Vegetable Crops Edition

Seasonal updates and alerts on insects, diseases, and weeds impacting vegetable crops. New Jersey Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations updates between annual publication issues are included.
 
Subscriptions are available via EMAIL and RSS.
 
Quick Links:

NJ Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations

Rutgers Weather Forecasting - Meteorological Information important to commercial agriculture.

April 15, 2026

April 28th Evening Webinar: Using Drones in Agriculture

Using Drones in Agriculture
Free Webinar
Date: April 28, 2026
Time: 7:00-8:30 PM

A 3-year USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Grant was awarded to a team of Agricultural Agents at Rutgers to study the use of drones in agriculture. Please join this team on Tuesday, April 28th at 7:00PM to learn about their work and the use of drones for agriculture. This program will highlight research projects, and real-world uses of drones in agricultural operations and will foster discussion and networking for anyone interested in using drones in their agricultural operation.

7:00 PM Drone Technology: A Tool for Crop Production and Management – Stephen Komar, ANR Agent /Rutgers SARE Coordinator
7:25 PM Getting Started with Drones: Regulatory Compliance and Other Practical Considerations – Adam Kyle, Warren Co. Com. College, Teaching Administrator, Precision Agriculture
7:50 PM Trusting the Data: Ground Truthing for Monitoring with Drones – Michelle Infante-Casella, ANR Agent/Rutgers SARE Co-Coordinator
8:15 PM Questions

To Join, please click the Zoom link below.
https://rutgers.zoom.us/j/95326725115?pwd=6JefhuSGbbBqjWdmDbKLXZ7exEr3la.1

This event is sponsored by a grant awarded by the USDA, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.

For questions contact Stephen Komar, Agricultural Agent and NJ SARE Coordinator via email at komar@njaes.rutgers.edu

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , ,
April 12, 2026

Recent Increase in Tomato Prices

Tomato prices in the United States have risen notably in recent months, driven by a combination of supply constraints, trade policy changes, and rising costs throughout the supply chain. Tomato prices at the consumer level nationwide, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), increased 18% from February to March and were 24% higher than a year earlier. Consistent with this trend, wholesale market data from terminal markets in New York and Philadelphia indicate strong price increases.

Source: USDA Market News; figure created by the author.

Note: Weekly tomato prices (non-organic) at the New York and Philadelphia Terminal Market by origin and year. Prices in 2026 are highlighted in red, while earlier years (2022–2025) are shown for comparison. Line types distinguish between origins.

 

Why Are Tomato Prices Increasing?

One of the primary drivers of higher prices is tight supply conditions. Weather disruptions in major producing regions such as Mexico and Florida have reduced available volumes, creating shortages across the supply chain.

Trade policy has also played a significant role. The imposition of tariffs on Mexican tomatoes, which account for roughly 70% of U.S. fresh tomato consumption, has increased import costs and contributed directly to higher market prices.

In addition, broader economic factors are amplifying price pressures. Rising fuel and transportation costs have increased the cost of moving perishable goods such as tomatoes, while higher input costs (e.g., energy and fertilizer) are raising production expenses, particularly for greenhouse production.

 

Filed Under: Fruit, Vegetable Crops Tagged With:
April 8, 2026 and

North Jersey Tree Fruit and Vegetable Twilight Meeting

North Jersey Tree Fruit and Vegetable Twilight Meeting 

Supported by

New Jersey Vegetable Growers Association

 

April 30, 202

4:30 PM-7:30 PM

Ort Farms

25 Bartley Rd.

Long Valley, NJ 07853

 

4:15 PM – Registration and Tour of Farmers Market

4:30 PM – Wagon Tour of the Farm

5:00 PM – Light Dinner (Sponsored by NJ Vegetable Growers Association)

5:30 PM – Proper Pesticide Handling, Personal Protective Equipment and Record Keeping

Janine Spies PhD, State Fruit IPM Program Leader, Rutgers NJAES

6:00 PM – Tree Fruit Insect and Disease Update

Kaitlin Quinn, North Jersey Tree Fruit IPM Program Associate, Rutgers NJAES    

6:30 PM – Key Management Decisions to Minimize Disease, and Pest Pressure while Enhancing Yield in Strawberry Production

Peter Nitzsche, Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent I, Rutgers NJAES

7:00 PM – Managing Thrips in Vegetable Crops

Amanda Quadrel, North Jersey Vegetable IPM Senior Program Coordinator, Rutgers NJAES

The following pesticide recertification credits will be awarded 

1 Unit CORE    3 Units 1A    3 Units 10    3 Units PP2

Please RSVP for the meeting by April 27 with a call to:

Kim Crommelin at 908.788.1338 or kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Fruit, pesticide credits, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, vegetable, Vegetable Crops
April 7, 2026 and

Allium Leafminer Update 4/7/2026

Greetings from the Veg IPM team!

We detected the first Allium Leafminer oviposition scars on garlic in Burlington County, NJ today (see photos below). Adults are likely active throughout the state at this time. Be on the lookout for oviposition scars on both crop alliums and wild alliums such as wild onion/garlic and ramps. You can also use yellow sticky cards to monitor for adult presence in the field.

Allium Leafminer oviposition scars. Notice the neat line of white dots near the tips of the leaves. Photos by Maria Cramer.

Allium Leafminer (Phytomyza gymnostoma) is a small grey-bodied fly with a yellow head (A). In warm, still weather, you may see adult flies settling on foliage. The females lay eggs in neat rows, leaving behind a line of white dots on the leaves (B). As the larvae hatch and begin to feed, they will tunnel downwards, causing damage to leaves and bulbs. ALM have two generations per year; the first in early spring, and the second occurring in the fall. Crops such as chives, scallions, garlic, onions and leeks are attacked by ALM, but leeks and scallions seem to be the most affected. 

An allium leafminer adult (A) and oviposition scars (B). Photos by Maria Cramer a7l;/nd Amanda Quadrel

If you are concerned about crop injury due to ALM, floating row covers, kept on until the first flight ends (around the end of May) can restrict ALM’s access to vulnerable plants. Reflective mulches may also provide some additional crop protection. Adults and larvae can be targeted through well-timed insecticide sprays. Materials labeled for ALM control include spinosyns (IRAC 5- Radiant or Entrust (OMRI approved)), pyrethroids (IRAC 3A- Mustang Maxx, Proaxis, and Warrior II), neonicotinoids (IRAC 4A- Scorpion, Venom), the insect growth regulator Trigard (IRAC 17), and diamide products (IRAC 28- Exirel, Minecto Pro). The newly registered product Vertento (IRAC 30) may also be used for ALM control. However, growers who have trouble managing onion thrips may want to save group 28 and 30 products for thrips sprays, as both groups have season use limits. The first spray application of a material should be completed 2- 3 weeks after initial detection of ALM (either oviposition scars or the fly itself). Subsequent sprays should be completed in 1–2-week intervals. Two or three sprays should provide adequate control. As always, be sure to follow label rates and application instructions for any pesticide that you plan to use.

For more pictures and detailed information on the biology and management of ALM, Cornell has an excellent fact sheet that can be found here: https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/fact-sheets/allium-leafminer. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

~Amanda Quadrel and Maria Cramer, Senior Program Coordinators- Vegetable IPM

Questions or concerns? Get in touch with us by filling out the form below:

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Filed Under: Organic Production, vegetable, Vegetable Crops
March 30, 2026

Salem County Agronomy Twilight Meeting-1 (May 1, 2026)

SALEM COUNTY AGRONOMY TWILIGHT MEETING-1

Date & Time: May 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
(Program starts at 5:00 PM; please arrive a few minutes early)

Location: Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office, 51 Cheney Rd., Woodstown, NJ 08098

Registration:
Call: 856-769-0090
Email: molly.english@salemcountynj.gov

Credits Applied For:

  • CORE: Basic Safety and Handling
  • 1A: Agricultural Plant
  • 10: Demonstration / Research
  • PP2: Private Applicator
  • 11: Animal (Livestock) Pest Control

Topics & Speakers:

  • The 3R’s of Pesticide Use: Resistance, Rotation, and Regulation
    Speaker: Janine Spies, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
  • The Endangered Species Act Changes to Pesticide Labels
    Speaker: William J. Bamka, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
  • Nitrogen from Air to Soil using Sunlight
    Speaker: Joseph R. Heckman, Rutgers University
  • Agronomist’s Field Guide to Drought Resilience
    Speaker: Ramandeep Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Nursery, pesticide credits, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, vegetable, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape
March 23, 2026

Visit to Clover Valley Farm – April 11

Field trip to Clover Valley Farm

Saturday, April 11, 10am

Register at: https://go.rutgers.edu/stf3j6x6

Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , ,