November 1, 2022

USDA Grain Transportation Reports

The USDA Grain Transportation Report is a weekly publication from the Agricultural Marketing Service. The weekly highlights cover snapshots by sector for Export Sales, Truck, Rail, Barge, and Ocean movements.

Past reports provide a snapshot of production costs and grain delivery to ports, and how grains were ‘moving’ along in the system. These reports are useful for penciling out capital risk. For example: 

October 8, 2015 report: National diesel fuel price $2.49

  • page 2, feature article: The importance of China to Grain Transportation and Logistics.
  • page 4, current transportation issues: slow demand for barge services. No significant rail disruptions.
  • page 4, grain transportation cost indicators: Using a base year 2000 = 100 value (biweekly value shown)
    • truck 165
    • rail 255
    • barge 359
    • gulf 147
    • pacific 126
  • page 13, barge movements, all commodities nearly all above three year trend since July.

October 25, 2022 report: National diesel fuel price $5.34

  • page 2, feature article: Using inspection data and services metrics to analyze grain rail exports.
  • page 4, grain transportation cost indicators: using a base year 2000 = 100 value (biweekly value shown)
    • truck 358
    • rail 332
    • barge 1112
    • gulf 284
    • pacific 262
  • page 12, barge movements, all commodities nearly all below three year trend since July.

For more indepth reading on these reports and more, see the website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/transportation-analysis/gtr-datasets

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
September 28, 2022

Driving into High Path Avian Influenza Quarantine Zones in PA. Know the rules.

September 28, 2022. There has been a significant area placed under quarantine in Lancaster County East Lampeter Township. Read below to refresh on the rules when driving into a HighPath Quarantine Area.

For those traveling to Lancaster County for equipment, supplies and feed, be aware of the 20km zone that includes areas near Ephrata, New Holland, Gap, Quarryville, and Manhiem locations; and the 10km zone that includes Lancaster and Stroudsburg areas; and the epic-center 3km zone. 

Secretary Fisher has sent along the PADLS quarantine map to Ag Agents, you can contact your Ag agent for a copy of the map. The map when it is updated, can also be found at:  https://padeptag.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a9066a3d68a443a08043766cb84bf4ae

“Migration season is underway and the virus is obviously in the environment.  Please ensure all your poultry caretakers are practicing their best biosecurity, especially regarding using clean and dedicated footwear when entering the poultry houses.”- PADLS

Earlier this year….

As of 5/11/2022: The PA Department of Agriculture, via communications from Kevin D. Brightbill, DVM | State Veterinarian | Director is requesting continued compliance of the agriculture industry at large with the General Quarantine Order; Virus Control for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Poultry, Poultry Litter, Conveyances, Feed, Refuse, Containers and Material Standards for the existing control zones established in Lancaster and Berks County.

There is an Interstate (existing or carried on between states) and General Quarantine Order in effect in Pennsylvania; specific to Virus Control for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Vehicle, Container and Material Standards that is critical to abide by to prevent introduction of High Path. The specifics of “following the conditions and requirements of this Interstate and General Quarantine Order Order related to vehicles and products being transported including other domestic animals” can be found in the Pennsylvania Bulletin Volume 52 Issue 18 52 Pa.B. 2597 General Quarantine Order; Virus Control for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Poultry, Poultry Litter, Conveyances, Feed, Refuse, Containers and Material Standards.

https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol52/52-18/637.html

New Jersey agriculture producers, please be mindful of these efforts as you travel in and out of the location of the current quarantine area (10 kilometer radius) as shown in the PA DEPT AG MAP https://padeptag.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a9066a3d68a443a08043766cb84bf4ae.

Elsewhere in the region, please consider how you can help reduce potential spread as you travel to and from agriculture service centers in the region.

To stay up to date on the quarantine restrictions and recommendations related to disinfecting transportation vehicles and conveyances, please join the weekly Pennsylvania High Path Avian Influenza call by contacting Jennifer Reed – Harry, Penn Ag Industries at Email: jrharry@pennag.com

NJ Poultry Producers. To participate in the next South-Jersey Poultry Association monthly webinar with guest veterinarians from either USDA or state agencies, contact Melissa Bravo at the Salem County Extension Office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Disease Forecasting, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Plant Diagnostic Lab, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
September 20, 2022

SARE Farmer Grants for 2023 – Webinar on October 4th

Truck spreading fertilizerMultiple Northeast SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) grant recipient Tommye Lou Rafes, of T.L. Fruits and Vegetables in West Virginia, is sharing her experiences to help other farmers experiment with new ideas through the Farmer Grant program.

At noon on October 4th, 2022, Rafes will join Northeast SARE Grant Coordinator Candice Huber for an informational webinar to assist farmers interested in applying for up to $30,000 in funding for projects beginning in March 2023. Registration is required and participants are encouraged to submit questions ahead of the event. The Call for Farmer Grant Proposals is currently available and the online system for submitting applications is opening soon. Applications are due November 15, 2022.

Northeast SARE Farmer Grants are perfect for farmers looking to grow through new practices. Rafes first learned about SARE while attending a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training. One of the professors hosting the meeting was a SARE reviewer who invited the attendees to apply for a grant. Rafes knew sustainable practices like using renewable-powered high tunnels to extend growing seasons could be good for business as well as the planet. “Growing in the winter months is a completely different way than you do in the summer months,” she said. “I decided to test varieties that were successful during the winter months as well as growing conditions that could be improved so that people would be more successful.”

Grant Coordinator Candice Huber says Farmer Grants are an opportunity for farmers to try things that could improve their operations. SARE funds can cover the farmer’s time on the project, any farm workers time spent on the project, supplies that are not capital purchase, technical support, soil testing and other budgeted items. Farmer grant projects generally are for one year.

If you have an idea and you need resources to really explore it, a Farmer Grant can connect you with those resources. This webinar will be a good starting point and participants must pre-register. See below.

To sign up for the October 4th webinar at 12:00PM go to https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6516611235851/WN_RoG_IkMmSDGsduZwmFgKkA

For information about the application for SARE Farmer grants see https://www.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/Northeast-SARE-Farmer-Grant-Call-for-Proposals.pdf

For general information about Northeast SARE go to Northeast SARE Home Page – SARE Northeast

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