March 16, 2022

Wondering what manure is worth right now?

Given the high costs of ‘commercial’ fertilizer components (N, P, K), many are looking at the range of nutrient credit from “unmanipulated animal or vegetable manure”1 sources.

Here is a very comprehensive calculator created by The University of Minnesota Extension for growers who keep track of all costs associated with fertilizer application.

To fine tune your estimates consider the following when calculating benefit of nutrients in manure vs fertilizer:

Manure nutrients are applied at a ton per acre rate basis to give the equivelent unit of nutrient in fertilizer that is applied at a pound per acre rate basis. Different species create vastly different nutrient credits.

On average,

Poultry manure contains the most nutrients per ton requiring the least tons per acre (1.5 to 3 tons/acre) to be equivalent to purchased fertilizer Nitrogen units of 50 lbs. (Please read the PPA post on poultry manure import restrictions due to High Path Avian Influenza)

Fresh beef manure generally requires 20 to 25 to 30 tons/acre to be equivelant to purchased fertilizer Nitrogen units of 50 lbs.

Fresh horse manure contains the least amount of Nitrogen and requires 100 tons per acre to be equivalent to purchased fertilizer units of 50 lbs, but as horse manure ages, the organic credit increases as the carbon:nitrogen ratio comes into equilibrium. Take this into consideration as aged piles many have much higher value.

  • Use an actual analysis of composted, bedding manure or fresh manure
  • Composted manure includes the shavings, straw, hay. Fresh manure is raw product, very little foreign material
  • Test aged piles separately from fresh
  • Aged piles (broken down, look like soil) can be sent in as soil test if well composted
  • Fresh samples must be sent in as fresh manure, vented properly and packaged properly so they do not cause issues in transit. Read the laboratories instructions on shipping carefully 
  • Account for cost to ship samples to lab
  • Capture in analysis the organic nitrogen credit
  • Capture in analysis micronutrient credits as these trace minerals add value to ‘manure’ beyond just the major three nutrients (N, P, K).
  • Know the common weed seeds most likely to be in fresh manure
  • Know the common weed seeds most likely viable in aged manure
  • Consider value of aged manure (organic nitrogen, soil health, worm castings, actual worms) vs fresh (hot) manure (higher N value)
  • Account for moisture content in figuring rate per acre, tons per load etc. as analysis will be on a DM basis
  • Laboratory fees range from $14.00 per test to $60.00 per test. Check current prices online before submitting sample, and use the laboratories submission form
  • Consider transporation costs
  • Consider spreading costs (manually vs manure spreader)
  • Be aware of any restrictions (days since application etc.) on using fresh or unaged manure on crops that will be harvested for human consumption (fresh market etc.) in particular be aware of FSMA Final Rule on Produce Safety that states”the final rule as of 12/02/2021 requires that untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin, such as raw manure, must be applied in a manner that does not contact covered produce during application and minimizes the potential for contact with covered produce after application. For more information on this rule, see https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-produce-safety

 

Footnotes:

For information on what constitutes sale of a commercial ‘fertilizer’ see  https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/md/pdf/FertilizerLaw.pdf

An indepth fact sheet on manure can be found at https://ag.umass.edu/crops-dairy-livestock-equine/fact-sheets/manure-nutrient-resource

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
March 16, 2022

Action required NOW to safeguard Nursery shipping – SLF egg mass guide, additional resources, permitting

EXTREMELY  IMPORTANT – PLUS EGG MASS VISUAL GUIDE

Crippling load-by-load phytosanitary requirements are a very REAL concern for the nursery industry this spring.

