For growers interested in using these products on Early/Mid-Season apple varieties, now is the time to consider applying them. Think high value varieties such as early season Honeycrisp. As apples mature they produce the hormone ethylene. Ethylene induces stem loosening which results in pre-harvest drop of apples. Luckily there are several tools that when applied […]
Continue reading...August 15, 2025 Megan Muehlbauer and Janine Spies
Pre-Harvest Drop Control and Harvest Management for Apples
Don’t Forget Financial Assistance for Food Safety Certification and Training Available
This is the chance for eligible fresh fruit and vegetable growers to recover some of their expenses for implementing food safety practices on their farms. For 2025: Application is due between January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026 Eligible expenses must be between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025 Eligible specialty crop operations can […]
Continue reading...August 14, 2025 Tess Stahl
Upcoming NJDA Poultry Webinar
Upcoming Webinar: “For the Birds! Health Concerns of Poultry and How to Keep Them Safe” Join the New Jersey Department of Agriculture for a free virtual webinar focused on the health and safety of backyard poultry flocks. Learn about common poultry health issues, like avian influenza, and discover practical steps to protect your birds. The […]
Continue reading...August 14, 2025 Andy Wyenandt
Public Update on Research Progress with Sweet Basil to Strengthen Disease Resistance & Develop New Varieties Meeting Growers and Consumer Needs
Rutgers University in concert with University of Massachusetts, University of Florida and Bar Ilan University have been working together on the USDA funded grant “Investigating the genetic basis of downy mildew and bacterial leaf spot resistance in basil (Ocimum spp.) using advanced genomic techniques”. Our researcher and collaborators will be meeting Tuesday, August 26, 2025 on […]
Continue reading...Fruit IPM Report August 12, 2025
Peach: Oriental Fruit Moth: A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/2 in southern counties, and on 4/17 in northern counties. The third generation timings are over in all regions. Additional treatments should be made if trap captures are over 6 moths per trap. Insecticide Type County/Region Degree Days by 8/11 base 45 Conventional […]
Continue reading...August 11, 2025 Hemant Gohil and Daniel Ward
Early August Peach Varieties for New Jersey – New and Standard
August is National Peach Month! No wonder many high-quality peach varieties are ripening during this month. Understanding these varieties’ tree and fruit characteristics in New Jersey conditions can help make planting, replanting, and harvest-related decisions. Table 1 describes the physical and chemical properties of some new and standard, early August peach varieties evaluated at RAREC […]
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