Grape Camp – South Jersey (July 27) and North Jersey (Aug 4)

Please use the below links for the program details for the South Jersey and North Jersey Grape Camp. Pesticide credits will be provided, however please register at the contact given below.

SOUTH JERSEY GRAPE CAMP

Tuesday, July 27 @ 4:30 PM

Rutgers Agriculture Research and Extension Center: 121 Northville Rd, Bridgeton, NJ 08302

Program details available at: https://go.rutgers.edu/wfr6vix

Registration: Please call Joan Medany jmedany@co.gloucester.nj.us or call 856-224-8030 if you are planning to attend. If an additional assistance is needed, please contact Hemant Gohil at 856-224-8029. Light fare will be provided.

NORTH JERSEY GRAPE CAMP

Wednesday, August 4th @ 4:30 PM

Alba Vineyard: 269 County Rd 627, Milford, NJ 08848

Program details available at: https://go.rutgers.edu/xh5onog3

Registration: Contact Kim Crommelin at 908-788-1338 or kfrey@co.hunterdon.nj.us If an additional assistance is needed, please contact Megan Muehlbauer muehlbauer@njaes.rutgers.edu. Light fare will be provided.

Nursery – Pest Scouting Guide for July – BWB and RHFB Reminders

NURSERY PEST SCOUTING GUIDE – JULY (1300-2200 GDD50)

Please download and print the pest scouting guide resources (printable version of the information below for your desk or truck) –(click on the link and then print)

To determine your local growing degree-days, please review this postObtaining your local growing degree-day information”

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of 7/1/2021
Region Location 1-Jul 1-Aug 1-Sep 1-Oct 1-Nov
Southern Upper Deerfield (NJ50) 1303 2145 2931 3477 3682
Central Howell / Freehold (NJ10) 1102 1896 2630 3109 3249
Northern High Point (NJ59) 884 1490 2045 2352 2384
Forecast: NOAA NCEP Coupled Forecast System model version 2 (CFSv2) forecast system (3.5 months) (USPEST.ORG)

 

(Same material as downloads)

Nursery Pest Scouting – Growing Degree-day Ranges  (1300-2200 GDD50) 
CROP TYPE Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Many Japanese beetle  Popillia japonica 950 2150 5 Adults emerge and feed
Turf Bluegrass billbug Sphenophorus parvulus 1094 1217 RU Larvae (40%)
Many Indian wax scale Ceroplastes ceriferus 1145 6 Crawlers (1st generation)
Many Oriental Beetle Anomala orientalis 1147 6 Adult emergence
Euonymus Euonymus Scale Unaspis euonymil 1150 1388 5 2nd generation targeted treatments
Dogwood Dogwood sawfly Macremphytus tarsatus 1151 1500 RU Larvae Treatment
Tulip Tuliptree aphid Illinoia liriodendri 1151 1514 RU Nymphs / adults
Boxwood Boxwood leafminer  Monoarthropalpus flavus 1200 1400 5 Larvae Treatment
Conifer Northern pine weevil Pissodes nemorensis 1200 1400 4 2nd generation adults active
Conifer Pales weevil Hylobius pales 1200 1400 4 Adults 2nd generation
Conifer Pine root collar weevil  Hylobius radicis 1200 1400 4 2nd generation adults active
Conifer White pine weevil Pissodes strobi 1200 1400 4 2nd generation adults active
Rhododendron Azalea whitefly Pealius azaleae 1250 1500 5 Adults/nymphs (2nd generation)
Turf Bluegrass sod webworm Parapediasia teterrella 1250 1920 RU Larvae
Birch Birch Skeletonizer Bucculatrix canadensisella 1266 1580 5 Typical treatment window
Shade trees European fruit lecanium Parthenolecanium corni 1266 1645 5 Crawlers
Many Fall webworm Hyphantria cunea 1266 1795 2 Caterpillars present – larvae treatment
Many Lacebugs ( on hawthorn) Corythucha cydoniae 1266 1544 RU Nymphs / adults
Many Leafhoppers Species within Cicadellidae  1266 1544 RU Nymphs / adults
Privet Privet rust mite Aculus ligustri 1266 1515 5 Second typical treatment window
Conifer Pine Needle Scale Chionaspis pinifoliae 1290 1917 3 Crawlers emerge (2nd generation)
Many Two spotted spider mite  Tetranychus urticae 1300 2000 RU Nymphs / adults
Turf N. Masked chafer Cyclocephala borealis 1377 1579 RU Adults (90%)
Conifer Hemlock scale Abgrallaspis ithacae 1388 2154 5 Typical treatment window
Lilac Lilac leafminer  Caloptilia syringella 1388 1644 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 1500 1775 RU Adults/nymphs (Douglas Fir)
Malus, Prunus, many Peachtree borer Synanthedon sp. 1500 1800 RU Larvae Treatment
Conifer Pine Needle Scale Chionaspis pinifoliae 1500 4 Hyaline crawlers = treatment timing
Conifer Nantucket tip moth Rhyacionia frustrana 1514 1917 RU Adults 2nd generation
Many Roundheaded apple tree borer Saperda candida 1514 1798 5 Typical treatment window
Many Redheaded flea beetle Systena frontalis 1570 1860 Udel. 2nd generation egg hatch
Many Japanese beetle  Popillia japonica 1590 1925 RU Adults (90%)
Many White prunicola scale Pseudaulacaspis prunicola 1637 6 Egg hatch / crawler (2nd generation)
Conifer Rust-mites  Nalepella and Setoptus spp. 1644 2030 RU Nymphs / adults
Many Two-banded Japanese weevil Pseudocneorhinus bifasciatus 1644 2271 RU Adults
Willow Willow twig aphids Lachnus spp. 1644 2271 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Juniper webworm Dichomeris marginella 1645 1917 RU Larvae Treatment
Euonymus Euonymus Scale Unaspis euonymil 1700 RU Continued 2nd generation treatments
Conifer Cryptomeria scale Aspidiotus cryptomeriae 1750 2130 RU, 4 Crawlers emerge (2nd generation)
Many Obscure scale Melanaspis obscura 1774 6 Egg hatch / crawler
Oaks Oak skeletonizer Bucculatrix ainsliella 1798 2155 RU Larvae
Conifer Arborvitae leafminer Argyresthia thuiella 1800 2200 RU Larvae Treatment (3rd generation)
Mimosa, Honeylocust Mimosa webworm Homadaula anisocentra  1800 2100 RU Larvae (2nd generation)
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 1850 1950 RU Galls open (Spruce)
Turf Hairy chinch bug  Blissus leucopterus 1903 2160 RU Second generation- 50%- 2nd instars
Tulip Tuliptree aphid Illinoia liriodendri 1917 2033 RU Nymphs
Conifer Zimmerman pine moth Dioryctria zimmermani 1917 2154 5 Treatment window (adult flight-1700 GDD)
Mainly Oaks Orangestriped oakworm Anisota senatoria 1917 6 Egg hatch – early instars
Conifer White pine aphid Cinara strobi 1991 2271 RU Adults
Rhododendron Azalea whitefly Pealius azaleae 2032 2150 5 Adults/nymphs (3rd generation)
Maple Sugar maple borer Glycobius speciosus 2032 2375 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Maskell scale lepidosaphes pallia 2035 6 Egg hatch / crawler (2nd generation)
Mainly Tulip Tulip tree scale Toumeyella liriodendri  2037 2629 RU Crawlers (1st generation)
Mainly Magnolia Magnolia scale Neolecanium cornuparvum 2155 2800 RU Crawlers (1st generation)
Locust Locust borer Magacyllene robiniae 2271 2805 5 Typical treatment window
Poplar and Willow Poplar and willow borer  Crytorhynchus lapathi 2271 2806 5 Typical treatment window
Conifer Spruce spider mite  Oligonychus ununguis 2375 2806 5 Typical treatment window
Note: Growing degree-day values utilize daily average air temperatures with a minimum temperature threshold (a.k.a. ‘base’) of 50F = GDD50 (max. temp. threshold set at 95F). These values are accumulated from a biofix date, such as January or March 1st in the NE USA. Provided GDD50 are scouting ranges and should be truthed. References RU Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Landscape IPM Notes
2 http://ccetompkins.org/resources/using-growing-degree-days-for-insect-management
3 https://extension.psu.edu/ipm-basics-for-christmas-trees#section-2
4 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_conifer_insects
5 https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/publications-forms/documents/landscape-pests.pdf
Daily GDD50 =                                                                                                  (Max + Min temp.) / 2 – 50 (min temp. threshold) 6 https://extension.umd.edu/ipm/pest-predictive-calendar-landscapenursery
7 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_landscape_insects
Unv. Del. Coorespondance with Dr. Kunkel (University of Delaware)-evolving GDD ranges
Compiled 7-6-2021 – Timothy J. Waller, Ph.D. – Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County Nursery Crops – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu  