WE as an industry are in this together, in order to safeguard our industry please do the following:

  1. SLF Training Permits for hang-tags (click here) are required for each company driver who delivers your plants out-of-state. This training is relatively simple and you can also obtain Training materials to educate your employees (click here)
  2. Scout every plant for ANY SLF life stages – from dead adults to egg masses. REMOVE any egg masses prior to shipment and train employees to know the various appearances of SLF egg masses.
  3. Use this guide – SLF EGG MASS GUIDE – USE FOR TRAINING (click here to download) (print and hang up / distribute to personnel)
  4. Refer to this great resource from Penn State: Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide (click here)
    1. An excerpt pertaining to the use of Dormant/Hort oils to suffocate egg masses (note this is not enough for plants about to be shipped (scraping required!), rather this may be considered for plants with SLF that are not being shipped this spring)Ovicides to Kill Egg Masses
      Experiments have shown that some insecticide sprays can kill SLF eggs. So far, all experiments were done between February and April using egg masses that had intact protective coverings. The most effective insecticides tested that are registered for use on ornamentals were horticultural and dormant oils. When oils were applied directly to the egg masses at a concentration of at least 3 percent, they were effective in killing up to 75 percent of treated eggs. Labels must be followed to prevent plant damage, and not all plants should be sprayed due to phytotoxic damage potential.These experiments suggest that registered insecticidal oils may provide some control of eggs if they are applied between February and April in high enough volumes to get excellent coverage. Oils offer a lower-toxicity option and may provide some control of egg masses that are not accessible for scraping or smashing. However, for egg masses that are within a reachable area, scraping or smashing will provide greater efficacy than currently available ovicides. We are actively researching other ovicides that could provide increased control, and we encourage you to stay up to date on our progress.

Please be diligent in this matter. Early season sprays to target nymphs will be discussed soon, but for now remove ANY and ALL signs of SLF in ANY SHIPMENTS! 

Use this guide – SLF EGG MASS GUIDE – USE FOR TRAINING (click here to download)

 

The following is an alert and reminder from NJDA and NJNLA, and Nick Polanin’s prior post…

Grower Alert: Don’t Let Spotted Lanternfly Impact Spring Shipping

The spring shipping season is upon us, and Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) should be one of your top concerns. You are probably well aware of the shipping disruptions that could occur if any life stage of Spotted Lanternfly is found on outbound deliveries from NJ growers.

No doubt many of you heeded the NJ Dept. of Agriculture’s recommendations last fall and implemented control measures to prevent the spread of neighboring infestations into your nursery or greenhouse facility. To the extent that those efforts might have come up short, you would be well advised to begin scouting and removing any egg masses (and adult carcasses) from your crops – especially as items are being loaded for shipment. Otherwise, you run the risk of contaminated shipments being fully rejected by the vigorous inspections that are planned at out-of-state retail and landscape destinations this season.

Even though you may disagree with these measures, be advised that it remains within the discretion of any state to impose crippling load-by-load phytosanitary requirements on future deliveries.

Load-rejections that occurred last fall underscore the seriousness of the Spotted Lanternfly situation and the far-reaching impact it might have on your business and the NJ industry at large.

Additionally, Spotted Lanternfly training permits are required for each company driver who delivers your plants out-of-state. This training is relatively simple and available online by clicking HERE.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to NJNLA (609-291-7070) or the NJ Department of Agriculture Plant Diagnostic Lab (609-406-6939).

Joseph Zoltowski, NJDA; Ed Overdevest and Lori Jenssen, NJNLA

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Turf, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,
March 10, 2022

2022 Update on Weed Control with Preemergence Herbicides for Highbush Blueberry

With a looming shortage of some postemergence herbicides, effective use of soil-applied preemergence herbicides becomes increasingly important in 2022. As the T3 stage is forecasted for early April, soil-applied preemergence herbicides should be sprayed before blueberry bud break.

Soil-applied preemergence herbicides should be applied prior to weed seed germination. If applied to weeds that are already out of the ground, most of these products will not control them if they are not mixed with a postemergence herbicide. Glufosinate (Rely 280), paraquat (Gramoxone) and carfentrazone (Aim) are postemergence herbicides that may be applied with preemergence herbicides with little risk for crop injury. Keep in mind that at least ½” rainfall or irrigation is needed within 7 days after application to move (“activate”) preemergence herbicides into the soil solution. Delaying activation may reduce overall performance if some weeds continue to germinate under low soil moisture conditions or if herbicide at the surface of the soil is susceptible to sunlight breakdown.

Make sure the herbicides you plan to apply will be effective at controlling the weed species in your field by checking the herbicide label. Usually, residual herbicides will suppress weed for 5 to 8 weeks depending on irrigation as well as soil and weather conditions. After this period, another residual herbicide can be needed to control weeds through harvest and could be mixed with postemergence herbicides to control emerged weeds. In order to reduce the potential of selecting for herbicide-resistant weeds, it is highly recommended mixing two herbicides that belong to two different WSSA (Weed Science Society of America) groups whenever you apply preemergence herbicides.

Please, refer to the 2022 New Jersey Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for more information on herbicide rates and use restrictions. https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=E265

 

WSSA group 0 – Unknown Site of Action

  • Devrinol (napropamide) will provide good control of annual grasses and should therefore be tank mixed with a PSII or a PPO inhibitor for controlling broadleaf weeds. Devrinol is rapidly degraded if left exposed on the soil surface, so it should be applied less than 24 hours before a rain event to incorporate the herbicide in the soil.

WSSA group 2 – Acetolactate Synthase (ALS) Inhibitors

  • Solida, Matrix SG (rimsulfuron) and Sandea (halosulfuron) are ALS-inhibiting herbicides that have both preemergence and postemergence activity. They control most annual broadleaves but are weak on common groundsel, common lambsquarters and eastern black nightshade. Sandea is ONLY recommended for postemergence control of yellow nutsedge.
  • However, these two herbicides will NOT control ALS resistant weeds (horseweed, ragweed) already widespread in New Jersey. Thus, these herbicides should always be tank mixed with a partner effective at controlling these weeds.

WSSA group 3 – Mitosis Inhibitors

  • Kerb (pronamide) and Surflan (oryzalin) are effective at controlling many annual grass species for 4 to 6 weeks after application. Surflan should not be applied to soils containing more than 5% organic matter
  • Kerb also helps controlling perennial quackgrass as well as annual bluegrass. If applied to warm soils, Kerb persistence and weed control can be severely reduced; therefore, keep Kerb for fall/winter application when soil temperature remains under 55°F. Do not use Kerb on blueberries that have not been established for about a year.

WSSA group 5 and 7 – Photosystem II (PS II) Inhibitors

  • PS II inhibitors have a broad spectrum of control and will be effective against many broadleaves and annual grasses when applied in spring. Karmex (diuron) and Princep (simazine) have relatively low solubility and have been very safe on blueberries. Sinbar (terbacil) has a longer residual life in the soil and also is more soluble, so it should be used infrequently on light, wet soils. Velpar (hexazinone) is very soluble and should not be used on New Jersey sandy soils. These herbicides are effective on many broadleaf weed species, including common chickweed, common lambsquarters, common groundsel, henbit, nightshade, redroot pigweed, pineapple weed, shepherd’s-purse, smartweed, and some mustards.  Princep and Sinbar will also control many annual grasses and help suppressing quackgrass.
  • Trellis (isoxaben) is registered for bearing and non-bearing blueberry. Trellis will be most useful in new plantings for preemergence control of annual broadleaf weeds such as common lambsquarters, ragweed, black nightshade, horseweed and smartweed. It does not control grasses.

WSSA group 12 and 27 – Carotenoid Biosynthesis Inhibitors

  • Solicam (norflurazon) can be applied in fall or early spring primarily for annual grass control and quackgrass suppression. Solicam may also provide partial control of many broadleaf weeds as well as of yellow nutsedge. Do not use Solicam on blueberries that have not been established for about a year.
  • Callisto or Motif (mesotrione) will control many annual broadleaf weeds as well as annual sedges. It controls large crabgrass but no other grasses, such as goosegrass. Callisto may be used as a broadcast spray between rows to control broadleaves and crabgrass without injuring the fescue sod. However, Callisto CANNOT be applied after the onset of bloom.

WSSA group 14 – Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase (PP0) Inhibitors

  • Chateau (flumioxazin) and Zeus XC or Zeus Prime XC (sulfentrazone) have activity against many annual broadleaf weeds (pigweeds, common lambsquarters, ladysthumb, mallow, shepherd’s-purse) when applied preemergence in spring.
  • Chateau and Zeus Prime XC also have some postemergence activity on newly emerged seedlings of annual weeds. Herbicides containing sulfentrazone will also provide suppression of yellow nutsedge.
  • Chateau has a 7 days pre-harvest interval (PHI) and Zeus Prime XC has a 3 days PHI, allowing these herbicides to be applied later in the season to extend preemergence broadleaves control into summer. Blueberry plants must have been established at least two years prior to use of these herbicides.

