Did you know that according to the 2019 State Agriculture Overview for NJ, 3,900 acres of peaches yielded 5/tons per acre at a value of over $25.6 million dollars? Or that 3,500 acres of peppers were harvested in 2019, with a value of $45.8 million dollars? Or that 9,300 acres of harvested blueberries were valued at $85.3 million dollars in 2019? And in 2018, NJ ranked 4th nationwide in cranberry and peach production, and third in bell peppers?
Landscape, Ornamentals, Nursery, and Turf Edition
Seasonal updates on ornamental, nursery, and turf pests.
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July 17, 2020 Tim Waller
Participants Wanted for a Redheaded Flea Beetle Survey
The Southern Nursery Flea Beetle Working-Group has put out a survey under the auspices of University of Georgia. The Universities of Maryland and Delaware recently joined forces with that working group with the goal of gathering information aimed at suppressing this continually destructive pest. If you have seen redheaded flea beetle in your containerized nursery stock please take this short survey. Ultimately the goal is to gather as much information as possible about this pest in an effort to come up with better recommendations for all of us in the industry.
Please contact Tim Waller (twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu) with any questions, severely damaged plant varieties, or personal observations pertaining to pest control and biology.
Thank you
July 17, 2020 Rick VanVranken
NJ Ag & Health Urge Use of Free COVID-19 Testing For Farm Workers
Earlier this week, NJ Secretary of Ag Douglas Fisher released this attached letter, co-signed by Dept of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, urging all growers with farm labor to take advantage of opportunities to help protect your employees from COVID-19.
As the letter states,
“One program that is being implemented FREE OF CHARGE for all farms is a COVID-19 testing and education program through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and local health departments. Along with free testing, the program provides education and other related support services. [Read more…]
July 15, 2020 Pat Hastings
Worker Protection Standard: Videos for Annual Training of Workers and Handlers
Use Rutgers NJAES Worker Protection website loaded with “Quick-Connect” With EPA’s short term WPS training exemptions for COVID-19, provide your workers and handlers access to videos they can watch without being disturbed as an alternative to large group training, These videos can be viewed on a computer or even a cell phone. Make sure that […]
July 15, 2020 Pat Hastings
EPA Releases Guidance on Pesticide Safety Training Requirements During COVID-19
Agricultural workers and pesticide handlers directly support the nation’s agricultural production and food supply and EPA is committed to ensuring they are protected from workplace hazards. EPA has released guidance regarding the annual pesticide safety training requirements outlined in the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) that offers flexibility during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The […]
July 14, 2020 Jim Murphy
Tropical Storm Brings Rain But What About Gray Leaf Spot?
The passing of tropical storm, Fay brought some needed precipitation to the region, albeit too much at once in many places. Relatively dry soils (assumes not being over-irrigated) and the long, warm days of summer should allow turfs to dry out reasonably fast. But what about gray leaf spot? Spores of the pathogen are thought […]
