May 19, 2020

NJMVC Further Extends Driver License, Registration, and Inspection Expiration Dates Due to COVID-19

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Chief Administrator Sue Fulton, on Monday, May 18th, announced additional extensions to driver license, registration, and inspection expiration dates in the continuing efforts to mitigate COVID-19 and safeguard public health.

Effective immediately, the following documents, if expiring between March 13 and May 31, have been extended to July 31. Documents expiring June 30 are extended two months to August 31, and those expiring July 31 are extended to September 30.

• All Standard driver licenses (including permits) and standard non-driver IDs
• Privately owned and commercial vehicle registrations (including Farmer and Farm Use registrations)
• Vehicle inspections
• Purple Heart/Disabled Veteran placards
• Temporary tags

“Get it done online now, if you’re able,” Fulton suggests. “We do anticipate that volumes will spike once we reopen and when we reach the end of these extensions. Our job is to serve customers in the most efficient way possible and one way we can do that is by steering people to our expanded list of online services.”

On March 13, the NJMVC initially announced two-month extensions for licenses, registrations, and inspection stickers expiring in March, April, and May, timelines that have now been pushed back.

The NJMVC encourages customers to utilize online services, which have been expanded during the COVID-19 crisis. In most cases, customers can renew a license, replace a lost license, change an address, renew a registration, and complete other transactions through the NJMVC’s Online Services portal.

Customers also should check NJMVC.gov for the latest information and updates.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , ,
May 12, 2020

Labor Will Be Hot Topic For 7:00PM Wednesday Night Webinar – “Ask the Ag Agent”

This week, the webinar will be concentrated on the topic of farm labor. Since updates are coming to the industry and we have learned of some programs for migrant workers please join us for discussion. Please feel free to bring up other topics.

Ask the Ag Agent – 7:00PM Weekly – Every Wednesday – Farmer Video Conference/Call-In ForumAsk the Ag agent

“Ask the Ag Agent” weekly 1-hour sessions for farmers will be hosted again on Wednesday May 13th and continue each Wednesday until May 27th. The online conferencing/call in events will begin at 7:00PM with an open forum to discuss ag-related questions about production, marketing, regulations and any other topics farmers wish to discuss. All are welcome. Events are hosted by William Bamka, Stephen Komar, Meredith Melendez and Michelle Infante-Casella – Agricultural Agents.

To access via WebEx on a computer go to https://go.rutgers.edu/rc9n3kxt

Or, Join by phone
+1-650-429-3300 USA Toll
Access code: 799 743 872

For additional Rutgers Cooperative Extension educational programs check out https://events.rutgers.edu/njaes/

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape
May 8, 2020

Using Growing Degree-day calculators, nursery pest and pathogen updates, important resource links

Announcements:

NJ Department of Agriculture Issues Burn Permit for Frost Protection –May 7 thru May 11

New Jersey Department of Agriculture has issued a notice concerning open burning due to colder spring overnight temperatures presently forecasted for areas of New Jersey from Thursday, May 7 through Monday, May 11, 2020, which could adversely affect fruit, vegetable, and floriculture crops in bloom or near bloom around the state. For more information: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/nj-department-of-agriculture-issues-burn-permit-for-frost-protection-thru-may-11/

Sourcing PPE for your workers:

If you need PPE for you and your workers, please do not wait to obtain more supplies! When our region re-opens to the masses there will be another wave of high-demand for masks and PPE. https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/sourcing-personal-protective-equipment-ppe-for-your-farm-employees/

Recent financial Plant and Pest Advisory Posts:

US Small Business Admin Opens Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Programs to Agriculture: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/us-small-business-admin-opens-economic-injury-disaster-loan-eidl-programs-to-agriculture/

SBA resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/sba-resumed-accepting-paycheck-protection-program-applications/

 

Utilizing Growing Degree-day calculators and resources:

(As of 5/7/20 using NEWA, Upper Deerfield = 213.5GDD50 ; Howell = 153.5 GDD50 ; Pequest = 88.0 GDD50) (GDD50 = Growing Degree-Day with min. temp. set to 50F)

Using Growing Degree Day models to plan pest management timing is a proven method for understanding when a pest or pathogen will rear its ugly head. These models utilize temperature min. and max. throughout the day to generate “growing degree day” units that accumulate throughout the year (typically starting on Jan. 1st, with a minimum temperature set to 50F (base-50)). Correlations between degree-day accumulation and vulnerable life stage events, such as egg hatch or adult emergence, allow pest management to be conducted, or scouted for, more efficiently. These models can track or predict insect, mite, weed, and plant pathogen lifecycles as well as those of beneficial insects, allowing us to protect that arm of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Within these models the user can set multiple parameters, allowing hyper-localized information for most of the country. Simple models are also available. The temperature min/max, can be manipulated for specific pests, however a minimum temperature of 50F (aka base-50) is most often cited in growing degree-day pest lists. These models are general in nature, as biology occurs over some span of time or set of conditions, and should therefor be ground-truthed at each location if at all possible. Many other types of pest or disease predictive models are available within the resources listed below, and the agents can help you understand what information you need for those calculations.