WSSA group 15 – Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase (PP0) Inhibitors

  • Dual Magnum (S-metolachlor) has a 24(c) Special Local Need label for blueberry in New Jersey. This herbicide provides preemergence control of many annual grasses and some small-seeded broadleaf annual weeds such as redroot pigweed, nightshade and common purslane. Dual Magnum also suppresses emergence of yellow nutsedge. Use Dual Magnum only on plants established for more than one year, and lower rates are suggested on 2- to 3-year-old plantings.

WSSA group 20 – Cellulose Synthesis Inhibitors

  • Casoron (dichlobenil) is a cellulose synthesis inhibitor recommended for fall application to control many annual and perennial broadleaves, grasses and yellow nutsedge. If left on the soil surface or if applied to warm soil (> 55°F or 70°F depending on Casoron formulation), Casoron can lose much of its activity. So, keep this herbicide ONLY for fall/winter applications. Plants must be at least one year old before Casoron should be used.
Filed Under: Blueberry, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,
March 7, 2022

Wheat Stand Coming into 2022 and Sky-high Fertilizer Prices

The excessive amount of rainfall in October (5.06 inches) delayed planting of winter wheat and other fall grain cover crops in some areas of the state. As recorded by the Rutgers NJ State Climatologist Monthly Climate Tables, in Salem County, the precipitation in October (3.74 inches) was near normal (30-year average) and temperatures averaged a high of 63.2 degrees F. Small grains that benefited from this moisture put on more above ground biomass than November plantings if they were not planted in overly saturated soil conditions conducive for causing poor stand establishment.

In November, state-wide saw only .98 inches fall compared to the norm of 3.36 inches. In Salem County, the deficit was even more, with only .72 inches falling compared to the norm of 3.18 inches with temperature highs of 44.7 degrees. Carry over moisture from October should have been adequate in most areas of the county to optimize seed germination. Late plantings in December were possible due to above normal temperatures of 43.9 degrees, but soil moisture was lacking due to only 1.18 inches falling compared to the thirty-year average of 4.0 inches.

The back-to-back months of little precipitation coupled with windy conditions did not yield rapid development of the crop compared to field observations in 2020. Despite the near normal precipitation state-wide in January (3.45 inches) small grains gained little beyond shoot and early tillering stage with average temperature highs of only 28.7 degrees state-wide and 31.4 degrees in the county the first month of 2022.

Temperatures were all over the place in February with two days above 70 degrees the week of February 20th in Salem County, enough to bring winter wheat out of dormancy since February 7th. Near normal precipitation (2.88 inches) in February encouraged growth and applications of nitrogen fertilizer are ongoing as the crop rapidly develops.

Nitrogen fertilizer prices have climbed steadily since this time last year, and more than doubled since the crop was planted in October. The combination of moisture, warm weather and soil conditions should optimize any recent applications. Areas that received more than a half an inch in the last seventy-two hours (Estimated Precipitation, Mid-Atlantic River Forecast Center)  should monitor moisture conditions carefully to track utilization of applied nitrogen if future precipitation exceeds 3 inches in the next two weeks. In February, nitrogen prices were still well above $600 /ton for products like UAN28, UAN32 and Urea. DAP, MAP, and Potash remained above $800/ton and anhydrous ammonia soared above $1000/ton.

Fertilizer pricing real time:

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized
February 28, 2022

Tomorrow’s Webinar and Poultry Biosecurity Resources

February 28, 2022,

In light of the High Path Avian Influenza detections in January and February in wild birds (mallards, geese, etc.) and domesticated birds (commercial poultry and backyard flocks) in several states including Delaware, Maine, and New York, please take a moment to become familiar with the following resources and attend the two webinars this week on March 1 at 7 pm and March 3 at 2:30 pm. See links at the bottom of this page.