Redheaded flea beetle considerations:

Adults are mating and laying eggs in southern NJ. Contact material applications are still viable to target adults now (if found scouting) but will also be useful when treating larvae prior to emergence from the soil/growing media in a few weeks time. The use of systemics should also be considered to protect foliage from the next generations adults and again late season to guard from first generation adults in the 2022 spring season.

NOTE: The majority of RHFB I have personally observed have been seen later in the evening, especially if the foliage is wet. I have also isolated an anthracnose pathogen (Colletotrichum sp.) from what appeared to be damaged leaves. Thus a complete fungicide – insecticide program needs to be in place if this is a high value crop for your business.

Refer to this chart for material and timing considerations (GDD50 forecasts updated 7/6/2021) – CLICK HERE


Boxwood blight considerations: 

Preventative applications should continue in high value plantings. As with the vast majority of foliar diseases, overhead irrigation plays a major role in reducing the staying power and efficacy of fungicides. Overhead irrigation or rain events also play a critical role in pathogen dispersal and ease of entry by these pathogens into plant tissues. Anything you can do to reduce/limit overhead irrigation in virtually all crops will aid in reducing the overall disease pressure that your plants experience.

Boxwood Blight Risk Model (CLICK HERE) – In 30 seconds you can have a better idea of boxwood blight (and other pathogen) activity in your immediate area!

    • (click on the link – input area code – select closest weather station – check 7-14 prediction – click on graph / table) 

Great new resources by Steve Rettke

Mimosa Webworm Activity Begins

Some Key Soft Scale Pests in the Landscape


SURVEY REQUESTS

Please answer a few questions if you would like to be included in a statewide Phytophthora in Conifer Nurseries sampling project 

Please fill out this brief survey if you are experiencing damages due to Redheaded flea beetle (RHFB)

Contact – Timothy J. Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu for more information

New Jersey Farmland Preservation Seeking New Applications for State Acquisition Program

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher recently announced that the New Jersey Farmland Preservation Program is accepting new applications for farm owners wishing to permanently preserve their land. The State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), the agency that administers the program, is accepting new applications through its State Acquisition Program in which landowners coordinate directly with the SADC office to preserve their farms.

If you are interested in exploring preservation, the SADC acquisition regional coordinators are ready to help.

  • Stefanie Miller (covers Hunterdon county) stefanie.miller@ag.nj.gov
  • Amy Mandelbaum (covers Atlantic, Cape May, Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Camden, Gloucester counties) amy.mandelbaum@ag.nj.gov
  • Katie Mazzella (covers Salem, Cumberland counties) katie.mazzella@ag.nj.gov
  • Rachel DeFlumeri (covers Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Warren counties) rachel.deflumeri@ag.nj.gov.

You may also call the SADC’s main number at 609-984-2504 or visit the SADC’s website at www.nj.gov/agriculture/sadc/farmpreserve/.

 

Click to access 2021.6.21SADCAnnouncesSeekingDirectEasementApplicationsFINAL.pdf

 

Saturated soils, corn and soybean conditions

June 9, 2021

Last night’s storm brought ground shaking lightening strikes and nearly an inch of rain to most of Salem County south of Route 40 and over two inches of rain north of Route 40 with pockets exceeding 2.3 inches near the Gloucester-Salem line.

Corn lean after deluge

Corn lean after deluge

 

Corn: Prior to the deluge preemergence herbicides were continueing to do their job with few examples of seedling weed flushes since planting. After the storm, corn in the v4 stage that recently received nitrogen is exhibiting rapid uptake and stem elongation.

Despite widespread signs of leaning from the deluge (the taller the corn, the more obvious the easterly lean), no signs of green snap were observed. However, plants are loosely rooted in oversaturated soils and may lodge further if another round of storms comes before surface soils drain.

Green snap is more of a threat after v8 stage when stems rapidly elongate prior to tasseling.

In these high rainfall areas, leaching of recently applied nitrogen has most likely occurred. Monitor crop condition in fields closely if side-dress nitrogen was applied just prior to these storms.

In areas of excessive precipitation, pay particular attention to signs that pre-emergence herbicide residiual activity has stopped controlling the weed seed bank. An indication is flushes of seedling ragweed, lambsquarters, pigweeds and seedling grasses.

Soybeans: Unfortunately many soybeans fields have ponding water at the moment and soiled seedlings up to v3 trifoliate stage.

Flooded field

Dry soil conditions and the intensity of the deluge splashed soil onto emerged leaves. Note these areas for outbreaks of bacterial foliar diseases after fields have canopied.

Soybeans do not like saturated conditions as their roots will quickly run out of air. Nitrogen fixing bacteria can also aphixiate, but plants generally recover well if sandy soils drain quickly. Monitor soybean fields closely for signs of damping off and root rot if ponding continues for more than 48 hours. The causative agents at this stage of development are most likely Fusarium spp, Rhizoctonia solani, Phytophthora sojae, and Pythium spp. After conditions return to normal, dig up plants and evaluate if nitrogen fixing bacteria survived and overall health of the roots.

Ivy leaf morning glory continues to be the most observed weed seen in bean fields right now but populations are sporadic giving some indication that previously applied herbicides have continued to work.

Nursery – Pest Scouting Guide for June, Boxwood blight advisory, survey requests

BOXWOOD BLIGHT

There is an immediate potential for boxwood blight June 4/5th throughout NJ.

Preventative / protective fungicide applications should be initiated and continued in high value crops

Boxwood Blight risk-model information, considerations, and links:

Boxwood Blight Risk Assessment as of 6/1/2021
Region Location CODE 1-Jun 2-Jun 3-Jun 4-Jun 5-Jun 6-Jun
Southern Upper Deerfield NJ50 Very Low  Very Low  Low  Infection Risk Infection Risk Low 
Central Howell / Freehold NJ10 Low  Very Low  Low  Infection Risk Infection Risk Low 
Northern High Point NJ59 Very Low  Very Low  Low  Infection Risk High Risk Low 
Please check your local boxwood blight risk here (click here and type in your area code – select closest station)

 

Wednesday 5/4/21 -PPA Post regarding boxwood blight activity (click here)

  • These advisories are general in nature and change rapidly so someone from your business should be using this risk model (CLICK HERE) daily if boxwood is important to your financial stability – In 30 seconds you can have a better idea of boxwood blight (and other pathogen) activity in your immediate area!
    • (click on the link – input area code – select closest weather station – check 7-14 prediction – click on graph / table) 

 

NURSERY PEST SCOUTING GUIDE – JUNE

Please download and print this pest scouting guide resource: (click on the link and then print)

To determine your local growing degree-days, please review this postObtaining your local growing degree-day information”

