Fruit Crops Edition
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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NEW: Rutgers Private Applicator 2023 Online License Renewal Assistance Available Daily Until October 31st!
Hill-Up your Grapevines to Prevent Winter Injury
Freeze injury on grape flower buds and canes can cause crop loss and increased disease problems, but freeze damage at the graft union can kill the entire vine! The most effective technique for limiting freeze injury to the graft union is hilling up soil around the vines high enough to cover the graft union with 3 to 4 inches of soil. This practice is especially important for vines less than 5 years old. Now, before temperatures drop and the ground freezes is the time to get out there and hill up your vines. Factsheet 1264 https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1264/ details the following important aspects of hilling-up to protect the graft union from cold damage.
The principle of Hilling-up – How the soil works, both as a thermal mass that holds the heat and an insulator that slows heat loss.- How to perform effective hilling-up using available and specialized implements.
- Cost benefits of using the implements.
- Challenges such as timing, preventing damage to the drip lines and trunks during hilling-up; and how to address those challenges.
- The process of hilling down in the spring to prevent root formation above the graft union and proper weed management.
Tasting and Evaluations of New Jersey Wines – Pinot Noir, Coeur d’Est and Merlot
Greetings Everyone, 2022 Wine Tasting and Evaluations meetings are scheduled. Participants are invited to bring their own wine releases. Each wine tasting will be followed by discussions. Please respond to below surveys, on harvest parameters, wine making processes, etc. That will also form the basis for the discussion. [Read more…]
Driving into High Path Avian Influenza Quarantine Zones in PA. Know the rules.
September 28, 2022. There has been a significant area placed under quarantine in Lancaster County East Lampeter Township. Read below to refresh on the rules when driving into a HighPath Quarantine Area.
For those traveling to Lancaster County for equipment, supplies and feed, be aware of the 20km zone that includes areas near Ephrata, New Holland, Gap, Quarryville, and Manhiem locations; and the 10km zone that includes Lancaster and Stroudsburg areas; and the epic-center 3km zone.
Secretary Fisher has sent along the PADLS quarantine map to Ag Agents, you can contact your Ag agent for a copy of the map. The map when it is updated, can also be found at: https://padeptag.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a9066a3d68a443a08043766cb84bf4ae
“Migration season is underway and the virus is obviously in the environment. Please ensure all your poultry caretakers are practicing their best biosecurity, especially regarding using clean and dedicated footwear when entering the poultry houses.”- PADLS
Earlier this year….
As of 5/11/2022: The PA Department of Agriculture, via communications from Kevin D. Brightbill, DVM | State Veterinarian | Director is requesting continued compliance of the agriculture industry at large with the General Quarantine Order; Virus Control for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Poultry, Poultry Litter, Conveyances, Feed, Refuse, Containers and Material Standards for the existing control zones established in Lancaster and Berks County.
There is an Interstate (existing or carried on between states) and General Quarantine Order in effect in Pennsylvania; specific to Virus Control for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Vehicle, Container and Material Standards that is critical to abide by to prevent introduction of High Path. The specifics of “following the conditions and requirements of this Interstate and General Quarantine Order Order related to vehicles and products being transported including other domestic animals” can be found in the Pennsylvania Bulletin Volume 52 Issue 18 52 Pa.B. 2597 General Quarantine Order; Virus Control for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Poultry, Poultry Litter, Conveyances, Feed, Refuse, Containers and Material Standards.
https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol52/52-18/637.html
New Jersey agriculture producers, please be mindful of these efforts as you travel in and out of the location of the current quarantine area (10 kilometer radius) as shown in the PA DEPT AG MAP https://padeptag.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a9066a3d68a443a08043766cb84bf4ae.
Elsewhere in the region, please consider how you can help reduce potential spread as you travel to and from agriculture service centers in the region.
To stay up to date on the quarantine restrictions and recommendations related to disinfecting transportation vehicles and conveyances, please join the weekly Pennsylvania High Path Avian Influenza call by contacting Jennifer Reed – Harry, Penn Ag Industries at Email: jrharry@pennag.com
NJ Poultry Producers. To participate in the next South-Jersey Poultry Association monthly webinar with guest veterinarians from either USDA or state agencies, contact Melissa Bravo at the Salem County Extension Office.
Redroot and Smooth Pigweed: Non-Herbicide Management Options in Specialty Crops
Redroot and smooth pigweeds reproduce in abundance by seed which is easily transported across a farm. Using knowledge about the life cycle of this weed is important when making management decisions that require time and effort throughout a growing season. Learn more about non-herbicide management methods to control smooth and redroot pigweed populations on your farm by using the smooth and redroot pigweed decision tool fact sheet and a companion presentation. These resources are one of a five-part weed management series created by Extension Specialist Thierry Besancon and County Agricultural Agent Meredith Melendez, funded by USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant AM190100. You can provide feedback through an online survey about these resources.
SARE Farmer Grants for 2023 – Webinar on October 4th
Multiple Northeast SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) grant recipient Tommye Lou Rafes, of T.L. Fruits and Vegetables in West Virginia, is sharing her experiences to help other farmers experiment with new ideas through the Farmer Grant program.
At noon on October 4th, 2022, Rafes will join Northeast SARE Grant Coordinator Candice Huber for an informational webinar to assist farmers interested in applying for up to $30,000 in funding for projects beginning in March 2023. Registration is required and participants are encouraged to submit questions ahead of the event. The Call for Farmer Grant Proposals is currently available and the online system for submitting applications is opening soon. Applications are due November 15, 2022.
Northeast SARE Farmer Grants are perfect for farmers looking to grow through new practices. Rafes first learned about SARE while attending a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training. One of the professors hosting the meeting was a SARE reviewer who invited the attendees to apply for a grant. Rafes knew sustainable practices like using renewable-powered high tunnels to extend growing seasons could be good for business as well as the planet. “Growing in the winter months is a completely different way than you do in the summer months,” she said. “I decided to test varieties that were successful during the winter months as well as growing conditions that could be improved so that people would be more successful.”
Grant Coordinator Candice Huber says Farmer Grants are an opportunity for farmers to try things that could improve their operations. SARE funds can cover the farmer’s time on the project, any farm workers time spent on the project, supplies that are not capital purchase, technical support, soil testing and other budgeted items. Farmer grant projects generally are for one year.
If you have an idea and you need resources to really explore it, a Farmer Grant can connect you with those resources. This webinar will be a good starting point and participants must pre-register. See below.
To sign up for the October 4th webinar at 12:00PM go to https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6516611235851/WN_RoG_IkMmSDGsduZwmFgKkA
For information about the application for SARE Farmer grants see https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Northeast-SARE-Farmer-Grant-Call-for-Proposals.pdf
For general information about Northeast SARE go to Northeast SARE Home Page – SARE Northeast
