Plant & Pest Advisory

Rutgers University | New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station | Pesticide User Responsibility

December 22, 2015 Rick VanVranken

Hobby UAS (Drones) – New FAA Registration Requirements

Officially, they’re Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), but these days most folks call them drones. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) opened a new mandatory registration system for hobby/recreational UAS this week, just in time for the millions of new UAS they expect will be found under Christmas trees. If you’re anticipating such a package, be aware […]

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates

December 4, 2015 Steven K. Rettke

Primer: Landscape Dormant Oil Applications & Target Pests

In New Jersey, dormant oils (3-4%) are typically applied during March & April. However, many landscapers also apply dormant oils during the late fall months. Dormant oils have proven to be an effective material against a wide range of insect/mite pests & their eggs. Typical landscape pests targeted include spruce spider mites/eggs, southern red spider […]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf

December 1, 2015 Hemant Gohil

Cool Climate Chardonnay Clones

From The New Jersey Center for Wine Research and Education This month, Hemant Gohil, Gary Pavlis, and Daniel Ward discuss the origin of Chardonnay and name clones appropriate for cool climates. According to a 2015 survey by Sonoma State University, Chardonnay is the favorite varietal of American wine consumers. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Wine Grape

November 24, 2015 Meredith Melendez

FSMA Produce Safety Rule Now Final

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety rule is now final, and the earliest compliance dates for some farms begin one year after the effective date of the final rule (see “Compliance Dates” below). The rule establishes, for the first time, science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of […]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops

November 16, 2015 Meredith Melendez

On Farm Food Safety Winter Trainings Announced

On-farm food safety trainings will be held this winter throughout the state. Certificate based third party audit trainings will be offered in Rosenhayn and Chatsworth. Three additional trainings, located in Atlantic City, Trenton and Pittstown, will offer the required curriculum for compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act. More information on who will need to comply with FSMA to be published soon, as the […]

Filed Under: Blueberry, Food Safety, Fruit, Tree Fruit, Vegetable Crops

November 8, 2015 Steven K. Rettke

Why Do Spruce Trees Show Interior Needle Discoloration?

Occasionally, observations of White Spruce (Picea glauca) or Colorado Spruce (Picea pungens) within landscapes, nurseries, & Christmas tree farms will show current needle growth having a blue or blue-green color, but with older, inner needles having lost the desirable color and turning pale or even yellow. Although sometimes seen on Norway Spruce, these symptoms are most common […]

Filed Under: Landscape, Nursery, & Turf