Fruit Crops Edition - Blueberry Section

Seasonal updates on diseases, insects, weeds impacting small fruit (blueberry, cranberry, and wine grape). Fruit Pest Alerts are also available via this category feed.
 
Subscription is through the general Fruit feed available via EMAIL and RSS.

May 16, 2014

Pesticide Worker Protection Inspection Warning

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Pesticide Control Program (NJDEP) has announced that federal agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) compliance farm inspections will be conducted mid-May through July. Be a prepared agricultural employer. Take the necessary actions this week to make sure your farm is in compliance to avoid citations.

Two outstanding farm employer resources on agricultural WPS compliance are:
1. EPA Ag Employer Quick Reference Guide (2005)
2. EPA website How to Comply with the Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides: What Employers Need to Know

These are inspections by the US EPA, although NJDEP inspectors may accompany them. Approximately 20 to 30 inspections are slated to be conducted any time from May through July.

 

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape
May 15, 2014

Fruit IPM Report May 14, 2014

This week in Fruit IPM

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB):
Emergence from overwintering sites has started!
Both male and females are being found in pheromone traps and blacklight traps throughout the state. Any insecticides or insecticide mixes that are used for oriental fruit moth, plum curculio, codling moth or other pests should now include materials effective for BMSB.
  • Peach
  • Apple
  • Blueberry
  • Scouting Calendar
  • Trap Counts

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Tree Fruit
May 7, 2014

NABREW Conference June 23-26, 2014

NABREW

Click Image to View Flyer

North American Blueberry Research and Extension Workers Conference
Date: June 23-26, 2014
Location: Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, Atlantic City, NJ

Every 4 years, research and extension workers from throughout North America and abroad meet to exchange ideas and research results on current blueberry issues. This year’s conference is being hosted by Rutgers University and USDA at the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel, New Jersey.

New Jersey is “Where it all began” – where highbush blueberries were first bred and cultivated. In addition to updates on current extension and research activities, there will be tours of a winery, blueberry production areas and packing facilities. The program will highlight new varieties, and the management of diseases and invasive pests like spotted wing drosophila (SWD).
Program information can be found on our web site,
http://www.group-res.com/NABREW/default.aspx

Filed Under: Blueberry
May 6, 2014

Fruit IPM Report May 6, 2014

This week in Fruit IPM

  • Peach
  • Apple
  • Pear
  • Blueberry
  • Scouting Calendar
  • Trap Counts

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Tree Fruit
April 28, 2014

BMSB Survey

“Are you a grower? Got stink bugs? We need your help! We’re surveying growers to assess the impact of BMSB on crops and gathering information that will help us defeat this pest.

Receive a free Guide to Stink Bugs* if you complete the 10-minute BMSB survey”
https://cornell.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5ssnjXLNhvp6v1H
Thanks in advance! – From the Northeast IPM Center

The BMSB Working Group, through NE IPM Center and Cornell University, is collecting information from farmers on BMSB impact and management. If you have time, please fill out this short survey. It will help to gather information that we can use to identify what’s working and what we still need to do.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Cranberry, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape
April 25, 2014

Organic SWD Management Survey

There is a national effort to identify management options for no-spray or organic growers that are trying to manage spotted wing drosophila. If you are an organic grower, please consider filling out this survey to help researchers prioritize areas of research.
Organic Grower Survey on Spotted Wing Drosophila

Filed Under: Blueberry, Wine Grape