Palmer Amaranth: ID and Management at Harvest
Palmer amaranth is a formidable weed from the Southwest that’s gaining ground in New Jersey soybean fields (Photo 1). The challenge in managing palmer amaranth is the plant’s ability to develop resistance to herbicides; populations across the United States have developed resistance to eight herbicide groups (i.e. modes of action) with individual populations commonly resistant […]
Desperately Seeking Pesticide Credits?
If your pesticide applicators license expires on October 31, 2021, there are only a few days left to earn the continuing education units (CEUs) you need to maintain your license. Information on how to check the status of your license and CEUs is included at the bottom of this post. Be aware that 100% of […]
You’ve Been Drafted: Scout Your Fields for Fall Armyworm
Entomologists throughout the region have sounded the alarm – the fall armyworm population has reached outbreak level this year. Severe damage was reported in New York where armyworm larvae defoliated 50-acres of alfalfa, seemingly overnight. Significant damage to lawns and managed turfgrass has been observed in neighboring states. Fall armyworm is a caterpillar pest of […]
2022 Census of Ag on the Horizon – Every Farm Counts!
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service will conduct the next Census of Agriculture in 2022. Why participate? The Census is the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial data on land use, operator characteristics, production practices, income, and expenditures of U.S. agriculture. Statistics from these data demonstrate the value of agriculture in this country and […]
Preventative Steps to Limit Incidence of Soil-Borne Diseases of Pumpkin in 2022 and Beyond
Greater incidence of Phytophthora fruit rot as a result of this year’s extreme rain events was pointed out in a recent publication of the weekly Vegetable IPM update found on the Plant and Pest Advisory. The minimum 3-4-year crop rotation schedule recommended to reduce incidence of Phytophthora and other soil-borne diseases of pumpkin like fusarium, […]
Cover Crop Seed Germination Testing: Two Options
Cover cropping season is in full swing. As you harvest your summer crops and shift your focus to winter cover, you may be interested in seed germination testing for cover crop seed. If you’re looking for a quick and easy germination test you can do at home, check out this bulletin from University of Maine. […]
NE-SARE Farmer Grant Program Deadline Approaches
The deadline to submit proposals for the Farmer Grant Program offered by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (NE-SARE) is Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at 5 p.m. Farmers with an innovative idea can seek financial support from the Farmer Grant Program to conduct a field trial, on-farm demonstration, marketing initiative, or other technique. […]
Farm Call: Struggling Soybeans
In July, a farmer called about a soybean field planted 5 weeks earlier seemingly stuck at the V2-V3 stage. Planning for a post emergence herbicide application was underway and the farmer wanted advice if anything could be done to help the beans such as additional fertilizer, a fungicide, or an insecticide. Would the better decision […]
Residue Retention – How Did You Do?
Conservation tillage practices allow crop residue to persist on the soil surface, minimizing winter erosion. The goal is to retain 30% or more soil coverage at planting (Figure 1) which, in turn, keeps nutrients on the farm, protects water quality, and preserves soil health. The amount of surface residue retained at planting is directly […]
Planting Green
Have you heard of “planting green”? Planting green is the practice of planting your cash crop directly into a living cover crop – typically field corn or soybeans into fall-seeded cereal rye – and it’s a practice growing in popularity. Planting green was the topic of a moderated session at the Northeast Cover Crops Council […]