USDA Current Outbreak Detections:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-2022

USDA Defend the Flock Steps:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/defend-the-flock-hpai

USDA Defend the Flock Resources:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/defend-the-flock-program/dtf-resources/dtf-resources

Information on the Indemnification Payment Eligibility and Process:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/downloads/hpai_flat_rate.pdf

The NJ Dept. Agriculture information on High Path Avian Influenza link is: https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/

The NJ Dept Agriculture Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory information is: https://nj.gov/agriculture/ahdl/

Upcoming Webinars to Attend this Week

Penn State Extension is hosting a webinar on HPAI and biosecurity in small poultry flocks. Tuesday March 01 at 7 – 8:30 pm. No charge. https://web.cvent.com/event/2076c179-f94c-4abb-bbfe-b19c6ad3190a/summary

USDA APHIS Defend the Flock program is hosting a free webinar on Thursday, March 3rd at 2:30pm ET for new or small flock owners this week as part of bird health awareness week. You can register for the webinar by using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mDQlu5S-SBK1nkEVsMODVQ

Additional Resources

Pasture Poultry Talk on High Path Avian Influenza: https://pasturedpoultrytalk.com/2022/02/18/a-discussion-on-highly-pathogenic-avian-influence-and-pastured-poultry/

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized
February 4, 2022

Poultry Alert: Review, Implement Biosecurity Measures

February 4 2022,

Poultry Flock Disease PreventionAlertThe United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in wild birds in South Carolina and North Carolina. Wild birds can be infected with HPAI and show no signs of illness. They can carry the disease to new areas when migrating. APHIS anticipates additional wild bird findings as robust wild bird sampling program continues into the spring. – For the full press release see the APHIS website. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/sa_by_date/sa-2022/hpai-detections-sc-nc

NJ Poultry Owners: “Each year as spring arrives across the country, many people start or grow their backyard poultry flocks and this year in particular, the number of new flock keepers appears to be growing quickly. The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has an educational campaign that offers many resources to help protect the health of all poultry flocks. The Defend the Flock campaign focuses on sharing good biosecurity practices that, when practiced every day, every time, will help protect poultry from infectious diseases. Many new owners are starting from scratch and the best time to implement strong biosecurity is right from the start. The Defend the Flock Resource Center brings together biosecurity information and free resources from USDA and other experts, including growers, veterinarians, state agencies, scientists, and industry professionals. All the information you need to practice good biosecurity is available here, including checklists, resource guides, videos, and other tools.” For detailed information on steps to take to protect your flock go to the USDA Defend The Flock Website.  https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/news/sa_by_date/sa-2020/backyard-poultry-keeper-resources

NJ PRODUCERS: WHERE TO REPORT SICK BIRDS OR UNEXPLAINED DEATHS

All poultry owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, need to report sick or unexplained bird deaths to State/Federal officials immediately. For small flocks, this can include deaths of one bird per day for two days in a row. For more information or to report sick or dead poultry contact:  New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health 609-671-6400 or state.veterinarian@ag.nj.gov -OR- USDA APHIS Veterinary Services NJ Area Office 609-259-5260 or toll-free at 1-866-536-7593. To Report Sick/Dead Wild Birds, Wild Waterfowl, Raptors, Shorebirds or Gulls: USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, 908-735-5654 ext. 2 or call NJDEP Hotline, toll free, 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337). Check the State website for current updates regularly at:  https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/diseases/avian_influenza.html#4

County Resources: If you are located in Salem, Cumberland, or Gloucester counties, consider joining the South Jersey Poultry Association, a group that meets virtually and holds on farm pasture walks related to the Defend The Flock Program. To enroll, take the survey here, and email Melissa Bravo at Salem County Cooperative Extension at melissa.bravo@njaes.rutgers.edu. The office also has a supply of biosecurity on farm posters provided by APHIS Veterinary Services and the Department of Agriculture.

Host a local meeting for neighbors. Host a virtual meeting and invite your local extension office Agents, staff and an APHIS PPQ Veterinarian, State of NJ Veterinarian or Fish, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologist to meet with your group to discuss the Defend the Flock Program, biosecurity measures to protect poultry, steps to take to minimize contact with wild birds, receive updated information on past and current health alerts and talk about concerns regarding the impact to your operation. For assistance in connecting with speakers, contact Melissa Bravo at melissa.bravo@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized