September 16, 2022

Sept 22 HighPath Avian Webinar for Backyard Producers

USDA Defend the Flock Program

Navigating Avian Influenza: from prevention to recovery

Webinar Registration – Zoom

Learn from USDA and other experts about how to keep your flocks safe from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This session is for enthusiasts, farmers, educators, and anyone interested in signs and symptoms of HPAI, what to watch out for during fall migration, and how to develop an effective biosecurity and response plan. Hear about one educational farm’s experience managing a potential HPAI outbreak and get tips on how to keep your poultry flocks safe.

 

Time: Sep 22, 2022 02:30 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized
September 15, 2022

SLF: 2022 Management Recommendations in Vineyards

by Katarzyna Madalinska and Anne L. Nielsen

Adult SLF are moving into vineyards from the surrounding landscape. The number of SLF on each vine varies greatly within each vineyard and locations in the state. In most vineyards in NJ and PA there is a strong border effect with numbers highest along the outside rows. However, the orientation and shape of your vineyard influences border effects. SLF are actively feeding on grapevines and will continue to feed for 1-2 months. Most SLF are in the upper canopy and as the grapes start to store carbohydrates for the winter, SLF will move down the vine, eventually feeding at the base of the vine. Research suggests that feeding by adult SLF may harm primary bud formation the following season and reduce winter hardiness. There is not a specific treatment threshold, but a good rule of thumb is 10 SLF per vine. Movement into the vineyards will continue for several weeks so multiple insecticide applications may be needed.

Treatment at this time of year is of course complicated by pre-harvest intervals (PHI) for each insecticide and grape variety. It is important to remember that SLF will feed on vines post-harvest. There are several effective insecticides available with pre-harvest intervals and residual activity (Table 1). When treating vines pre-harvest, dead SLF are commonly observed in the clusters. Post-harvest, insecticides such as Danitol or Brigade/Bifenture/bifenthrin have the longest residual activity and are expected to reduce feeding.

There are several reasons to manage adult SLF in September and October during peak movement.

  1. Adults feed on the canes, cordon, and trunk of grape vines. Excessive feeding has been shown to lower winter hardiness by >1.5°C.
  2. SLF females lay egg masses in October. Killing females prior to egg laying will decrease population growth the following year.

Table 1. Effectiveness of Insecticides Against Spotted Lanternfly Adults. Modified recommendations from Leach et al. Crop Protection 2019 v. 24  DOI:10.1016/j.cropro.2019.05.027

Trade name Active ingredient SLF Activity Rate per acre Seasonal Allowance Residual Activity PHI

(days)

 REI

(hrs)

 Labeled for SLF?
Mustang Maxx 0.8EC cypermethrin Good 4 oz 24 oz <3 1 12 Yes, 2(ee)
Scorpion 35SL dinotefuran Excellent 5 oz. 20.9 oz <7 1 12 Yes, 2(ee)
Actara 25WDG thiamethoxam Excellent 3.5 oz 7.0 oz <14 5 12 Yes, 2(ee)
Carbaryl 4L carbaryl Excellent 1-2 qt 10 qt 7 7 12 No
Avaunt 30DG indoxicarb Fair 6 oz 12 oz 7 7 12 Yes, 2(ee)
Danitol 2.4EC fenpropathrin Excellent 16-21.33 oz 42.66 oz >26 21 24 Yes, 2(ee)
Brigade 2EC bifenthrin Excellent 3.2-6.4 oz. 6.4 oz 21 30 12 Yes, 2(ee)

 

There are several reasons to manage adult SLF in September and October during peak movement.

  1. Adults feed on the canes, cordon, and trunk of grape vines. Excessive feeding has been shown to lower winter hardiness by >1.5°C.
  2. SLF females lay egg masses in October. Killing females prior to egg laying will decrease population growth the following year.
Filed Under: Fruit, Uncategorized, Wine Grape Tagged With: ,
September 14, 2022

Hessian Fly-Free Planting Date Reminder

Grower planting small grains for ‘grain’ harvest next year should review the Hessian fly-free planting date for their area. Wheat is more at risk, rye for grain is least at risk.

Additional information on this season’s damage in wheat in Salem County can be found at: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/crop-progress-and-hessian-fly-sightings/

Penn State article on early planting and risk of hessian fly damage

Penn State Fact Sheet on Hessian Fly 

Beck’s Hybrids has a map on their website that is also helpful to gauge your location

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
September 14, 2022

High Probability of Downed Droughty Corn During Hurricane Season

The national oceanic and atmospheric agency at Colorado University has released their forecasting for the next two months of the Hurricane and Tropical Storm Season. The strong La Nina is persisting into a third year coupled with decreasing water temperatures returning closer to normal for this time of year are reportedly similar to 1999, 2000, 2011 and 2021 conditions.

Field corn: The stalk stability of droughty corn is much less tolerant to high winds than non-droughty corn. Given the drought conditions, corn producers may have the ability to harvest corn earlier than normal due to rapid dry down on the cob. Current soil moisture conditions are very suitable for fitting fields for winter small grain establishment.

Moldy cornAspergillus mold species often show up after drought conditions, posing a significant risk of aflatoxins in the corn crop if present. Aspergillus molds are carcinogenic to people and cause losses in livestock and poultry. Combine operators and elevator operators should take precautions against inhaling fungal spores. Signs of Aspergillus ear rot include evidence of powdery olive-green mold on the ear tip or on kernels in the ear.

Corn with brown spots

Fusarium ear rots are also probable in fields that had significant high humidity and high temperatures as grains are developing to black layer. Fusarium molds show up as white to pink cotton-like growths mold scattered throughout the ear. A starburst like pattern may occur on infected kernels that may also be brown in color.

*Inhaling poison ivy volitile oils and ivyleaf morning glory and jimson weed dust as they go through the combine along field edges should also be avoided. 

For additional images see https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/encyclopedia/aspergillus-ear-rot-of-corn

Hurricane Season: Hurricane forecasters have stated that this La Nina and nearer to average water temperatures are similar to 1999, 2000, 2011 and last year. Given that in 1999, 11.41 inches of rain fell in Salem County; and in 2000, 5.76 inches fell in Salem County; and in 2011, 6.19 inches fell in Salem County in the month of September, producers who can harvest early may want to consider higher moisture harvest if standability is an issue. Hurricane season peaks from mid-August to mid-October with the season ending on Nov. 30.

Soybeans: Soybean fields should be walked for signs of stem snap in areas with high levels of soybean stem borer activity in 2020 and where July herbicide applications visibly stressed plants during the height of the drought this season. Due to in season stresses, bean maturity in the pods may be farther along in some fields than leaves indicate. If 90% of the beans are tan, test moisture levels frequently.

Salem County producers can pick up mycotoxin plant analysis bags at the extension office. Current pricing from regional laboratories are as follows:

1. NJ Department of Agriculture website submission form: (click link)

Mycotoxin test. Please call the laboratory to check on current availability and pricing

 

2. Dairy One Mycotoxin Testing: (click link)

  • Mycotoxin Panel $105: Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, Vomitoxin, Zearalenone, T2, 3-acetyl DON, 15-acetyl DON
  • Ochratoxin A $77
  • Fumonisin B1, B2, B3 $77
  • Full Panel $210

3. Dairyland Laboratories Individual Toxins: (click link)

  • Aflatoxin  $55.00
  • Vomitoxin (DON) $55.00
  • Zearalenone $55.00
  • T-2 /HT2 $55.00
  • Fumonisin  $55.00
  • Ochratoxin $55.00

Check out the historical storm map maker image below at https://spacecoastdaily.com/2019/08/noaa-historical-hurricane-tracks-explore-more-than-150-years-of-historical-hurricane-landfalls/

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
September 6, 2022

Survey of cole crops and leafy green growers – novel weed control technology

Tractor

Several university weed scientists from around the U.S. (Clemson, Cornell, UC Davis, Florida, Michigan State, Rutgers, Arkansas) have developed a survey as part of a Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) planning grant (SC-2021-07806 DEVELOPING A NATIONAL TEAM TO OPTIMIZE NON-HERBICIDE WEED MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES IN COLE AND LEAFY GREEN CROPS).

We would appreciate if you could share it with your constituents and cooperators (growers, crop consultants, extension personnel, industry partners) via newsletters, email blasts or other outreach efforts.

 ** WE NEED YOUR INPUT! **

 

Tractor for extracting weedsWeed management in vegetables can be difficult due to a shrinking labor pool, which is becoming more costly to source, and a lack of effective herbicides. Research and extension efforts must focus on integrating novel weed technology into current crop production systems. Autonomous and semi-autonomous robotic weed control technology has been implemented by some vegetable growers, mainly in the Western US, but is not universally available to or adapted by many producers. This survey is designed to new tools of interest (e.g. precision sprayers or cultivators, electrical weeders, drones, etc.) for managing weeds in cole crop and leafy green systems as well as the environmental, physical and economic barriers to adoption. The results of this survey will benefit vegetable growers by enabling the research team to develop relevant and realistic research efforts informed by the needs of and constraints faced by our local stakeholders. Specifically, we will use survey data to develop a multi-regional USDA grant proposal to bring grower-specified technology to each our states for evaluation and demonstration under a variety of commercial conditions and provide growers with an economic assessment of their performance relative to current best management practices.

The survey is voluntary and anonymous. All replies will be de-identified. It should take less than 10-15 minutes to complete. The link is below.

https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1IfwcgkAXC9i6h0

 

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Thierry Besançon, Associate Professor and Extension Weed Science Specialist for Specialty Crops, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, thierry.besancon@rutgers.edu.

Tractors

 

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Cranberry, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops, Wine Grape Tagged With: , , , ,
September 2, 2022

Rabies Awareness. Be Alert to Rabies While on Vacation

During prolonged droughts, rabies cases in the wild (raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats etc.) and in feral cats and dogs is known to increase compared to prior years. As the holiday weekend ensues, and many are going to campgrounds and parks and visiting friends out of town, be alert to the presence of rabies in multiple counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and take precautions to not be bitten. If a wild animal actively chases you, do not let the animal bite you.

Livestock can and do get rabies. Cases of reports in cattle have occurred in Pennsylvania in 2022. In their March report, two cows and a horse tested positive for rabies in the state. In the last eleven years, twelve horses have tested positive for rabies in New Jersey.

2022 NJ reported rabies cases by counties link: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/rabies_stats/rabcases2022.pdf

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/statistics/rabies-stats/

2022 PA reported rabies cases by counties. This map is from March 2022. Because in the course of a month, there has probably been a positve report of rabies in every county in Pennsylvania, assume rabies is present (still circulating in wild animals) in the county in September of 2022.  https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Animals/AHDServices/diseases/Pages/Rabies.aspx

If you are bitten by any wild animal or feral animal or even a domesticated pet or livestock, it is recommended that you:

  • Report to the local police so they are aware.
  • If a wild or feral animal, also report to Game-wildlife regional office.
  • Go to the hospital and fill out a public health notification form. This form notifies the state public health office, and a nurse will call you to advise you of the rabies monitoring period and treatment protocol.
  • Notify your local doctor as soon as possible.
  • Also, call your state reporting number so that the record of the attack is logged in their database.

Pennsylvania hotline: (717) 772-2852 / ra-ahds@pa.gov

New Jersey hotline: Contact the NJ Public Health and Environmental Laboratories, Rabies Laboratory: via email: rabies.PHEL@doh.nj.gov or. via telephone: (609) 530-8416, 671-6418 or 671-641.

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops