Hairy galinsoga spreads throughout a farm by seeds that germinate quickly once exposed to light, with multiple generations in a growing season. 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 hairy galinsoga populations on your farm by using the hairy galinsoga 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.
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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Hairy Galinsoga: Non-Herbicide Management Options in Specialty Crops
SLF: 2022 Management Recommendations in Vineyards
by Katarzyna Madalinska and Anne L. Nielsen
Adult SLF are moving into vineyards from the surrounding landscape. The number of SLF on each vine varies greatly within each vineyard and locations in the state. In most vineyards in NJ and PA there is a strong border effect with numbers highest along the outside rows. However, the orientation and shape of your vineyard influences border effects. SLF are actively feeding on grapevines and will continue to feed for 1-2 months. Most SLF are in the upper canopy and as the grapes start to store carbohydrates for the winter, SLF will move down the vine, eventually feeding at the base of the vine. Research suggests that feeding by adult SLF may harm primary bud formation the following season and reduce winter hardiness. There is not a specific treatment threshold, but a good rule of thumb is 10 SLF per vine. Movement into the vineyards will continue for several weeks so multiple insecticide applications may be needed.
Treatment at this time of year is of course complicated by pre-harvest intervals (PHI) for each insecticide and grape variety. It is important to remember that SLF will feed on vines post-harvest. There are several effective insecticides available with pre-harvest intervals and residual activity (Table 1). When treating vines pre-harvest, dead SLF are commonly observed in the clusters. Post-harvest, insecticides such as Danitol or Brigade/Bifenture/bifenthrin have the longest residual activity and are expected to reduce feeding.
There are several reasons to manage adult SLF in September and October during peak movement.
- Adults feed on the canes, cordon, and trunk of grape vines. Excessive feeding has been shown to lower winter hardiness by >1.5°C.
- SLF females lay egg masses in October. Killing females prior to egg laying will decrease population growth the following year.
Table 1. Effectiveness of Insecticides Against Spotted Lanternfly Adults. Modified recommendations from Leach et al. Crop Protection 2019 v. 24 DOI:10.1016/j.cropro.2019.05.027
| Trade name | Active ingredient | SLF Activity | Rate per acre | Seasonal Allowance | Residual Activity | PHI
(days) |
REI
(hrs) |
Labeled for SLF? |
| Mustang Maxx 0.8EC | cypermethrin | Good | 4 oz | 24 oz | <3 | 1 | 12 | Yes, 2(ee) |
| Scorpion 35SL | dinotefuran | Excellent | 5 oz. | 20.9 oz | <7 | 1 | 12 | Yes, 2(ee) |
| Actara 25WDG | thiamethoxam | Excellent | 3.5 oz | 7.0 oz | <14 | 5 | 12 | Yes, 2(ee) |
| Carbaryl 4L | carbaryl | Excellent | 1-2 qt | 10 qt | 7 | 7 | 12 | No |
| Avaunt 30DG | indoxicarb | Fair | 6 oz | 12 oz | 7 | 7 | 12 | Yes, 2(ee) |
| Danitol 2.4EC | fenpropathrin | Excellent | 16-21.33 oz | 42.66 oz | >26 | 21 | 24 | Yes, 2(ee) |
| Brigade 2EC | bifenthrin | Excellent | 3.2-6.4 oz. | 6.4 oz | 21 | 30 | 12 | Yes, 2(ee) |
There are several reasons to manage adult SLF in September and October during peak movement.
- Adults feed on the canes, cordon, and trunk of grape vines. Excessive feeding has been shown to lower winter hardiness by >1.5°C.
- SLF females lay egg masses in October. Killing females prior to egg laying will decrease population growth the following year.
Notes from the 2021 Chardonnay Wine Tasting and Evaluations Workshop
A Chardonnay wine tasting and evaluation workshop for winemakers was held on August 18, 2021, at the William Heritage Winery, located in Gloucester County. Chardonnay is one of the most suitable Vitis vinifera varieties for New Jersey for both north and south New Jersey. It is also one of the best white varieties for New Jersey in terms of consistency in ripening. It can be easily adapted in the winery for Sparkling, dry still varietals, and white wine blends. For example, a few wineries blended 75-80% Chardonnay with the remaining comprised of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc. The responses to a survey weeks before the event formed the basis of discussion at the workshop. Winemakers also described how they accomplished each of their wines. [Read more…]
USDA Assistance for On-Farm Food Safety Expenses
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a new program to offset some expenses related to preparing for the food safety requirements. The “Food Safety Certification For Specialty Crops” (FSCSC) will cost share expenses for:
- Developing a food safety plan for first-time food safety certification.
- Maintaining or updating an existing food safety plan.
- Food safety certification.
- Certification upload fees.
- Microbiological testing for products, soil amendments and water.
- Training.
The FSCSC application period for 2022 is June 27, 2022, through January 31, 2023, and the application period for 2023 will be announced at a later date. Farm Service Agency will issue payments at the time of application approval for 2022 and after the application period ends for 2023. If calculated payments exceed the amount of available funding, payments will be prorated.
Interested specialty crop producers can apply by completing the FSA-888, Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC) application. The application, along with other required documents, can be submitted to the FSA office at any USDA Service Center nationwide by mail, fax, hand delivery or via electronic means. Producers can visit farmers.gov/service-locator to find their local FSA office. Specialty crop producers can also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to assist.
Farm Storage Facility Loans
A second program that has been available for several years is the farm storage loan program. This covers cold storage construction along with equipment in a packing operations such as baggers, brush polishers, bulk bin tippers, cement flooring, circulation fans, dip tanks, conveyors, graders, refrigeration units, sizers, sorting bins and tables, trucks, washers, waxers, etc. A grower may borrow up to $500,000 for up to 12 years. If an operation needs to make major changes in a packinghouse or needs a refrigerated truck this program is worth considering. Contact your local FSA office for details.
RAM-AMS Harmonized GAP Assistance Program
The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) and USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) covers the cost of voluntary USDA Harmonized GAP and Harmonized Plus audits. This is only available for growers, producer cooperatives and food hubs. Once the audit is completed USDA will generate a bill to the auditee which summarizes the cost and then show a credit for the same amount. The funds will cover 100% of the audit fees. These funds are available for 2022 which may be the last year of availability.
Rutgers Specialty Crop Research and Extension Station Field Tour
Join Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the Monmouth County Board of Agriculture for a FREE twilight walking tour of some of the current research projects that are happening at the Rutgers Specialty Crop Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge.
Rutgers Specialty Crop Research and Extension Station Field Tour
September 20, 2022
5:30 – 7:00 pm
FREE
Location: 283 Route 539, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
Pesticide License Recertification Credits Available
- 1 credit CORE (BASIC SAFETY & HANDLING)
- 2 credits PP2 (PRIVATE APPLICATOR CATEGORY)
- 2 credits 10 (DEMONSTRATION & RESEARCH)
- 2 credits 1A (AGRICULTURAL PLANT)
To register or for more information, contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County at 732-431-7260 or email Catherine.vanBenschoten@co.monmouth.nj.us
Agenda
5:30 to 6:00 pm: Welcome, Sign-in, and Refreshments
6:00 to 6:15 pm: “Integrated Pest Management for Beginning and Experienced Farmers”
- Brendon Pearsall – Beginner Farmer Program Coordinator, Rutgers, NJAES, RCE
6:15 to 6:30 pm: “Low Input Native and Ornamental Plant Trials”
- Bill Errickson – Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent III – Monmouth County Rutgers, NJAES, RCE
6:30 to 6:45 pm: “Growing Ginger and Turmeric in in Moveable High Tunnels”
- Bill Errickson – Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent III – Monmouth County Rutgers, NJAES, RCE
6:45 to 7:00 pm: “Honey Bee, What’s in Your Pollen? Residuals and Pollen Diversity in Relation to Colony Health”
- Chelsea Abegg – NJAES – ANR Soils and Plant Technician
7:00 to 7:30 pm: Sign-out for Credits, Course Evaluations
7:30 pm: Monmouth County Board of Agriculture Meeting

Descriptions of Presentations
6:00 to 6:15 pm
“Integrated Pest Management for Beginning and Experienced Farmers”
Brendon Pearsall – Beginner Farmer Program Coordinator, Rutgers, NJAES, RCE
RU Ready to Farm: Getting Rooted in the Garden State – The Rutgers NJAES Beginner Farmer Training Program has just concluded its first year of hands-on training at the Specialty Crop Research and Extension Center in Cream Ridge. The program team will discuss the process of leading 12 first-time farmers through the planning and production of a 46-share CSA program. This year featured many challenges, and the students got to put their IPM training to good use as they were confronted with various pest and disease issues. We will highlight some of the techniques used to minimize the need to spray, including mechanical controls, attracting beneficial insects, and frequent scouting.
6:15 to 6:30 pm
“Low Input Native and Ornamental Plant Trials”
William Errickson, M.S. – Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent III – Monmouth County Rutgers, NJAES, RCE
Selecting native and ornamental plants that are well-adapted to the growing conditions in our region can greatly reduce pest and disease issues in the landscape, leading to a reduction in pesticide use, while enhancing the ecosystem services that are provided. This presentation will showcase heat and drought tolerance evaluations of field-grown native ornamental grasses, sun and shade tolerance of container-grown native azaleas, and recent introductions to the All America Selections ornamental plant program. Specific pest and disease challenges will be discussed in addition to managing abiotic summer stress while limiting the amount pesticides, fertilizers, and water required in the landscape.
6:30 to 6:45 pm
“Growing Ginger and Turmeric in in Moveable High Tunnels”
William Errickson, M.S. – Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent III – Monmouth County Rutgers, NJAES, RCE
Fresh baby ginger and turmeric are high-value specialty crops that can be produced in high tunnels in NJ. While ginger is generally a reliable low-input crop, it can be susceptible to soil-borne pathogens if specific cultural practices and crop rotations are not followed. This project evaluates ginger and turmeric production in moveable high tunnels in comparison to field grown ginger. Specific disease problems, controls, and cultural practices will be discussed.
6:45 to 7:00 pm
“Honey Bee, What’s in Your Pollen? Residuals and Pollen Diversity in Relation to Colony Health”
Chelsea Abegg – NJAES – ANR Soils and Plant Technician
Something is happening to the honey bees that New Jersey blueberry and cranberry crops depend on and now beekeepers are raising their service fees or refusing to bring their bees to New Jersey crops. With colony health declines during and shortly after NJ pollination services, we will discuss what factors could be influencing these colony declines and how Rutgers is working to the solve the problem.
Survey of cole crops and leafy green growers – novel weed control technology

Several university weed scientists from around the U.S. (Clemson, Cornell, UC Davis, Florida, Michigan State, Rutgers, Arkansas) have developed a survey as part of a Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) planning grant (SC-2021-07806 DEVELOPING A NATIONAL TEAM TO OPTIMIZE NON-HERBICIDE WEED MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES IN COLE AND LEAFY GREEN CROPS).
We would appreciate if you could share it with your constituents and cooperators (growers, crop consultants, extension personnel, industry partners) via newsletters, email blasts or other outreach efforts.
** WE NEED YOUR INPUT! **
Weed management in vegetables can be difficult due to a shrinking labor pool, which is becoming more costly to source, and a lack of effective herbicides. Research and extension efforts must focus on integrating novel weed technology into current crop production systems. Autonomous and semi-autonomous robotic weed control technology has been implemented by some vegetable growers, mainly in the Western US, but is not universally available to or adapted by many producers. This survey is designed to new tools of interest (e.g. precision sprayers or cultivators, electrical weeders, drones, etc.) for managing weeds in cole crop and leafy green systems as well as the environmental, physical and economic barriers to adoption. The results of this survey will benefit vegetable growers by enabling the research team to develop relevant and realistic research efforts informed by the needs of and constraints faced by our local stakeholders. Specifically, we will use survey data to develop a multi-regional USDA grant proposal to bring grower-specified technology to each our states for evaluation and demonstration under a variety of commercial conditions and provide growers with an economic assessment of their performance relative to current best management practices.
The survey is voluntary and anonymous. All replies will be de-identified. It should take less than 10-15 minutes to complete. The link is below.
https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1IfwcgkAXC9i6h0
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Thierry Besançon, Associate Professor and Extension Weed Science Specialist for Specialty Crops, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, thierry.besancon@rutgers.edu.

