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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September 3, 2024

The Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program launches a new website

The Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program is a multidisciplinary group of Rutgers faculty and staff committed to designing and conducting applied agrivoltaics research and outreach for stakeholders in New Jersey and throughout the region.

The Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program (RAP) was initiated over 3 years ago with the signing and passage of the Dual Use Solar Act by the New Jersey legislature. In 2023, Agrivoltaics research installations were established at three Rutgers-New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Stations (NJAES). One at the Clifford E. and Melda C. Snyder Research and Extension Farm in Pittstown, NJ; one at the Animal Farm on the Rutgers New Brunswick (SEBS) Campus, and one at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) near Bridgeton, NJ. Members of the Rutgers RAP Team in collaboration the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, NJ Department of Agriculture, and NJ-DEP are now in the process of implementing the Dual-Use Solar Energy Pilot Program.

The agrivoltaics research at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) near Bridgeton, New Jersey has been designed to study the effects of agrivoltaic (AV) systems on the production of specialty crops and soybeans. This year eggplant, pepper, fresh-market tomatoes, and soybeans are being grown under three three different treatments: single-axis tracking array with one row of panels, single-axis tracking array with two rows of panels, and no panels (conventional production as a control) to determine the effects caused by the presence of the panels on specialty crop and soybean plant growth and yield.

At the Clifford E. and Melda C. Snyder Research and Extension Farm in Pittstown, NJ the effects of a single-axis tracking array with one row of panels on hay production is being studied.

At the Rutgers SEBS Campus Animal Farm in New Brunswick, New Jersey, which hosts equine and livestock facilities, the AV research has been designed to study pasture forage production and animal grazing patterns in combination with vertical bifacial solar panels.

For more information on the Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program and more AV resources please visit the new website by clicking here. Stakeholders interested in keeping up the what’s going on can now subscribe to the new website and have information send directly to their email account. Just go to our contact page and follow the instructions to subscribe! 

The Rutgers Agrivoltaics Program in collaboration with the American Farmland Trust will be holding upcoming workshops for those stakeholders in New Jersey interested in learning more. Please click here for more information on these upcoming events.

Filed Under: Agrivoltaics, Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: ,
September 2, 2024

Beat the Heat: Companies for Farmers to Source Heat Stress Prevention Supplies

“Beat the Heat” Plant and Pest Advisory articles are provided by the Agricultural Agents on the Rutgers Farm Health and Safety Team: Kate Brown, Stephen Komar, Michelle Infante-Casella and William Bamka

Protecting yourself and other workers from heat stress may involve purchasing some supplies for your farm operation. Some suggestions for items that may be used to “Beat the Heat” include water coolers, shade structures, fans for air movement in packing facilities, head coverings, sunscreen, and other things to help make a person cooler and more comfortable when working during high temperatures and/or in intense sunlight. Also, some companies listed also offer weather measuring devices to monitor environmental conditions for considering heat stress management decisions.

Below are some companies who offer supplies that may be useful for agricultural operations.  

Grainger https://www.grainger.com/ Active NJ Farm Bureau members receive discounts on most products from Grainger. NJFB members also receive free standard parcel shipping on all standard Grainger products. You can visit any of 12 Grainger stores within NJ, or order online. Grainer offers many safety products for agricultural operations and other industries.

Gempler’s https://gemplers.com/
Gempler’s has an online tab on their website specifically for Heat Relief and Hydration supplies at https://gemplers.com/collections/heat-relief-hydration

Uline https://www.uline.com/
Uline offers personal protective equipment, water coolers, fans and other safety supplies.

Forestry Suppliers https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/
Forestry Suppliers sells personal protective equipment, wet bulb globe temperature meters and other supplies.

Tractor Supply https://www.tractorsupply.com/
Tractor Supply sells water coolers, hats, fans, and other supplies.

Home Depot https://www.homedepot.com/
Home Depot sells a variety of supplies like coolers, fans, and other supplies.

Lowes https://www.lowes.com/
Lowes sells a variety of supplies like coolers, fans, and other supplies.

Businesses listed and products from these companies are not endorsed by Rutgers Cooperative Extension or Rutgers University.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , ,
August 28, 2024

Vegetable IPM Update 8/28/24

Sweet Corn

Fall armyworm (FAW)  infestations continue in most scouted locations in central and northern NJ counties, although numbers are down.  Pockets of heavier pressure remain.  Re-infestations following treatment can and have occurred.    Because FAW moths are highly mobile, it is important to monitor fields at least weekly for signs of infestation.   Whorl, and even seedling stage plants are prime targets for egg laying.  Delays in treating whorl stage infestations can lead to stunted plants and poor ear size.

Newly hatched FAW larvae cause holes and scratches on leaves that are similar to ECB feeding, except that they tend to be more concentrated and always lead down into the whorl  (see photo at upper left).  As the larvae grow, the feeding becomes more destructive, with large ragged holes and obvious droppings deposited in the whorl (see photo at right).  Infected plant

 

 

We will provide updates on new FAW appearances and severity as reports come in.  FAW are resistant to synthetic pyrethroids.  Effective sprays should include IRAC grp. 5 (spinosyns) or IRAC grp. 28 (diamides).  The carbamate (IRAC grp. 1A) Lannate is also still effective.  Sufficient water should be used in the applications to allow the solution to reach larvae that are partially protected while feeding on the immature tassel (photo at lower left), and to penetrate the layer of droppings that may have formed above the caterpillars.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
August 28, 2024

IMPORTANT: EPA Announces Voluntary Cancellation for the Pesticide Dacthal- NO USE OF EXISTING STOCKS (Ed Notes on AMVAC buyback)

Contact: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov) WASHINGTON – Today, Aug. 28, following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s emergency suspension of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal), the agency is initiating a process to cancel all products containing DCPA. On Aug. 19, 2024, EPA received a letter from AMVAC Chemical Corporation (AMVAC) stating its intent to voluntarily cancel […]
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
August 27, 2024 , and

Produce Safety Classes this Fall

Hands-on Produce Safety Workshop: Wednesday, October 2nd from 10 am-2 pm EST. This hands-on produce safety class in Cream Ridge, NJ is for farm owners, farm employees, farm managers, and those thinking about starting a farm. The class is focused on the various actions that can be part of a strong produce safety plan whether you have one or are just getting started. These activities include building a DIY hand-washing station, assessing wildlife risks in the field and developing an action plan, interactive cleaning and sanitizing demonstrations, and more.

Online Food Safety Plan Writing Workshop:  Wednesday, October 16 from 6-8pm EDT. Work through the components of a food safety plan with our help from your home office! By the end of this class you will have a draft plan and a more robust food safety program for your farm. This is an interactive class so please be prepared to have your cameras on and microphones for discussions.

Who is this program for?

  • New and Beginning Growers
  • Growers who want to improve produce safety practices on their farms
  • Growers who want to work to develop a food safety culture on their farm
  • Growers who want to develop more robust food safety practices and worker training programs
  • Next-generation growers taking over a family farm
  • Anyone thinking about starting a farm
  • Anyone who may be getting an audit and does not have a food safety plan

For more details or to register for the classes go to https://onfarmfoodsafety.rutgers.edu/trainings/ or email Jenn Matthews at jmatthews@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Organic Production, vegetable, Vegetable Crops
August 27, 2024

EPA Publishes New Resources on Bilingual Pesticide Labeling (with editorial note)

[USEPA, 8/27/2024].  The Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5) requires the safety and health portions of pesticide product labels to be translated into Spanish. Spanish is the primary language for most American farmworkers. This effort advances environmental justice by making health and safety information on pesticide labels more accessible, fostering better understanding and […]
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops