Organic Farm Advisory

The Plant & Pest Advisory serves NJ growers by reporting on important pests and recommending responses that are grounded in reproducible trials.

Articles in this section contain information helpful to the NJ commercial organic grower.

Sharing organic practice trial results between land-grant universities is a cost effective way to create a common knowledge base built on the strengths of individual programs. In the sidebar, find institutions with programs in organic agriculture which augment knowledge developed at the Rutgers New Jersey Ag Experiment Station.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Field Guides: These concise guides help with decision making from pre-planting to harvest. For each crop listed, learn what pests to proactively look for as the season progresses, how to look for them, and when to take action.

Field Guide List

Vegetable IPM Update 9/30/20 -New CEW Map

Attention:  Please refer to this updated CEW pheromone map for the weekending 9/30/20.  We were able to procure some late data from traps in the southwestern portion of the state.  These indicate a significant influx of CEW moths on the recent storm system.  At this time, these migratory individuals appear to be limited to southwestern NJ (see CEW pheromone map at left).  The blacklight network is still indicating a 3-day silk spray schedule in the northern counties, while the pheromone network is at 5-6 day.  In the south, the pheromone map is now indicating a 3 day spray schedule.  Under cold night conditions, it is possible to adhere to a more relaxed schedule, but growers should tighten up by a day if we return to warmer nights.   The number of pheromone traps deployed is much lower, resulting in much broader color bands on the map.    Additionally, several of the northern pheromone trap sites no longer have silking corn nearby.  This influences the catch, resulting in fewer moths captured.   The current population continues to be an economic threat.  It is important to use effective materials to manage this pest on silking corn.  Insecticides in the IRAC 28 class (Coragen, Besiege, Exirel) and IRAC 5 (Radiant, Blackhawk, Entrust (OMRI approved)) remain among the most useful insecticides against CEW.

 

The highest nightly trap catches of CEW in pheromone traps for the week ending 9/30/20 are as follows:

Monroeville   180 Pedricktown   20 Springdale   7
Woodstown   150 Eldora   12 South Branch   2
Green Creek   31 Berlin   10 Allamuchy   1

Silking Spray Schedules*:
South – 3 days

Central – 3-4  days

North – 4-5 days

*These recommendations are based on regional catches.  Adhere to tighter spray schedules if indicated by local trap catches.  Synthetic pyrethroids alone should NOT be used for corn earworm (CEW) protection on silking corn, or for fall armyworm (FAW) management at any stage.  Control with these materials is very inconsistent.

 

 

Tips for Renewal of NJDEP Private Pesticide Applicators Licenses

RecieptRutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents have been receiving questions from farmers on what to do with the renewal applications they recently received from NJDEP Pesticide Control Program. The invoice may be somewhat confusing. So here are a few tips to help.

1. The $0.00 Amount Due is correct on the invoice. Farmers with a “Private” applicator licenses do not pay for licenses and renewals. So you do not need to send any payment and in the box where it says “enter the amount of your payment” enter $0.00.

2. The best way to complete this renewal is not to mail in the form, but instead renew online. CLICK HERE to renew your license online. YOU WILL NEED YOUR PAPERWORK WITH YOUR “INVOICE NUMBER”. Do not use the NJEMS Bill ID number, instead find the invoice number above.

It would be a good idea to print the screen with the confirmation that you renewed online, since the system does not send you an email confirmation. The screen also states, “License generation may take a few weeks”. So, please be patient and if you need to use your license number, continue to use the same number on your expired license for recertification credits, as your license number will not change. It also says to not send the paper forms once you did your online submission. See photo to the below for an example of the confirmation screen you will see when renewing online.Website

3. If you must mail the renewal, here are some TIPS:

a. You will need to provide your own envelope and a stamp when mailing back the forms.

b. Also, the form may be confusing since the bottom tab to return says to mail to Treasurer-State of New Jersey, while the “Reminder” section says to mail forms/letters to NJDEP Licensing and Registrations.

c. Do not mail the bottom tab and other information for renewal of your Private Pesticide license to NJDEP. It is to be mailed to the NJ Department of Treasury – as stated on the return portion at the bottom of the first page.

d. Fill out page 2 and check to see if all your information is correct on page 2. Do not forget to sign and date the bottom of page 2 before mailing with your “payment” tab from page 1.

e. It may be best to send these forms in using USPS “Certified Mail” or UPS or FEDEX to track that it was received. Your pesticide license is very important for your business and you would want to verify it was received.

If you need more assistance with pesticide licenses, contact the NJDEP. Contact information in the photo below.Zoom in of a reciept

Best wishes and we hope this information is helpful in renewing your NJDEP Private Pesticide Applicators License.

Vegetable IPM Update 9/30/20

Note:  Next week (10/07/20) will be the final regular edition of the Vegetable IPM Update for 2020.  We will post alerts should special pest situations arise.

Sweet Corn

Corn earworm (CEW) moth captures continue to decline, although with temporary increases on warm nights.    Growers should consider this pest to still be at moderate population levels in the state, with higher risk during stretches of warmer nights.   The current population poses a significant risk to silking corn.  Green areas on this map (see map at left)   represent a 3-day spray schedule.  However, night temperatures in the 40 to low 50 F range, may permit the extension of that spray interval by a day.  For further information on CEW activity, see pheromone trap information below.

 

The highest nightly trap catches of CEW in black light traps for the week ending 9/30/20 are as follows:

Hackettstown   3 Eldora   2 Matawan   1
Allamuchy   2 Sergeantsville   2 Medford   1
Bellemeade   2 Califon   1 Oldwick   1
Clinton   2 Downer   1 South Branch   1

[Read more…]

Webinar Tomorrow: “Ask the Ag Agent” Fall Series, Every Other Wednesday at 7:00PM

Farmers and others are welcome to join this bi-weekly teleconference every-other Wednesday night from 7:00pm-8:00pm in September and October. Events are hosted by Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agricultural Agents working with the farming industry.

This call-in or WebEx webinar 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.

Some topics for this Wednesday include:
1. Debate on the New Jersey Law on eliminating plastic bags and other containers
2. Public perception of agriculture with the pandemic
3. Update on the hemp industry and Rutgers hemp research
4. Discussions on winter educational programs with Rutgers Cooperative Extension
5. NJ DEP Pesticide License Testing to be handled by Rutgers OCEP in the future
6. Obtaining pesticide recertification credits next year

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

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

Click Here to Join or use the link https://go.rutgers.edu/g4v4gy0x

To Join by phone call:
+1-650-429-3300 passcode 1202639477##

For this event and other Rutgers Cooperative Extension events see the NJAES Calendar.

Whole-Farm Revenue Protection Program Improvements For Direct Marketers

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced modifications to the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) program to decrease paperwork and recordkeeping burdens for direct marketers beginning with the 2021 crop year.

“These changes will allow more direct marketers who previously could not meet reporting requirements a way to participate in the Whole-Farm program and provide better and more affordable coverage to these diversified growers,” RMA Administrator Martin Barbre said. [Read more…]

Vegetable IPM Update 9/23/20

Sweet Corn

 

Corn earworm (CEW) moth captures have declined dramatically with cold night temperatures.  As nights warm again toward the weekend, we may see some recovery in adult activity.  Growers should consider this pest to still be at moderately high population levels in the state unless warmer nights indicate that the threat has diminished.     The current population poses a significant risk to silking corn.  Green areas on this map (see map at left)   represent a 3-day spray schedule.  However, night temperatures in the 40 to low 50 F range, may permit the extension of that spray interval by a day.  For further information on CEW activity, see pheromone trap information below.

 

The highest nightly trap catches of CEW in black light traps for the week ending 9/23/20 are as follows:

Long Valley   8 Morristown   2 Downer   1
Hackettstown   3 New Egypt   2 Elm   1
Denville   2 Allamuchy   1 Old Bridge   1
Farmingdale   2 Cedarville   1 Tabernacle   1

[Read more…]