Projected GDD50 accumulation as of 6/1/2021
Region Location 1-Jun 1-Jul 1-Aug 1-Sep 1-Oct
Southern Upper Deerfield (NJ50) 590 1283 2125 2910 3456
Central Howell / Freehold (NJ10) 438 1078 1873 2607 3085
Northern High Point (NJ59) 353 837 1444 1999 2305
Forecast: NOAA NCEP Coupled Forecast System model version 2 (CFSv2) forecast system (3.5 months) (USPEST.ORG)

 

Nursery Pest Scouting – Growing Degree-day Ranges (500-1300 GDD50)
CROP TYPE Common Name Scientific Name GDD Min (50F) GDD Max (95F) Reference Developmental / Target Stage
Many Spotted Lantern Fly Lycorma delicatula 250 1000 PA Dept. Ag 1st-4th Instar (nymphs) – control target
Conifer European pine shoot moth Rhyacionia buoliana 480 710 5 Larvae Treatment
Malus, Prunus, many Peach Tree Borer Synanthedon sp. 500 600 RU Adults – emerge (1st treatment both types)
Rhododendron Rhododendron Borer Synanthedon rhododendri 509 696 RU Adults emerge
Many Redheaded flea beetle Systena frontalis 517 1028 Unv. Del Adults – feeding / laying eggs
Many Cottony camellia / taxus scale Pulvinaria floccifera 520 6 Crawlers (1st generation)
Birch Birch Leafminer Fenusa pusilla 530 700 RU Larvae (2nd generation)
Oak Oak blotch leafminers Cameraria spp. ; Tisheria spp. 533 912 5 Typical treatment window
Maple Greenstriped mapleworm Dryocampa rubicunda 533 1645 5 Control target
Conifer Arborvitae Leafminer Argyresthia thuiella 533 700 RU Adults (egg laying) – larvae treatments
Euonymus Euonymus Scale Unaspis euonymil 533 820 RU Crawlers (1st generation)
Conifer Balsam gall midge Paradiplosis tumifex 550 700 4 Galls apparent
Conifer Juniper scale Carulaspis juniperi 550 700 7 Egg hatch
Malus, Prunus, many Greater peach tree borer Synanthedon exitiosa 575 710 4 Adult emergence
Conifer Cryptomeria scale Aspidiotus cryptomeriae 600 800 3 First crawler emergence
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 600 1000 7 Nymphs active – Douglas fir (control target)
Conifer Bagworm Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis 600 900 RU Larvae (early instars) – ONLY CONTROL WINDOW
Conifer Cryptomeria scale Aspidiotus cryptomeriae 600 800 RU Crawlers (1st generation)
Elm Elm leaf beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola 600 1300 7 Larvae (2nd generation)
Conifer Spruce budscale Physokermes hemicryphus 700 1150 4 Crawlers (1st generation)
Many White prunicola scale Psedaulacaspis prunicola 707 1151 RU Crawlers (1st generation)
Conifer Juniper scale Carulaspis juniperi 707 1260 RU Crawlers (1st generation)
Many Calico scale Eulecanium cerasorum 714 6 Crawlers (1st generation)
Conifer Striped pine scale Toumeyella pini 750 800 4 Egg hatch
Turf Hairy cinch bug Blissus leucopterus 765 870 RU 1st generation (50% – 2nd instar)
Oak, hickory, birch, many Oak leacanium scale Parthenolecanium quercifex 789 6 Crawlers (1st generation)
Rhododendron Azalea Lacebug Stephanitis pyrioides 802 1029 RU Eggs / Nymphs 3rd Generation
Many, shadetrees Cottony maple scale Pulvinaria innumerabilis 802 1265 RU Crawlers (1st generation) – control target
Oaks Oak spider mites Oligonychus bicolor 802 1265 RU All Stages
Many Roundheaded appletree borer Saperda candida 802 1129 RU Adults
Oaks Golden oak scale Asterolecanium variolosum 802 1266 5 Egg hatch
Acer Cottony maple leaf scale Pulvinaria acericola 802 1265 5 Crawlers (1st generation)
Maples Japanese maple scale Lopholeucaspis japonica 829 6 Crawlers (1st generation)
Elm European elm scale Gossyparia spuria 831 1388 6,2 Crawlers (1st generation)
Mimosa, Honeylocust Mimosa webworm Homadaula anisocentra 880 RU Larvae (1st generation)
Turf Bluegrass billbug Sphenophorus parvulus 884 1003 RU Larvae 20%
Turf N. Masked chafer Cyclocephala borealis 898 905 RU 1st adults
Honeylocust Honeylocust mite Eotetranychus multidigituli 912 1514 2 All Stages
Honeylocust Honeylocust spider mite Platytetranychus multidigituli 912 1514 5 Typical treatment window
Shade trees European fruit lecanium Parthenolecanium corni 932 1645 6,RU Crawlers  – control target
Many Japanese beetle Popillia japonica 950 2150 7 Adult emergence and feeding
Conifer Pine tortoise scale Toumeyella parvicornis 1000 1200 4 Egg hatch ends, last of crawlers
Ash Emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis 1000 1200 4 Peak adult activity
Many Redheaded flea beetle Systena frontalis 1028 1570 Unv. Del 2nd generation of un-hatched eggs
Yew, many conifers Fletcher Scale (Yew) Parthenolecanium fletcheri 1029 1388 RU Crawlers (1st generation) – control target
Locust Locust leafminer Odontota dorsalis 1029 1388 RU Adults
Juglandaceae Walnut Caterpillar Datana integerrima 1029 1514 2 Larvae Treatment
Many Indian wax scale Ceroplastes ceriferus 1145 6 Crawlers (1st generation)
Many Oriental Beetle Anomala orientalis 1147 6 Adult emergence
Euonymus Euonymus Scale Unaspis euonymil 1150 1388 5 2nd generation targeted treatments
Dogwood Dogwood sawfly Macremphytus tarsatus 1151 1500 RU Larvae Treatment
Tulip Tuliptree aphid Illinoia liriodendri 1151 1514 RU Nymphs / adults
Conifer Northern pine weevil Pissodes nemorensis 1200 1400 4 2nd generation adults active
Conifer Pine root collar weevil Hylobius radicis 1200 1400 4 2nd generation adults active
Conifer White pine weevil Pissodes strobi 1200 1400 4 2nd generation adults active
Boxwood Boxwood leafminer Monoarthropalpus flavus 1200 1400 5 Larvae Treatment
Conifer Pine Needle Scale Chionaspis pinifoliae 1250 1350 7 Crawlers (2nd generation)
Rhododendron Azalea whitefly Pealius azaleae 1250 1500 5 Adults/nymphs
Many Lacebugs ( on hawthorn) Corythucha cydoniae 1266 1544 RU Nymphs / adults
Many Leafhoppers Species within Cicadellidae 1266 1544 RU Nymphs / adults
Many Fall webworm Hyphantria cunea 1266 1795 2 Caterpillars present – larvae treatment
Privet Privet rust mite Aculus ligustri 1266 1515 5 Second typical treatment window
Many Two spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae 1300 2000 RU Nymphs / adults
Conifer Cooley spruce gall adelgid Adelges cooleyi 600 1000 7 Nymphs active – Douglas fir (control target)
RU Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Landscape IPM Notes
2 http://ccetompkins.org/resources/using-growing-degree-days-for-insect-management
3 https://extension.psu.edu/ipm-basics-for-christmas-trees#section-2
4 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_conifer_insects
5 https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/publications-forms/documents/landscape-pests.pdf
6 https://extension.umd.edu/ipm/pest-predictive-calendar-landscapenursery
7 https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/agriculture/christmas_trees/gdd_of_landscape_insects
Unv. Del. Coorespondance with Dr. Kunkel (University of Delaware)
Compiled 6-1-2021 – Timothy J. Waller, Ph.D. – Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County Nursery Crops – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu

 

SURVEY REQUESTS

Phytophthora sampling project – grower collaborators wanted 

Please answer a few questions if you would like to be included in a statewide Phytophthora in Conifer Nurseries sampling project 

Redheaded Flea beetle NJ specific survey: 

Please fill out this brief survey if you are experiencing damages due to Redheaded flea beetle (RHFB)

Contact – Timothy J. Waller – twaller@njaes.rutgers.edu for more information

Sun exposure and shade necessary for guardian livestock animals and their flocks

Many landowners have added on pasture fowl in the last year and realized the need for pasture protection from owls, eagles, and hawks; and minks, skunks, and foxes. Many have gotten guardian animals. These animals range from great pyrenes to donkeys to lamas.

The rule of thumb. When the heat and sun are high in a cloudless sky, shade is essential to prevent dehydration of all livestock including guardians and regardless of species or breed; or the ancestral climate where the animals originated from. If it is too hot and too bright to be outside wearing a winter coat and sunglasses, make sure animals have access to sun-shelters. This is especially relevant now as we enter a week of high temperatures without precipitation. Recently sheared animals are at risk of sun burn and light skinned, light eyed animals are at risk of sun blistering on eyes, noses, and lips. As fly season has begun, this is a critical distinction. Fair-skinned animals with lighter eye pigment and lighter pigment on nose and lips are more prone to pink eye and other eye infections.

Tree cast shade is excellent as long as the shade cast direction is into the enclosed area from high noon to sunset. In the absence of natural shade cast into the pasture by high noon, man-made shelters need to be provided. Consider modifying fences to allow animals to reach tree lines. Man-made shelters should reflect sun and must allow for air flow. In the same manner a pop-up tent would provide shade for humans in outdoor recreation settings. The size of the shelter must match the size of the herd lying down with social distancing space included. This may require splitting herds up to match shelter sizes.

Non-cattle, non-equine livestock guardian shelters. Round bale feeders covered with a metal gate and tarp or plywood are a quick emergency solution for single unfettered dogs, rams, and other small statured guardian animals as long as they can easily climb through the spaces. Usage has to be monitored to make sure the livestock being guarded are not crowding into the same shaded space and collars should be removed to prevent getting caught on bolts. These types of temporary shade structures should not be used for multispecies groups. A better solution is calf huts or home-built a-frames.

For large herds (excluding cattle and equine). Multiple shelter’s will be needed and again, herds may need to be split into groups. If you do not have a barn or lean too shed, flat bed wagons tall enough for sheep, lambs, goats, geese, and chickens are another quick solution. In pastured situations, these mobile shelters must be moved regularly to avoid fly larval build up and bacterial contamination of teats in nursing dams. Stationary shelters should be cleaned regularly for the same reasons.

Prevent young stock injury. Overcrowding fights for space in shade will lead to lamb, kid, chick and calf injuries. Dogs and donkeys will naturally protect their ‘resting space’. Chickens and other fowl should not be crowding into the same space as the guardian dog or donkey. As your herd expands, provide more shade. If nothing else, even round bales set out along the outside of the fence so that their shadow casts inwards will provide some shade from the effect of high sun and high heat.

Monitor water availability, quality, and temperature. When animal’s crowd water sources, contamination is inevitable. As daily temperatures increase, watering systems need to be cleaned daily and covered to lower the temperature of the water. Water temperature influences rumen and gut function and just like humans, animals don’t want to drink super warm water. As the temperature of the water goes up, consumption goes down. For man-made watering systems containers, provide water shade when water temperatures are staying above 77°F.

Make sure all animals and fowl have access to plain white salt. In single species herds, specialized salt blocks containing other minerals should be used that are species appropriate. Remember, salt block mineral formulations for cattle are not always safe for sheep and goats. In mixed herds, during high heat, make sure animals have daily access to choose from plain white salt and iodized salt blocks.