In the spring of 2017, vegetable and field crop entomologists of the Northeast States were surveyed for a current snapshot of what they considered to be ‘hot-topic’, or, critical insect (and slug) pests in their state or region. The responding states included New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. The results of the survey, including both native and invasive pests, are listed in the accompanying table. [Read more…]
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.
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March 15, 2018 Joe Ingerson-Mahar
Survey of the Current, Critical or ‘Hot Topic’ Insect Pests of the Northeast
February 26, 2018 Rick VanVranken
US Food & Drug Administration Announces Microbiological Surveillance Sampling for Fresh Herbs (Cilantro, Basil & Parsley) to Continue Through 2018
The US FDA has announced an ongoing surveillance program started in October 2017 will continue through 2018 until they collect at least 1600 samples each of fresh cilantro, parsley and basil. FDA inspectors will be visiting farm packinghouses, wholesale packers, domestic and import warehouses and shippers, as well as retail purveyors, From their press release,
From 1996 to 2015, the FDA reported nine [food born illness] outbreaks linked to basil, parsley, and cilantro, which resulted in 2,699 illnesses and 84 hospitalizations. Four of the outbreaks were linked to basil, three to cilantro, and two to parsley.
February 26, 2018 Rick VanVranken
New Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety Website!
I’m forwarding this from Meredith Melendez and Wes Kline. If you thought you were subscribed to receive food safety updates in the past but have been wondering why you haven’t been receiving any news, please go to your subscription page and change from ‘Food Safety’ to ‘Commercial Agriculture Updates’. Long story short, but the food safety category was combined into the commercial ag updates, and for some reason, many subscriptions were not transferred to the new category.
Visit the new Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety website for information on Good Agricultural Practices, the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, and USDA Third Party Audits. Information can also be found on upcoming on-farm food safety workshops, publications and resources to help you understand and implement on-farm food safety practices.
February 26, 2018 Rick VanVranken
NJ DEP Annual Ag Water Use Reports Due 2/28
If you downloaded the RCE irrigation pump log sheet posted here last fall, and you haven’t sent in your water use report yet, you have until Wed to calculate your monthly water use and submit it to NJ DEP. Keeping a hard copy of the log sheet by each well makes a simple way to record actual water use, but tallying the monthly and annual totals will take one more step. [Read more…]
February 22, 2018 Rick VanVranken
Still Time to Register for North Jersey Commercial Vegetable and/or Tree Fruit Meetings
Morris County Agent Peter Nitzsche and Hunterdon County Agent Megan Muehlbauer indicate there is still limited time to register for two upcoming educational events they are hosting at the Hunterdon County Complex in Flemington:
What: North Jersey Commercial Vegetable Grower Meeting
When: February 27, 2018
Where: Hunterdon County Complex, Flemington, NJ
For Program & Registration Details go to https://events.rutgers.edu/pdfs/North_Jersey_Commercial_Vegetable_Growers_Meeting_2018.pdf
What: North Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Meeting
When: March 6, 2018
Where: Hunterdon County Complex, Flemington, NJ
For Program & Registration Details go to https://events.rutgers.edu/pdfs/NorthJerseyFruitMeeting_Program_2018.pdf
NJ & PA PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED FOR THESE PROGRAMS
February 20, 2018 Andy Wyenandt
Fungicide resistance management guidelines for cucurbit powdery and downy mildew control in 2018
Extension specialists in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions have put together new guidelines for cucurbit powdery and downy mildew control. These new guidelines list all recommended fungicides and their efficacy ratings for controlling both diseases based on recent fungicide efficacy trials. Also included in the new FRAC table are notes on fungicides where resistance has been detected in the region. The new FRAC table can be downloaded for FREE on American Phytopathology Society’s Plant Health Progress website.
