September 10, 2021

New round of pandemic assistance application opens Sept 23rd

USDA has announced a new program, called Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program.

“The Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program provides grants to food processors, distributors, farmers markets, and producers to respond to coronavirus, including for measures to protect workers against novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID–19). This program is authorized and funded under section 751 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 116—260). USDA developed the PRS Grant Program in response to extensive stakeholder feedback during listening sessions in March 2021, and written comments provided through March 30, 2021. Information from the listening sessions is available online at: www.ams.usda.gov/services/ams-covid-stimulus.

Important Dates:
Application Period Opens: September 23, 2021
Application Period Closes: 11:59 PM Eastern Time on November 8, 2021

All applications submitted before the deadline will be considered for funding. Applications will not be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.” – Pandemic Response and Safety Grant website.

Follow this link for eligibility: https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov/usda?id=usda_eligibility_info

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops
September 3, 2021

Concerned about flooded pastures or forage contamination?

If producers have concerns about flooded pastures and forage quality; or concerns about heavy metal contamination in flood contaminated water and soils that can lead to livestock toxicities, here is an article for Progressive Forage I wrote on this topic this spring that may be useful. See the article, Adverse Weather Impacts Essential Nutrient Uptake.

Weather Prediction Center estimated rainfall totals

Weather Prediction Center estimated rainfall totals from Ida as of September 2 2021

In areas impacted by the debris field of tornadic and straight-line winds; and receding flood waters, metal objects and other splintered particles are of concern. Producers (volunteers, workers, families) should review their tetanus vaccinations for themselves and their livestock and be mindful of metal and other small particle debris contamination of any additional forage harvest this season.

Any superficial cuts should be disinfected promptly and monitored for signs of bacterial infection. This is important to remind, as many are wearing rubber boots these days as opposed to hard soled leather boots. Any puncture of any kind should be seen by a doctor if it occurred from an object previously submerged in flood waters.

While this second article in this series focuses on drought bacterial concerns in livestock; it does have useful information on what ingested or respirated bacterial species to be concerned about where livestock have no choice but to consume contaminated forages. See the article, The Biologicak Risk of Drought. 

 

The third article forthcoming in this series for Progressive Forage focuses on mycotoxins associated with droughty conditions was recently published in the September issue: Adverse Weather and Hidden Dangers of Moldy Feed .

 

Additional information about past storm mortalities associated with toxic bacteria, poisonous plants, and plant-pest toxins can be found in the Northeastern Plant Pest Conference abstract, Recent Extreme Weather Events: Animal Deaths Linked to Toxic Plant and Pest Outbreaks.

For local information on the storm rainfall estimates from Ida, follow this link: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/nfdscc4.html.

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized
August 26, 2021

Register now for NJNLA Summer Plant Symposium – New Date – Sept. 21st – 9am-4:30pm – in cooperation with RCE

POSTPONED UNTIL 9/21/2021

Looking for educational content and multiple forms of recertification credits?  

Click here for program information and to register

This year, NJNLA’s Summer Plant Symposium will be at Fernbrook Farms’ outdoor tented area – September 2nd – (9am -3pm with optional credit bearing tour until 4:30pm) – IN-PERSON – Following all CDC guidelines 

Speakers are Steve Rettke and Bruce Crawford (Rutgers University), Randi V. Wilfert Eckel, Richard A. McCoy, and Keynote Speaker Dr. Douglas Tallamy 

Multiple types of credits available:

TALK CREDITS:

  • NJ Pest: Core – 2, 3A – 4, 3B – 2, 8C – 4, PP2 – 4
  • PA Pest: PC – 4, 06 – 4, 18 – 4, 23 – 4
  • ProFACT (Fertilizer): 2 Credits
  • LTE/LTCO: 2.5 Credits
  • NJUCF: 4 Credits
  • ISA: 5 Credits
  • APLD: 5 Credits
  • CNLP: 1 Design, 1 Plants, 2 Environment, 1 Professional
  • NALP: 5 Credits

OPTIONAL TOUR CREDITS (after main event):

  • NJ Pest: 3A – 2, 10 – 2, PP2 – 2
  • LTE/LTCO: .5 Credits
  • NJUCF: 1 Credits
  • ISA: 1.5 Credits
  • APLD: .75 Credit
  • CNLP: .5 Environment, 1 Professional
  • NALP: 1 Credit

 

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,
August 23, 2021

Harvesting forage and cover crops on prevent plant acreage

USDA’s Risk Management Agency updated their 2021 ‘Prevented Planting Coverage’ in July. This update allows crops planted on insured acreage to be harvested as forage, including cover crops, without resulting in a penalty or reduction of payment if certain conditions apply.

https://rma.usda.gov/News-Room/Frequently-Asked-Questions/Prevented-Planting-Coverage

Scroll down on their page ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ and read the “What are my options for planting forage on prevented planting acres?” sample questions and example scenarios. And the same question is posed related to planting a cover crop. 

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized
August 22, 2021

Cash rental rates released by NASS

The Cash Rents Survey estimates have been published by the National Agriculture Statistical Survey Office. Survey responders reported an average cropland rental rate of $76/acre across the state ranging from $46 an acre on average for pasture; $66/acre on average for non-irrigated cropland; and $128/acre on average for irrigated cropland. The link to the data is:

https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Cash_Rents_by_County/

State average cash rentals by year: Url shortener: 2021 Cash Rents by State NASS Data

County level by year cash rental rates: Url shortener: Past Year’s Cash Rents NJ NASS

 

 

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized
August 22, 2021

USDA Surveying Producers Small Grain Production

USDA to Measure Small Grain Production

“HARRISBURG, PA – During the first two weeks of September, a sample of small grains growers around the country will receive Agricultural Survey questionnaires from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2021 production and supply of small grains, including wheat, oats, barley, and rye. ” – August 13, 2021 News Release

To read the full announcement go to: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/New_Jersey/Publications/Current_News_Release/2021/2021_Sept_Ag_Area_Survey_News_Release.pdf

Filed Under: Field, Forage & Livestock, Uncategorized