Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition

Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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Rutgers Turf Blog - Articles on turfgrass diseases and cultural practices for the commercial turfgrass industry. Subscription available via RSS.

 

Rutgers Weather Forecasting - Meteorological Information important to commercial agriculture.

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.


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…]

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

Mild winter, what does it mean for overseeding of turf or dormant seeding?

Typically, turf management isn’t on top of the to-do list in mid-February. But winter in New Jersey isn’t typical typical this year. The statewide average temperature in January 2023 was 41.0°, which was 9.3° above the 1991–2020 normal and ties with 1932 as the mildest January since records commenced in 1895. For more details on […]

Plants sprouting through dead leaves
  

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 […]

Central Jersey Turf and Ornamental Institute, February 22

Central Jersey Turf and Ornamental Institute

February 22, 2023: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm

Battleground Country Club

1 Covenhoven Rd, Manalapan, NJ 07726

 

Approved NJDEP Pesticide Credits*

Core – 2 units
1A – 1 units
2 – 4 units
3A – 6 units
3B – 3 units
6B – 1 unit
8C – 9 units
10 – 8 units
PP2 – 9 units

ProFACT NJ Certified Fertilizer Applicator – 3 credits

Registration Fee: $120 (includes continental breakfast and lunch)

To register online, visit: go.rutgers.edu/CJTOI

Full Brochure and Registration form can be downloaded here: CJTOI Brochure 2023

For registration questions, call 732-398-5262

Note: This is an in-person event.

 

Agenda

8:00 AM – Continental Breakfast and Sign-in

8:45 – 9:45 AM
Pesticide Safety, Regulations and IPM Update
George Hamilton Ph.D.
Specialist in Pest Management
Rutgers, NJAES

9:45 – 10:30 AM
Integrated Approaches to Controlling Tree Root Diseases
Timothy Waller
Agriculture & Natural Resources County Agent III
Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County
Rutgers, NJAES

10:30 – 11:30 AM
Fertilization for Low Maintenance Turfgrass Varieties and Updates on Recommendations
James Murphy Ph.D.
Specialist in Turfgrass Management
Rutgers, NJAES

11:30 – 12:15 AM
Right Plants in the Right Place as part of an IPM Program
William Errickson
Agriculture & Natural Resources County Agent III
Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County
Rutgers, NJAES

12:15 – 1:15 PM Lunch (Short Presentations from Associations and Rutgers Programs – TBD)

1:15 – 2:00 PM
Key Insect Pests on Oak (Quercus) – Identification, Life Cycles and Control Strategies
Steve Rettke
Program Associate
Rutgers Greenhouse and Nursery Program
Rutgers, NJAES

2:00 – 2:45 PM
Integrated Management Programs for Problematic Weeds in Turfgrass
Matthew Elmore Ph.D.
Specialist in Weed Science
Rutgers, NJAES

2:45 – 3:30 PM
New and Emerging Problems in the Urban Forest
Richard Buckley
Director – Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory and Nematode Detection Service
Rutgers, NJAES

3:30 PM Pesticide Credits and Adjourn