable protein and hay  unsuitable for ruminant digestion.  A definition of the terms in a feed analysis may be useful.  Some of these terms are useful for ruminant animals (cattle, sheep, goats) only. 

Dry Matter or DM is the part of the forage that is not water.  Because of a large variation in moisture content of feeds, dry matter maintains a base line when expressing feed values and nutrient requirements of the animal.  Feed analysis is usually presented in both an As-Fed (contains moisture) and a DM basis.  Succulent feeds such as silage or green chop are much higher in moisture, and lower in DM, than are feed grains such as corn or barley.

Protein is represented as Crude Protein or CP and is a measure of the nitrogen content of the feed.  CP is essential for normal growth and body function of all animals, it is essential for meat, milk, eggs, and wool production.  Unfortunately, CP does not distinguish the nitrogen contained as “amino acid nitrogen” or “non-protein nitrogen.”  Most CP measured in feed analyses is made up of “amino acid nitrogen.”  Because of this, there are other measurements which will describe different protein fractions or non-protein nitrogen in feed.  Amino acids are the building blocks that make up proteins in meat, milk, eggs, and wool.  Ruminating animals can convert non-protein nitrogen into amino acids through fermentations that occur in the rumen of cattle, sheep, and goats.

Unavailable Protein is calculated from the nitrogen which is bound to the fiber in the feed.  Normally about 1 percent on a dry matter basis is found in this fraction.  Values greater than 1 percent may indicate heat damage.  Often referred to as heat damaged protein.

Degradable Protein is protein that is broken down in the rumen, mainly into ammonia.  Most rumen microbes need ammonia to produce rumen amino acids, maintain adequate microbial growth, and produce proteins that can be used by a ruminating animal for meat, milk, and wool production.

Undegradable Protein is also referred to as bypass protein.  It is protein fraction that is resistant to rumen microbial degradation and therefore bypasses the rumen.  Most of it can be digested in the small intestine.

Soluble Protein is that protein or non-protein nitrogen fraction which is degraded in the rumen rapidly.  Soluble protein is converted into ammonia in the rumen within a short time after being ingested, it is this ammonia that is made into microbial protein. The remainder of the degradable protein fraction may take hours to be broken down.

High producing ruminants require all these forms of protein in their diets.  This is essential to promote proper functioning of the rumen and to ensure that the maximum amount of digestion occurs in the rumen.

Neutral Detergent Fiber or NDF represents all of the cell wall material containing hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin.  NDF has been identified as being highly related to dry matter intake.  The NDF appearing on feed analyses is probably aNDF, referring to amylase treated NDF.  Amylase is an enzyme used to pre-treat the chemical’s used in NDF analysis.  a-NDF is currently the standard treatment used in NDF analysis.

Acid Detergent Fiber or ADF is the cell wall portion of a feedstuff that includes cellulose and lignin as primary components.  The higher the ADF content, the lower the digestibility of the feed stuff.   The most indigestible fractions of feed are the cellulose and lignin components which are often linked.

Acid Detergent Insoluble Nitrogen or ADIN may be referred to in a feed analysis as ADFCP, ADICP, or heat damaged protein (unavailable protein above).   The residue remaining in the ADF fraction is analyzed for nitrogen.   This value is an estimate of the protein that is unavailable to the animal and can be an estimate of overheating of forage that is put up too wet.  Hay put up too wet can undergo a process called enzymatic browning that occurs in the presence of protein and sugars when forage overheats.  The level of heat damage is determined by analyzing the forage for ADIN (Acid Detergent Insoluble Nitrogen).

Too little fiber can result in improper rumen functioning and off feed and other health problems, such as displaced abomasum and foot problems.  Too much fiber will mean decreased diet digestibility, decreased feed intake and decreased production.  Minimum target levels of ADF and NDF for dairy cows are 21 percent and 28 percent of the total diet, respectively.

Non-Structural Carbohydrates or NSC represent contents of plant cells and contains sugars, starches and pectins.  These are carbohydrates which are rapidly fermented in the rumen and utilized by rumen microorganisms.  It is essential to balance NSC with the different protein fractions to ensure proper microbial growth in the rumen.  If NSC is inadequate, the degradable and soluble protein will not be utilized to the greatest extent possible.

Energy Values are measured as Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) or Net Energy.   Net Energy is expressed as megacalories per pound of dry matter.  There are different NE calculations for maintenance, gain and lactation.  Almost all nutrient requirements used today and in feed testing are expressed as NE.  (Digestible energy is used for horses).  Units of NE are expressed as megacalories or mcal/lb.  These are usually determined by equation based on ADF, NDF, and the protein fractions.

Please see these two previous posts:
Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Uncategorized
July 27, 2023

Testing for heat damaged protein in hay/forage put up too wet

Two regional laboratories that could test for heat damaged proteins are:

Cumberland Valley Analytical Services (CVAS)

DairyOne Laboratory

 

Below is some information and factsheets below that may be useful about hay and forage that is put up too wet.

The upshot is that when hay is put up too wet it can undergo a process called called enzymatic browning that promotes a process called the Maillard reaction.  This occurs in the presence of protein and sugars when forage overheats.  The resulting “Maillard” products will make protein in forage unavailable to the animal and hay may be unsuitable for ruminant digestion.  The only means I know of determining the level of heat damage is by analyzing the forage for ADIN (Acid Detergent Insoluble Nitrogen).  This value can be compared to total protein and the level of damage determined.  I know of no one on campus who does this.  One of the regional forage labs would conduct this routinely.
  • High temperatures in bales (>170°F) can result in reactions between proteins and sugars called the Maillard reaction
  • Hay impacted by Maillard reactions will be sweet/tobacco smelling and brown/caramel colored
  • While highly palatable, the reaction creating this hay ties up protein, making it unusable for animal digestion
  • If significant signs of Maillard reactions are seen in your hay, add a Head Damaged Protein (HDP) test to your forage analysis to get accurate Crude Protein contents for feeding decisions
  • Caramelized hay also has a high likelihood of containing larger than normal amounts of mold growth.  Feeding free choice is a good option to minimize risk when feeding moldy hay
  • Please don’t forget other contaminants that can be concerns in wet or dry years such as mycotoxins, nitrates, etc.
  • Diluting the bad forage with good forage or grain is a possibility
  • Check with an extension agent or other authority before feeding
The following two University of Nebraska factsheets may be helpful.
Please don’t forget other contaminants that can be concerns in wet or dry years such as mycotoxins, nitrates, etc.

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Uncategorized
July 27, 2023

Heat damaged protein in hay/forage put up too wet.

Below is some information and factsheets below that may be useful about hay and forage that is put up too wet.

The upshot is that when hay is put up too wet it can undergo a process called called enzymatic browning that promotes a process called the Maillard reaction.  This occurs in the presence of protein and sugars when forage overheats.  The resulting “Maillard” products will make protein in forage unavailable to the animal and hay may be unsuitable for ruminant digestion.  The only means I know of determining the level of heat damage is by analyzing the forage for ADIN (Acid Detergent Insoluble Nitrogen).  This value can be compared to total protein and the level of damage determined.  I know of no one on campus who does this.  One of the regional forage labs would conduct this routinely.
  • High temperatures in bales (>170°F) can result in reactions between proteins and sugars called the Maillard reaction
  • Hay impacted by Maillard reactions will be sweet/tobacco smelling and brown/caramel colored
  • While highly palatable, the reaction creating this hay ties up protein, making it unusable for animal digestion
  • If significant signs of Maillard reactions are seen in your hay, add a Head Damaged Protein (HDP) test to your forage analysis to get accurate Crude Protein contents for feeding decisions
  • Caramelized hay also has a high likelihood of containing larger than normal amounts of mold growth.  Feeding free choice is a good option to minimize risk when feeding moldy hay
  • Please don’t forget other contaminants that can be concerns in wet or dry years such as mycotoxins, nitrates, etc.
  • Diluting the bad forage with good forage or grain is a possibility
  • Check with an extension agent or other authority before feeding
The following two University of Nebraska factsheets may be helpful.
Please don’t forget other contaminants that can be concerns in wet or dry years such as mycotoxins, nitrates, etc.

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Uncategorized
July 24, 2023

Agri-Technology and Vegetable Research Twilight Meeting

Where:  Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC), 121 Northville Rd., Bridgeton, NJ 08302

When:  Wednesday August 16, 2023, 5 PM until dark,  refreshments and ice cream will be served 

This year’s twilight meeting at RAREC will showcase new agricultural technologies for stakeholders in the state. We will showcase the newly installed agrivoltaics system established at RAREC and discuss new technologies for autonomous seeding and weeding as well as drone technologies for improving crop production and decision making. 

Agrivoltaics Research at Rutgers – Dan Ward, Director of Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) and the New Jersey Wine Center for Wine Research and Education; and Dave Specca, Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program lead.  The demand for clean energy and the development of new technologies for solar electricity generated on producing agricultural land (Agrivoltaics) has driven Rutgers/NJAES to investigate this hybrid technology. We are investigating the effects of putting elevated photovoltaic panels above numerous cropping systems to see what effects the panels have on the crops; and what effects the crops have on the panel’s electrical productivity. Our results will be used in economic models and other recommendations to assist farmers, landowners, and solar developers in deciding whether these combined technologies are a good choice for them.

Presentation and demonstration of Naio OZ autonomous seeding and weeding platforms – Thierry Besançon, Extension Weed Science Specialist for Specialty Crops, Rutgers.  The use of small-size electrical autonomous weeders such as the Naio Oz multitask and multi crop robot may help growers to lessen their reliance on fossil fuels for weeding vegetable productions. Using an autonomous weeder can also help alleviating some of the issues with labor availability, especially for burdensome activities such as manual weeding. The GPS guided Naio Oz platform is 100% electric (8 hours autonomy) and versatile through the use a variety of tools (drill, brushes, harrows, hoes blades…) that allow it to weed within and between the crop rows, make furrows, sow, and carry loads to the field. We will present and demonstrate the use of the Naio Oz for autonomous seeding and weeding, and discuss trials currently conducted at RAREC to evaluate weed control efficacy with this system as compared to conventional herbicides. 

In-crop cereal cover crop and living mulch trials for vegetables at RAREC – Thierry Besançon, Extension Weed Science Specialist for Specialty Crops, Rutgers.  Row-middle weed control in plasticulture vegetable production is becoming increasingly difficult due to a lack of effective herbicides, a need for multiple cultivations, or hand labor. Alternative solutions that integrate multiple weed control tactics are needed to address these issues. One solution is to use cover crops to aid in weed suppression along with an effective herbicide program. A field study is being conducted at RAREC in 2023 to assess the effects of integrating spring-seeded grass cover crops with herbicide treatments for weed control in watermelon. Results from 2023 and from previous studies conducted in 2021 and 2022 show that spring seeded grass cover crops can successfully be integrated with effective herbicide programs for improved weed control between plastic beds. 

The potential applications of using drones in agricultural production in New Jersey – Peter Oudemans, Professor and Director P.E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, Rutgers.  Drones or UAVs can be used to detect anomalies in agricultural fields to directly determine the impacts of disease, pests, weeds, and soil conditions on crop production. This information can be used to determine economic crop losses, pest management strategies, and provide a wealth of other information that can be used to improve crop production and management decisions by the grower. The potential benefits and drawbacks of using drones in agricultural production will be discussed along with a flight demonstration. 

Assessing the production potential of fiber hemp in New Jersey – Raul Cabrera, Extension Specialist in Nursery Production and Management, Rutgers.  The recent re-introduction of agricultural/industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) to New Jersey (2020 season) was initially focused on production of cannabinoid-rich (CBD, CBG) flowers. Saturation of the floral hemp market has abruptly and significantly dropped its economic viability and interest, and focus has shifted to hemp for grain and fiber production. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture funded a pilot program with Rutgers to evaluate the potential of hemp for fiber production, including the viability of agronomic production and potential industrial end uses (bioplastics, textiles, etc.). To this end, three experimental fiber hemp plots are being planted and evaluated at different locations in the state (north, central and south).

Syngenta Product Update – Erin Hitchner, Senior Research and Development Scientist, Syngenta.  An update will be given on upcoming product registration and overall pipeline development for new Syngenta active ingredients.  An overall description of the pesticide registration process and timelines will also be presented.

Understanding copper resistance development and controlling bacterial leaf spot of bell pepper with resistant varieties – Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology, Rutgers.  Over the past three years the pepper and tomato fields throughout New Jersey have been surveyed to determine what species of bacterial leaf spot caused by Xanthomonas spp. are present in the state and if copper resistance is present. Copper based fungicides have been used for decades for the control of bacterial diseases across many different vegetable crops, especially in tomato and pepper. Thus, it is not surprising that ~60% of the bacterial isolates collected throughout the state are resistant to copper fungicides. We will discuss how to control bacterial leaf spot and the benefits of adopting the use of X10R bell pepper varieties to help mitigate losses due to the pathogen.

Controlling Phytophthora blight in cucurbit and other vegetable crops – Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology, Rutgers.  Phytophthora blight, caused by Phytophthora capsici, is the most economically damaging vegetable disease in the state. It can cause significant losses in cucurbit, pepper, and tomato crops in any given year. We will discuss the most up-to-date information on how to control P. capsici in cucurbit and other crops using genetic resistance, cultural practice and fungicide chemistry.

Note:  Following pesticide credits have been requested:  CORE, PP2, 1A and 10

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
July 17, 2023

Agri-Technology and Vegetable Research Twilight Meeting

Where:  Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC), 121 Northville Rd., Bridgeton, NJ 08302

When:  Wednesday August 16, 2023, 5 PM until dark,  refreshments and ice cream will be served 

This year’s twilight meeting at RAREC will showcase new agricultural technologies for stakeholders in the state. We will showcase the newly installed agrivoltaics system established at RAREC and discuss new technologies for autonomous seeding and weeding as well as drone technologies for improving crop production and decision making. 

Agrivoltaics Research at Rutgers – Dan Ward, Director of Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) and the New Jersey Wine Center for Wine Research and Education; and Dave Specca, Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program lead.  The demand for clean energy and the development of new technologies for solar electricity generated on producing agricultural land (Agrivoltaics) has driven Rutgers/NJAES to investigate this hybrid technology. We are investigating the effects of putting elevated photovoltaic panels above numerous cropping systems to see what effects the panels have on the crops; and what effects the crops have on the panel’s electrical productivity. Our results will be used in economic models and other recommendations to assist farmers, landowners, and solar developers in deciding whether these combined technologies are a good choice for them.

Presentation and demonstration of Naio OZ autonomous seeding and weeding platforms – Thierry Besançon, Extension Weed Science Specialist for Specialty Crops, Rutgers.  The use of small-size electrical autonomous weeders such as the Naio Oz multitask and multi crop robot may help growers to lessen their reliance on fossil fuels for weeding vegetable productions. Using an autonomous weeder can also help alleviating some of the issues with labor availability, especially for burdensome activities such as manual weeding. The GPS guided Naio Oz platform is 100% electric (8 hours autonomy) and versatile through the use a variety of tools (drill, brushes, harrows, hoes blades…) that allow it to weed within and between the crop rows, make furrows, sow, and carry loads to the field. We will present and demonstrate the use of the Naio Oz for autonomous seeding and weeding, and discuss trials currently conducted at RAREC to evaluate weed control efficacy with this system as compared to conventional herbicides. 

In-crop cereal cover crop and living mulch trials for vegetables at RAREC – Thierry Besançon, Extension Weed Science Specialist for Specialty Crops, Rutgers.  Row-middle weed control in plasticulture vegetable production is becoming increasingly difficult due to a lack of effective herbicides, a need for multiple cultivations, or hand labor. Alternative solutions that integrate multiple weed control tactics are needed to address these issues. One solution is to use cover crops to aid in weed suppression along with an effective herbicide program. A field study is being conducted at RAREC in 2023 to assess the effects of integrating spring-seeded grass cover crops with herbicide treatments for weed control in watermelon. Results from 2023 and from previous studies conducted in 2021 and 2022 show that spring seeded grass cover crops can successfully be integrated with effective herbicide programs for improved weed control between plastic beds. 

The potential applications of using drones in agricultural production in New Jersey – Peter Oudemans, Professor and Director P.E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, Rutgers.  Drones or UAVs can be used to detect anomalies in agricultural fields to directly determine the impacts of disease, pests, weeds, and soil conditions on crop production. This information can be used to determine economic crop losses, pest management strategies, and provide a wealth of other information that can be used to improve crop production and management decisions by the grower. The potential benefits and drawbacks of using drones in agricultural production will be discussed along with a flight demonstration. 

Assessing the production potential of fiber hemp in New Jersey – Raul Cabrera, Extension Specialist in Nursery Production and Management, Rutgers.  The recent re-introduction of agricultural/industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) to New Jersey (2020 season) was initially focused on production of cannabinoid-rich (CBD, CBG) flowers. Saturation of the floral hemp market has abruptly and significantly dropped its economic viability and interest, and focus has shifted to hemp for grain and fiber production. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture funded a pilot program with Rutgers to evaluate the potential of hemp for fiber production, including the viability of agronomic production and potential industrial end uses (bioplastics, textiles, etc.). To this end, three experimental fiber hemp plots are being planted and evaluated at different locations in the state (north, central and south).

Syngenta Product Update – Erin Hitchner, Senior Research and Development Scientist, Syngenta.  An update will be given on upcoming product registration and overall pipeline development for new Syngenta active ingredients.  An overall description of the pesticide registration process and timelines will also be presented.

Understanding copper resistance development and controlling bacterial leaf spot of bell pepper with resistant varieties – Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology, Rutgers.  Over the past three years the pepper and tomato fields throughout New Jersey have been surveyed to determine what species of bacterial leaf spot caused by Xanthomonas spp. are present in the state and if copper resistance is present. Copper based fungicides have been used for decades for the control of bacterial diseases across many different vegetable crops, especially in tomato and pepper. Thus, it is not surprising that ~60% of the bacterial isolates collected throughout the state are resistant to copper fungicides. We will discuss how to control bacterial leaf spot and the benefits of adopting the use of X10R bell pepper varieties to help mitigate losses due to the pathogen.

Controlling Phytophthora blight in cucurbit and other vegetable crops – Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology, Rutgers.  Phytophthora blight, caused by Phytophthora capsici, is the most economically damaging vegetable disease in the state. It can cause significant losses in cucurbit, pepper, and tomato crops in any given year. We will discuss the most up-to-date information on how to control P. capsici in cucurbit and other crops using genetic resistance, cultural practice and fungicide chemistry.

Note:  Following pesticide credits have been requested:  CORE, PP2, 1A and 10

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