Note: The nursery agents are working to develop a local, Rutgers centralized, growing degree-day calculator that will provide information on key pests as well as nursery and greenhouse BMPs thereof. Armed with this information, we will be generating charts and other visual aids that target multiple pests per application, thus increasing labor efficiency.

Degree Day Calculators (select a local weather station within the website):

NEWA (Cornell): http://newa.cornell.edu/index.php?page=growing-degree-days

–        Very easy to use

Integrated Plant Protection Center (Oregon State): http://uspest.org/

–        More complicated but has many different modeling options

–        ***Boxwood blight specific risk model: https://uspest.org/risk/boxwood_app  , also available as an iOS or Android app ***

Typically the procedure is as follows: select a close by weather station, select degree-day calculator, select the min. temperature (50F or “base-50”), select max. temperature (arbitrarily high- 110F), click graph or calculate or get report, then locate the date(s) of interest on the computed table. The accumulated growing degree-days of those dates can then be compared to the target GDD50 on the pest lists below. *Tim Waller will help you set up a local degree-day calculation, or understand how to use this information if needed (twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu)

Pest lists with GDD50 targets:

Ohio State: http://cues.cfans.umn.edu/old/Web/049DegreeDays.pdf

University of California: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/MODELS/index.html

University of Maryland: https://extension.umd.edu/node/11155

University of New Hampshire: http://ccetompkins.org/resources/using-growing-degree-days-for-insect-management

*Some discrepancies between degree-day targets; go with what you have observed locally*

 

Pests and diseases to be on the lookout for:

(Upper Deerfield = 213.5GDD50 ; Howell = 153.5 GDD50 ; Pequest = 88.0 GDD50)

Pests: Looking towards our southern neighbor states, several pests are either currently present or will become evident in the near future including: Boxwood leafminer, Allium Leaf miner, Lilac borer, Ambrosia beetles (multiple species), Red-headed flea beetle, Hemlock woolly adelgid, Pine Bark adelgid, Roseslug sawflies, Spruce spider mites, Wooly elm aphids, Spirea aphid, Andromeda lace bug, Azalea lace bug, and Pine needle scale. The warm weather jump-started pest development only to be slowed by the current cool days and cooler nights, providing more wiggle room for protective or systemic pesticide applications. Utilize growing degree-day (GDD50) models to apply protectant applications as well as systemic soil drenches when applicable or allowable for pollinator protection.

Red-headed flea beetle larva will be hatching between 250-480 GDD50, with adults emerging between 500-1000 GDD50. A second generation of larva will then be active between 1,570 to 1860 GDD50, emerging later 1,878 to 2,318 GDD50. Brian Kunkel, entomologist at the University of Delaware, has determined that up to three, overlapping, generations can be present in container grown ornamentals. Ambrosia beetles, particularly Xylosandrus crassiusculus (granulate ambrosia beetle), and Xylosandrus germanus (black stem borer), should begin flights soon, or have already done so to some degree. These small beetles begin flight when temperatures hover around 60-70F and are attracted to alcohol produced by woody ornamentals in the spring. The cooler nighttime temperatures and daily averages have kept much of this activity low but scouting should be vigilant during this time. Another invasive pest, the Box tree moth, has been identified approaching the border of US and Canada. This pest has prompted APHIS importation amendments for Boxwood, Euonymus, and Illex. (https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAPHIS/bulletins/27f467d)

Diseases: The current temperatures coupled with long wetness-periods, provide optimal pathogen conditions for diseases such as Botrytis, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Black spot on roses, multiple Needle cast diseases of conifers, root rots, and bacterial diseases. Once temperatures begin to increase again, pathogen numbers could explode. Efforts towards protectant applications are critical, especially in situations where plants are being held longer than previously anticipated due to COVID-19 related disruptions. Any steps geared towards increasing airflow, reducing wet-feet, and limiting mechanical injury during this wet and cool period will benefit disease management approaches. Please consult your agents for specific disease control recommendations.

Beach Leaf Disease, caused by an exotic nematode, is affecting beeches in the Great Lakes region  and into Pennsylvania. Little is known about the disease, other than the nematodes distort beech leaves by forming sunken lesions, which eventually turn the leaf yellow and drop off. Please contact your local agent if you suspect this disease to be anywhere in New Jersey (forest, farm, etc.). https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/forest/docs/Pest_Alert-Beech_Leaf_Disease.pdf .USDA-ARS (more info on the nematode): https://tellus.ars.usda.gov/stories/articles/what-s-killing-beech-trees/

Please advise what pests/pathogens you are seeing in the field so we can be better informed on their management!

 

Online events and resources:

Ask the Agent (every Wednesday @ 7:00pm): https://go.rutgers.edu/t7wjkit1

A new online forum has been created where anyone can log-on and speak with Rutgers Cooperative Extension agents (multiple agents from multiple counties).

NJAES YouTube webpage: https://www.youtube.com/user/RutgersNJAES/

Our Rutgers Nursery Working group will be uploading many more instructional videos to the NJAES YouTube page in the near future. This webpage has numerous pest/pathogen/ID educational videos, especially from the Plant Diagnostics Lab here at Rutgers.

Tim Waller has posted an introduction video to the newly created “Commercial Nursery and Greenhouse Production” playlist https://youtu.be/RQbXmc5Uug8.

(Please email twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu or william.errickson@njaes.rutgers.edu with ideas for videos!)

 2020 Nursery Industry Survey: https://forms.gle/dUjLxaiu6qDQYYsRA

The new nursery agents have prepared a preliminary survey aimed at understanding the needs of our growers and clientele, i.e. you. Please take a moment to complete the survey, as this type of information really helps the agents secure grant funding to deal with the problems you actually have. Thank you! Please share with other growers that may not have access.

RU Sustainable Nursery Production website: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/nursery/

March meeting PDF: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/nursery/documents/2020%20SJ%20Nursery%20Meeting%20Proceedings.pdf

 

Thank you.

Contact information for the new nursery agents:

 Timothy J. Waller

County Agent
Specialty areas: Commercial nursery production, plant health, and phytopathology   

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County
291 Morton Ave. Millville, NJ 08332
856-451-2800
twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

Bill Errickson

County Agent
Specialty areas: Nursery and turfgrass production, agricultural innovation, and soil fertility
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth Count
4000 Kozloski Rd., P.O. Box 5033. Freehold, NJ 07728
732-431-7260, ext. 7273
william.errickson@njaes.rutgers.edu

Filed Under: Disease Forecasting, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf
May 8, 2020

Spread the Word: “Killer” Hornet NOT Found in the Northeastern U.S.

By, Michelle Infante-Casella, Agricultural Agent/Professor, RCE of Gloucester Co. and William Bamka, Agricultural Agent/Associate Professor, RCE of Burlington Co.Asian Giant Hornet

Although media reports have triggered panic over the Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), there are no reports this pest is present anywhere else in North America besides the Pacific Northwest. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Agriculture and Natural Resource personnel have received inquiries to identify hornets found by the public. In New Jersey, Rutgers Cooperative Extension county offices have not identified any submitted specimens to be the Asian Giant Hornet. The Asian giant hornet has only had confirmed sightings in Washington State and British Columbia, Canada.

“The species has not yet been detected this spring in Washington State or the British Columbia or anywhere else on the West Coast”, said Professor Dina M. Fonseca, director of the Center for Vector Biology in the Department Entomology in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers–New Brunswick. “We do not know how the species arrived in the United States but it is important to not overreact.”

Washington State University’s information on the Asian giant hornet confirmed the first U.S. sighting of this hornet in the wild. The first two specimens were found in Nanaimo and White Rock, British Columbia, Canada in fall of 2019.
The hornets were reported to be attacking colonies of honeybees in Washington State. The Asian Giant Hornet is known to aggressively attack honeybees and can destroy entire honeybee colonies. Washington State University recently published an extensive fact sheet with identification and guidance for the public. According to the WSU Pest Alert, Asian Giant Hornets are not generally aggressive towards people, but may sting when threatened.

“The Asian giant hornet is unlikely to be present in New Jersey,” Fonseca said. “while citizens in the Pacific Northwest can help detect any emerging hornets this spring, which is critical for its control, the indiscriminate killing of bees, wasps or other hornet lookalikes, would be detrimental because of beneficial roles these insects provide as plant pollinators and predators of agricultural pests.”

An insect that looks similar and can be confused for the Asian giant hornet is the Cicada killer wasp (Sphecius speciosus). They large solitary Asian Giant Hornetwasps found throughout the U.S. and burrow holes in the soil. Even with their large size, dangerous appearance and “dive-bombing” habit, adult Cicada killer wasps rarely come in contact with people and it is rare they will sting. The males of this species will make “dive-bombing” flight patterns, but do not have a stinger and an attack would not result in a sting. The female’s tubular egg-laying structure on the rear end can function as a very weak stinger. Her mild sting is similar to a slight pin scratch and is not considered by most people to be painful. Rutgers Cooperative Extension has more information on the Cicada Killer Wasp and other bees and wasps.

As more information comes out regarding the Asian giant hornet, it is best to pay attention to where this insect has been confirmed and how far it has spread. It is most likely that the Asian giant hornet would first spread and be reported in surrounding areas bordering Washington State and British Columbia, Canada before any reports would occur on the East Coast. Knowing this information may help to calm fears when seeing other hornets and wasps. As always, take precautions and avoid contact with stinging insects. For identification and recommendations contact your local county Rutgers Cooperative Extension office.

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With:
April 30, 2020

New Jersey Reopens State Parks and Golf Courses

Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 133, will be reopening state parks and golf courses, and restoring the authority of county governments to determine whether county parks will be open or closed. The order takes effect at sunrise on Saturday, May 2.

State Parks and Forests:

The order allows State parks and forests to open to the public for passive recreation, including fishing, hunting, boating, canoeing, hiking, walking, running or jogging, biking, birding, and horseback riding. Picnic areas, playgrounds, exercise stations and equipment, chartered watercraft services and rentals, swimming, pavilions, restrooms, and other buildings and facilities, such as visitor centers, interpretive centers, and interior historical sites, shall remain closed at this time. To limit physical interaction, the State parks and forests must implement reasonable restrictions that include:

• Limiting parking to 50% of maximum capacity and prohibiting parking in undesignated areas;
• Prohibiting picnics;
• Requiring social distancing to be practiced except with immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners; and
• Banning organized or contact activities or sports; and gatherings of any kind.

The order also recommends that people wear a cloth face covering while in public settings at the parks and forests where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

County Parks:

The order opens county parks to the public, except any parks closed by the county prior to Executive Order No. 118 that required all county parks be closed (the county will now have the ability to reopen its parks if it chooses). This will treat county parks the same way as municipal parks – the locality gets to determine whether they are open or closed. County and municipal parks that remain open must abide by the restrictions placed on State parks in today’s Order.

All recreational campgrounds and transient camp sites at campgrounds shall remain closed to the public. Residential campgrounds, including mobile home parks, condo sites, and existing/renewing 2020 yearly seasonal contract sites may remain open. Counties and municipalities can also place restrictions on the ability of residential campgrounds, including mobile home parks, to accept new transient guests or seasonal tenants, as defined by Administrative Order Nos. 2020-08 and 2020-09.

Golf Courses:

The order also opens golf courses so long as they adopt minimum social distancing policies that include:
• Implementing electronic or telephone reservation and payment systems while still providing options for populations that do not have access to internet service or credit cards;
• Extending tee times to sixteen minutes apart;
• Limiting the use of golf carts to one person unless being shared by immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners;
• Requiring frequent, and after each use, sanitization of high-touch areas such as restroom facilities, range buckets, golf carts, and push carts;
• Restricting the touching of golf holes and flags;
• Closing golf center buildings, pro shops, and other buildings and amenities;
• Removing bunker rakes and other furniture-like benches, water coolers, and ball washers from the course;
• Discontinuing club and equipment rentals;
• Prohibiting the use of caddies; and
• Limiting tee times to two players unless the foursome consists of immediate family, caretakers, household members or romantic partners.

The golf course may impose additional restrictions as necessary to limit person-to-person interactions. The order also recommends, but does not order, that employees, players, and other individuals on the golf course wear cloth face coverings while on the golf course. Additionally, the order clarifies that miniature golf courses and driving ranges must remain closed.

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Turf Tagged With: , ,
April 27, 2020

Ask the Ag Agent Weekly Online/Call-In Forum and New Web Page

Ask the Ag Agent was created when COVID-19 forced a new normal in communications nationwide. Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents working with “Ask the Ag Agent” education and outreach are cAsk the Ag agentommitted to the agriculture industry and all interested in growing plants, raising livestock and essential resources related to agriculture. The program now features a new Ask the Ag Agent website with more information.

Farmers and others are welcome to join a weekly teleconference each Wednesday night from 7:00pm-8:00pm. Weekly events are hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents working with the farming industry.

This call-in/WebEx event features updates on farm management, crop conditions, farm industry observations, agricultural agency programs and other topics discussed by farmers, agricultural agents and other agricultural service providers.

Hosted by Bill Bamka, Stephen Komar, Michelle Infante-Casella and Meredith Melendez, this weekly communication provides a forum for discussion for farmers and all involved in NJ agriculture. Agricultural agency personnel, non-profit organizations and others have participated and added additional discussion with farmers.

This event and other events hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension can be found on the Rutgers NJAES Events website.

To join the “Ask the Ag Agent” forum each week on a computer/tablet/smartphone via the WebEx Videoconference:

Use the URL: https://go.rutgers.edu/rc9n3kxtiPhone

To join the “Ask the Ag Agent” each week on the Phone:
Call: (650)-429-3300
Access Code: 799-743-872 # followed by #

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Organic Production, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , ,