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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NJ Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations

Rutgers Weather Forecasting - Meteorological Information important to commercial agriculture.

February 24, 2023

December Prices Received by Farmers Data

The ‘December Prices Received by Farmers’ section of the USDA NASS Agriculture Prices publication contains useful price-margins-costs of production forecasting information for producers.

The report highlights prices received by farmers for principal crops, livestock and livestock products; indexes of prices received by farmers; feed price ratios; indexes of prices paid by farmers; and parity prices. Historical data covering years 1910-60 reported in 1962 publication.

To access the December report go to: https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/c821gj76b/gx41nx339/2b88rs02s/agpr0123.txt

Future reports will be released on: Upcoming releases:Feb 28 2023 3:00 PM. Mar 31 2023 3:00 PM. Apr 28 2023 3:00 PM. May 31 2023 3:00 PM. Jun 30 2023 3:00 PM. Jul 28 2023 3:00 PM. Aug 31 2023 3:00 PM. Sep 29 2023 3:00 PM. Oct 31 2023 3:00 PM. Nov 30 2023 3:00 PM. Dec 29 2023 3:00 PM.



Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops 
February 23, 2023 
‘Fields of Devotion’ screening in New Brunswick, 2-4pm on March 3rd




Movie Poster




When climate change-induced diseases wipe out farmers’ fields, growers turn to scientists for help. Fields of Devotion, a 30-minute science-in-action film, follows the decade-long partnership between Rutgers plant biologists, the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES), and New Jersey small family farmers as they work together to develop resilient basil crops. A story of hard work, collaboration, and innovative solutions for a rapidly changing world, Fields of Devotion is told from the perspective of local farmers and plant biology graduate students who together help realize Rutgers’ land grant mission of community engagement and academic excellence.









This event is free but registration is requested to ensure seating.






Secure your seat for this exclusive free documentary screening, including a panel discussion and networking reception.




Please click here to RSVP today.






Event Time:  2:00pm – 4:00pm, Friday March 3, 2023






Event Location:


New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health


School of Environmental and Biological Sciences


Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey


61 Dudley Road


New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520


IFNH, George H. Cook Campus






Agenda For March 3, 2023 Film Screening Event


    

  • Fields of Devotion film screening
    • 

  • A discussion with the film’s featured farmers and scientists
    • 

  • Networking reception for farmers, scientists, and students
    • 



Who Should Attend? This two-hour event will provide valuable information to farmers, scientists, and students working in the agricultural field.






Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Vegetable Crops Tagged With: , , , , , , , 
February 22, 2023 
Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory adds Sulfur to Soil Fertility Analysis


Plant-available sulfur (sulfate) values have been added to Rutgers Soil Testing Laboratory fertility reports in the micronutrient reporting line. There are four interpretive categories: Low, Medium-low, Sufficient, and High. An explanatory paragraph follows near the end of the report to help interpret the reported value.


Photo illustrating sulfur deficiency in sweet corn.
Symptoms of sulfur deficiency include yellowing or light green coloring on youngest tissue, thin stems and petioles, slow growth, and delayed maturity. Photo Credit: G. Brust, University of Maryland.


As the interpretative statements within the reports explain, sulfur analysis/interpretation is very complicated (similar to nitrogen) due to the many factors influencing it. Also, there is not full consensus among soil fertility experts on a best extraction method and critical values. Still, the sulfur value on the revised reports will provide an extra degree of information for understanding the soil & plant health. As with all micronutrient interpretations on the reports, the relevant RCE publication is referenced for further information; in the case of sulfur, RCE bulletin E365.


 [Read more…]


Filed Under: Blueberry, Christmas Trees, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , , 
February 22, 2023 
Help PA stop Hipath Avian Influenza spread. Sanitize vehicle tires, boots.


With increasing numbers of positive flock detections in Lancaster County, PA, and circulation of the virus in wild birds, please remember to wash farm truck vehicle tires and implement footwear-vehicle-pedal sanitation steps when driving to/from the feed mills, seed stores, and farm machinery dealers located in this region of Pennsylvania.  Map current as of 2-22-2023.


Map of avian spread


The following link will take you to the control zone maps for current detections in Pennsylvania.


https://padeptag.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a9066a3d68a443a08043766cb84bf4ae


Additional information on protecting your backyard flock from exposure to Hipath avian influenza can be found in prior Plant Pest Advisory posts, and at the USDA website, ‘Defend the Flock’. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/defend-the-flock-program


Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops 
February 16, 2023 
National Pesticide Safety Education Month Focuses on Resources and Education to Support Safe Pesticide Handling and Use


Rutgers NJAES celebrates February as National Pesticide Safety Education Month with a selection of opportunities for pesticide applicators to renew their knowledge of pesticide safety and regulations, and earn CORE credits, throughout the month in programs hosted by Rutgers NJAES County Agents and commodity programming, as well as other entities. Enjoy the Weed Science Society […]
Filed Under: Christmas Trees, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops 
February 16, 2023 
Organic Grower Advisory 3/7 Registration Open


The Rutgers Organic Grower Advisory meeting will be held on March 7th. This meeting has served to increase communication between commercial farms using organic practices and Rutgers Cooperative Extension agricultural agents and specialists. This year the meeting will be held both in-person and online. We have a AV system that will allow for better sound quality for all participants. Please see details below, and use the Qualtrics link to register if you plan to attend.


March 7th 10:00 – 2:00

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County

1440 Parkside Avenue, Ewing NJ 08638

OR Online via Zoom


In-person attendees will have a pizza lunch option at a cost of $5.00 per person, payable at the door.


Registration deadline is March 3rd, register here!


Examples of hot topics for discussion from the 2021 Organic Grower Advisory meeting are:

• Weed control updates

• Organic animal feed

• Allium leaf miner

• Spotted lanternfly

• Organic sweet corn

• Disease control

• Organic certifications


Filed Under: Organic Production