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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October 18, 2021

Stay Safe on the Road During the Harvest

Autumn is harvest season on the farm, and farmers are rushing to get the harvest in before the weather becomes cold.  With harvest season getting underway, more heavy farm equipment is going to be out on the same roads as vehicle traffic, going from field to field, dramatically increasing the odds for accidents. During this season, it is important to be aware of the increased possibility of accidents and injury, especially when using farm machinery. One area to pay particular attention to is road safety while moving equipment. Here are some tips to help make sure the season is safe.

Truck drifting off the road

USDA Photo by Preston Keres

Make sure your farm vehicles and equipment are visible.

  • Verify that all lights and flashers on your farm vehicle are working properly.
  • Use warning flashers, flags, lights and slow-moving vehicle emblems on all equipment.
  • Apply reflective tape to machines to improve visibility for motorists at dusk.
  • Avoid traveling before dawn and after dusk if you can. If you need to drive during these times, ensure that your headlights are working. Headlights help you see and be seen.
  • Consider the use of an escort vehicle following with lights and flashers

Also, make sure you know the size of all tractors, vehicles and equipment. Be mindful of the height of your farm equipment and avoid power lines, low bridges and other overhead obstacles. Remember to communicate with fellow motorists on the road. Use turn signals and hand signals whenever possible to communicate with fellow drivers. Avoid distractions and make safety a priority on the road. Also, particularly important is to pay attention to when you are feeling tired and fatigued. Taking a break to rest is an important safety tool not to be overlooked.

This post was written by Bill Bamka, County Agricultural Agent with RCE-Burlington County. 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , ,
September 20, 2021

Secretary Fisher Message on Vaccine Survey

A message from Secretary Douglas Fisher:

We are reaching out regarding COVID-19 vaccination support for you and your farmworkers. We are working to ensure that all farmworkers are protected against COVID-19 as we head into the fall season – to that end, if any of your workers are not yet vaccinated for COVID-19 and are interested in receiving a vaccine, please fill out this survey. We will be happy to connect you with the appropriate resources to keep your workforce healthy.

Additionally, if your entire workforce has been vaccinated, we would still appreciate if you could please fill out the survey  Any information you provide will be confidential and used solely for supporting COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Thank you for your support in keeping our farm communities safe and healthy!

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
September 20, 2021

Cleaning and Sanitizing Grading Equipment Grower Meeting

Join us on October 7th from 4-6pm at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 121 Northville Rd., Bridgeton, NJ 08302) for a hands-on grower meeting that will cover: how to assess washing and packing equipment; differences of sanitization products; and how to monitor pH and sanitizer concentrations.  We will be demonstrating a new packing line obtained through a grant from NJDA and the Food and Drug Administration.

The program is free, but please register by October 4th at http://rutgersonfarmfoodsafety.eventbrite.com.  Ten people must register to hold this event.  As per Rutgers policy, masks will be required during the entire meeting since it is inside.  If you do not have a mask, one will be provided, and hand sanitizers will be available.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
September 16, 2021

Help Evaluate New Farm Safety “Tailgate Trainings”

Injury Prevention

Preview of the “Ground Level Slips, Trips and Falls” Tailgate Training sheet

The Northeast Ag Safety and Health Coalition is looking for farmers willing to field-test and evaluate their new set of “Tailgate Trainings” – short, simple, training sessions that a farm owner or manager can use with a small group of workers. The trainings are designed to be done with small groups, anywhere, and promote retention of material. Topics of the current “tailgate” training sheets include 1) Ground Level Slips, Trips, and Falls, 2) Cattle Handling, and 3) Tractor Side-Overturn.

If you are willing to participate, the Coalition requests that farmers or managers conduct one training session with workers using the provided “tailgate” training sheet. Once the training session is complete, you are asked to fill out a very brief (5 question) evaluation form and mail it back to the Coalition. All material and postage paid/self-addressed return envelopes will be provided (to return the evaluation form).

If you are interested, please email Kate Brown kbrown@njaes.rutgers.edu with the following information by October 1, 2021.

  • Farm Name
  • Mailing Address
  • Requested training sheet(s) [see topics 1, 2, and 3 above]

Your time and participation in this project would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With:
September 15, 2021

Fruit IPM for 9/15/21

Blueberries:

Putnam Scale: As of the past week, scale crawlers have tailed off. For all practical purposes, treatments for the second generation are done.

Sharpnosed Leafhopper (SNLH): We are calling the second generation trap peak occurring over the last week to 10 days. Therefore it is time to treat this generation if you have not already done so. Use any of the sucking insect materials listed in the 2021 Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations For New Jersey. Suggested materials include Diazinon, Imidan and any neonicotinoid such as Assail, Actara and Admire. Pyrethroids are also labeled, but are slightly less effective.

Late Season Scale Crawlers and Sharpnosed Leafhopper Adults per Trap
  Week Ending Scale SNLH AC SNLH (BC)
Avg 8/21 — 1.3 —
High 8/21 — 4.0 —
Avg 8/28 70.16 0.22 0.28
High 8/28 181 3.0 2.0
Avg 9/4 18.42 3 1.5
High 9/4 64 18.0 3.0
Avg 9/11 4.14 2.8 1.5
High 9/11 12.0 14.0 2.0

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Fruit, Tree Fruit, Wine Grape
September 6, 2021

Cranberry Update: EPA Bans Use of Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) On Food Crops

After years of debate, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on August 18, 2021 that this year will be the last that the insecticide chlorpyrifos (the active ingredient in Lorsban) will be allowed for use on food crops, including cranberries. This means that use of chlorpyrifos will no longer be allowed on cranberries in 2022 and thereafter. For more information, please see the press release here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-takes-action-address-risk-chlorpyrifos-and-protect-childrens-health.

In New Jersey, cranberry growers have mainly used chlorpyrifos early in the season to manage blunt-nosed leafhoppers as well as other insect pests such as Sparganothis fruitworm, blackheaded fireworm, and spotted fireworm. Growers can find alternative insecticide options for managing these pests in the Commercial Cranberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=E308.

Filed Under: Cranberry, Fruit