Blueberries:
Aphids: In most cases, aphid colonies have already been treated. Growers have used various products with varying results. [Read more…]
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Seasonal updates on diseases, insects, weeds impacting tree fruit and small fruit (blueberry, cranberry, and wine grape). Fruit Pest Alerts are also available via this category feed.
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Blueberries:
Aphids: In most cases, aphid colonies have already been treated. Growers have used various products with varying results. [Read more…]
The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Training Program-RU Ready to Farm is looking for input from beginner farmers on what types of subjects they would like to see covered. The 2022 season of RU Ready to Farm will feature in person workshops that are open to the general beginner farmer community, and the focus and content of these workshops will be designed according to community need and interest. If you have been farming for fewer than 10 years and would like to contribute to the development of this workshop series, the survey can be found here: RU Ready to Farm Needs Assessment.
For more information about the RU Ready to Farm program, visit: https://rubeginnerfarmer.rutgers.edu/
Based on our degree-day model for Sparganothis fruitworm, flight initiation is expected at around 596 DD (see chart). As of June 06, Sparganothis has accumulated 706 DD (using March 1 as biofix; based on Wisconsin conditions) or 554 DD (using April 15 as biofix; a more realistic biofix based on the time when winter flood is removed from New Jersey beds). This indicates that flight activity has likely just started or will start in the next few days. Growers are advised to place pheromone traps for monitoring this pest as soon as possible if they haven’t done so already.
Degree-day model for Sparganothis fruitworm
NJ Governor Murphy signed Executive Order #243 rescinding EO#107 which requires employers to accommodate tele-work options for employees, and also lifts indoor mask mandates and 6ft social distancing requirements for vaccinated employees working indoors in businesses not open to public. Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher has provided a summary of the changes that may impact agriculture operations. The full text of his letter is attached here.
Peach:
Oriental Fruit Moth: We are still between 1st and 2nd generations at the present time. Growers that have utilized mating disruption for OFM should continue to focus on PC; GPA; and catfacing insect pests as described below.
Based on our degree-day model for Sparganothis fruitworm, flight initiation is expected at around 596 DD (see chart). As of May 30, Sparganothis has accumulated 607 DD (using March 1 as biofix) or 455 DD (using April 15 as biofix; a more realistic biofix based on the time when winter water was removed from most NJ beds). The later biofix indicates that flight activity will start very soon, i.e., within a week from now. Thus, growers are advised to place pheromone traps for monitoring this pest this coming week.
Degree-day model for Sparganothis fruitworm