May 18, 2021 Anne Nielsen

Spotted Lanternfly Hatch

photo by Autumn Angeles

Spotted lanternfly nymphs are hatching throughout the state and first instars are present in multiple vineyards. Lanternfly overwinters in the egg stage and hatch is quite protracted, likely depending on the microhabitat where eggs are laid. In our surveys in 2019-2020, we identified a 2 year delay from the time SLF adults are first identified in the woods bordering vineyards and movement of the adults into the vineyard and laying eggs at levels that require management.

While it may seem counterintuitive, management is not needed as soon as SLF hatches. There is currently no evidence that the nymphs cause any yield loss or plant injury. However, this is an invasive species that requires management and there is no threshold for management against the nymph stage.

Best management practices against SLF nymphs in vineyards are to time management with other key insect management such as grape berry moth or Japanese beetle. This will not only save on insecticide costs but will also allow for all of the nymphs to hatch from the egg masses. See the table below on efficacy of materials targeting multiple vineyard pests.

Trade name	Active ingredient	Class	Rate per acre	Days of activity	SLF	GBM	JB
Brigade 10WSB	bifenthrin	Pyrethroid	16 oz.	14	E	E
Actara 25WDG	thiamethoxam	Neonicotinoid	3.5 oz	7	E		G
Assail 30SG	acetamiprid	Neonicotinoid	5.3 oz	<7	G	G	F
Carbaryl 4L	carbaryl	Carbamate	2 qt	7	E	G	G
Avaunt 30DG	indoxicarb	Oxadiazine	6 oz	7	E	G	G
Danitol 2.4EC	fenpropathrin	Pyrethroid	21.33 fl oz	7	E	E	E
Belay	clothianidin	Neonicotinoid	6 oz.	–	G	G	G
Baythroid	cyfluthrin	Pyrethroid	3.2 oz	7	E	E

E = excellent control
G = good control
F = fair control

Filed Under: Fruit, Uncategorized, Wine Grape Tagged With: Spotted Lanternfly

May 18, 2021 Tim Waller

It is time to put Bagworms on your radar in Southern NJ

Photo: Rich Buckley

Bagworms should begin hatching in the next 2-6 weeks throughout NJ, starting in the southern regions. Now is an optimal time to get this pest on your radar and prepare materials or approaches to attack first/second instar caterpillars. The control window for this pest is typically between 600-900 GDD₅₀(growing degree-days) and treatments should be in use prior to their mobile, airborne, “ballooning” phase. Check that the eggs have hatched prior to application of pesticides – as most compounds will not be effective at all if the first instar caterpillars are not present. Lethal pesticide doses are important, as sub-lethal doses can trigger early pupation, making the pest all but invincible to chemical or biological treatments.

Bagworm management – mechanical: If eggs have not hatched: hand-remove sacs/bags. Typically female/egg filled sacs are higher in the canopy so keep that in mind while scouting.

Treatment options for Lepidoptera (caterpillars) to have at the ready – containing: B.t. (Bacillus thuringiensis)(Dipel), spinosad (Entrust SC), bifenthrin (Talstar, UP-Star), cyfluthrin (Decathlon 20WP), carbaryl (Sevin SL), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn), cyclaniliprole (Sarisa), cyclaniliprole + flonicamid (Pradia), Lambda-cyhalothrin (Scimitar GC), cyantraniliprole (Mainspring), Indoxacarb(Provaunt)

IT IS CRITICAL TO ROTATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BETWEEN IRAC GROUPS DUE TO THE NUMBER OF POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS

DISCLAIMER: The label is the law, always refer to it for allowable host crops, use-restrictions, application rates, reapplication intervals, re-entry intervals (REI), and mix compatibility information. Production and pesticide information on this site are for private/commercial pesticide applicators and landscape professionals only, and are NOT for home gardener use. Provided materials represent examples and do not cover all possible control scenarios. Trade-names listed do not imply endorsement and are used as examples only. Please contact your local agent or chemical sales representative for more information or to discuss additional pest management options.

More information on Bagworms:

Steve Rettke’s 2020 PPA Post – Bagworm caterpillars have hatched throughout most of NJ

RU Bagworm FactSheet

Bagworms on Ornamental Landscape Plants

Photo Credits: Rich Buckley (Plant Diagnostics Laboratory) https://njaes.rutgers.edu/plant-diagnostic-lab/

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Nursery, Turf, Uncategorized Tagged With: bagworm, conifer, Growing degree-days, Insect management, insecticides, Nursery

May 4, 2021 Melissa Bravo

USDA wants to hear how Covid-19 impacted beginner farmers

“WASHINGTON, May 4, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced a virtual listening session for beginning farmers and ranchers to learn how COVID-19 impacted their farming operations and to get their feedback on USDA assistance. The listening session will take place on May 6, 2021, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Eastern time.”

For more information, visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/newsroom/releases/?cid=NRCSEPRD1772035

Filed Under: Uncategorized

March 26, 2021 Meredith Melendez

What water test do you need and how often do you need to do it?

FSMA Produce Safety Rule compliance, third party audit standards, and general best practices all include the need for irrigation, harvest, cleaning, sanitation, handwashing, pesticide application, drinking and postharvest water testing. Not all tests are the same, but all cost money, so make sure what your paying for meets your needs.

Here are the questions we commonly get from produce growers and answers that we hope you find helpful:

What water test do I need for a water source that is used only for irrigation of crops and/or pesticide applications?
– This water should be tested for generic E. coli, acceptable results give you a number answer of 126 CFU (colony forming units) or MPN (most probable number) or less. You do not want a presence/absence (P/A) test. A P/A test would not be sufficient for a third-party audit requirement or the FSMA PSR.
-Most water testing labs on the NJ Water Testing Lab Map (link below) offer the EPA 1603 analysis, which satisfies both the FSMA PSR anticipated requirements and third-party audit requirements.
-Other acceptable analysis methods are described on the
Produce Safety Alliance Water Analysis Method Requirement fact sheet.
-Well water sources used for irrigation should be tested once a year.
-Surface water sources should be tested at least three times during their period of use, ideally when starting irrigation, mid-season, and close to harvest. Surface water sources include irrigation ponds (spring fed, well fed, or other ponds), streams, rivers, and other bodies of water that are exposed to the surface.
-Municipal water sources used for irrigation should have a copy of the water testing record on file. These testing records are often found online or are available upon request. Made sure that generic E. coli is listed on the report.

What water test do I need for a water source that is used during the harvest process? Handwashing water? Cleaning and sanitizing use? Postharvest washing and cooling water?
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Organic Production, Strawberry, Tree Fruit, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops

March 25, 2021 Robin Brumfield

What Farmers Need to Know about the Latest Relief Bills

Recent COVID-19 relief programs have impacts for farmers.

The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. The New Jersey Department of the Treasury has also extended income tax payments from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. This relief does not apply to estimated tax payments that are due on April 15, 2021. These payments are still due on April 15. Source: Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov) and New Jersey Department of the Treasury (https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation)
The American Rescue Plan Act ($1.9 trillion) – March 11, 2021
- Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers –
  - Requires USDA to make payments of 120% of outstanding loans as of January 1, 2021 to socially disadvantaged farmers.
  - $1.01 billion in outreach, training, education, technical assistance, grants and loans, and funding to educational institutions to help land access to socially disadvantaged farmers.
- Nutrition assistance to millions through additional funding for nutrition assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, school lunch programs, senior nutrition, nutrition assistance for the territories).
- Supporting farmers and strengthening the food supply chain.
  - Increases food available for distribution through food banks, nonprofits, or restaurants to help feed families in need and at the same time supports farmers by purchasing their products.
  - Provides grants and loans to reimburse or purchase personal protective equipment, test kits, and other measures to keep essential food workers safe.
  - Invests in infrastructure and retooling support for food processors, farmers markets, food banks, local food systems, and producers to build resiliency in the food supply for the long term.
  - Funds the monitoring of COVID-19 in animals and reduces overtime inspection fees paid by small meat and poultry processors, supporting livestock and animal health.
- Strengthening infrastructure, housing, and health care in rural America.
  - $500 million in Community Facility Program funds to help rural hospitals and local communities broaden access to COVID-19 vaccines & food assistance.
  - $100 million through September 2022 in rental assistance for low-income and elderly borrowers.
  - $39 million through September 2023 to help refinance direct loans under the Single-Family Housing Loan Program and the Single-Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants.
  - Investments into rural communities by expanding internet connectivity and establishing a homeowner assistance fund to assist struggling homeowners with mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance, utilities, and other housing related costs.
- PPP Extension Act of 2021
  - Passed the House March 18, 2021. Still needs to go through Senate and to the President before it becomes law.
  - This bill extends by 60 days the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), through June 30, 2021. Currently, the program is set to expire on March 31, 2021.
  - For the final 30 days of the program (i.e., from June 1 until June 30), the Small Business Administration may only process applications submitted prior to June 1, and it may not accept any new loan applications.
  - The revised formula, introduced in an interim final rule March 3, allows Schedule C filers to use gross income instead of net profit in calculating the maximum amount they can receive in a PPP loan. Because many Schedule C filers report little, if any, net profit, they can qualify for significantly larger PPP loans using gross income in the formula.
  - The formula change does not make the change retroactive and allow Schedule C filers who received PPP loans based on the old formula to apply for the difference between what they received and what they could have received using gross income instead of net profit.
  - If I file a 1040 using Schedule F, can I get a PPP loan?
  - Yes, if your farm or ranch meets the size standards set by the SBA:
  - Farmers who fill a Schedule F were eligible for a PPP loan if:
    - Their business meets SBA’s “alternative size standard.” The “alternative size standard” is currently: (1) maximum net worth of the business is not more than $15 million, and (2) the average net income after Federal income taxes (excluding any carry-over losses) of the business for the two full fiscal years before the date of the application is not more than $5 million. For all of these criteria, the applicant must include its affiliates in its calculations.

The PPP Extension Act of 2021 is not yet law but can be very beneficial for farmers. My suggestion is to consult with your professional tax advisor, pay taxes that are due, but do not file until we see if the PPP Extension Act of 2021 becomes law.

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA https://www.sba.gov) has FAQs that are constantly being updated to explain these programs and can be very useful for you and your tax advisor.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Uncategorized, Vegetable Crops

March 17, 2021 Megan Muehlbauer