Old Pepper Fields and Disease Spread

- Wes Kline
Transplanting time is here and there are still pepper fields standing from last year. This makes no sense if you are concerned about disease management in 2013.

These fields are ideal sources for Anthracnose, bacterial blight and Phytophthora. You may not be concerned about your peppers getting disease, but what about your downwind neighbors? Anthracnose has increased over the last few years. Is it because fields are left standing too long after harvest? There is no doubt that this can contribute to disease spread. If a new field of peppers is planted downwind from the old field, be ready to spend a lot of money spraying when it could have been avoided.

Aphid Populations Around Tunnels

High tunnel growers should be checking outside the tunnels for aphids even with low temperatures.  High aphid numbers have been observed in thistle plants around tunnels in South Jersey.

Submitted by - Wesley Kline, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cumberland County

Cool Spring Conditions Could Mean Seed Corn Maggots in Cucurbits

By Michelle Infante-Casella, Agricultural Agent, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, Gloucester County

Seed corn maggots survive through winter in dark brown capsules underground. Flies emerge out of soil March or April in New Jersey and can have several generations.
One benefit of this spring, in 2013, is conditions have been drier, with less rainfall, than in past cooler spring seasons. Along with cool weather, this pest thrives under wet conditions too. When the weather is dry, eggs and maggots can desicate to the point of mortality.

Seed corn maggots are pests of beans, peas, cucumbers, squash, melons and corn. They rarely affect pumpkin fields since pumpkins are seeded when soil and air temperatures are warmer and the populations of this pest have declined.

Food Safety for Direct Market Growers

This week on the Farm Food Safety Blog, Meredith Melendez talks about Food Safety Considerations for Direct Market Growers: Assessing Risk.

Sign up to get email delivery of important food safety information specifically for growers: RCE PPA Food Safety News

• Read summaries of the latest FDA Q & A presentations on the Food Safety Modernization Act proposed Produce Safety Rule
• Ask Wes Kline and Meredith Melendez a Farm Food Safety Question 
• Learn how to create your Farm Food Safety Plan

[posted by Rabin]

Upcoming Weather and Vegetable Transplants in the Greenhouse

Posted by, Michelle Infante-Casella, Agricultural Agent, Gloucester County

Finally!!! Some warmer and sunnier weather is predicted for the coming week. Since many of our crops are still in the greenhouse keep in mind some things to watch for. On hot, sunny days when fans are running and doors/sides may be open, plants dry out quickly (especially near the doors/sides and near the fans). Proper watering is of utmost importance! Remember, the larger the plant, the more water lost through translocation. The smaller the container size, the quicker the mix will dry out. Morning watering may need to be supplemented by a second watering later in the day. Make sure not to water late in the day/evening when plant foliage would remain wet. Water early enough in the P.M. so that leaves can dry off quickly. Letting foliage stay wet overnight can enhance bacterial or fungal growth on plants.

Don't forget to check for insect pests, especially aphids. Now that doors/sides may be open to vent houses, insects can enter too. Scout edges of the greenhouse frequently to check for insects. They would come into these areas first. If weeds are growing near edges of the greenhouse, they may be harboring insect pests. Do not use herbicides inside, or near the sides/doorways of the greenhouse. You can severly damage transplants inside the greenhouse, even if they are used outside. Vapors/drift can enter the greenhouse. One way to control weeds could be to use a weed flamer. Do a search on the web for companies that sell flamers. There are many hand held versions with propane tanks that can be used to control weeds. Just be careful not to melt plastic on the greenhouse. Also, mechanical methods (hoeing, pulling, roto-tilling around the outside is a viable option).

Spring is here! Best wishes to everyone for a successful, safe and profitable growing season!

Marketing Seminar for Food Entrepreneurs

This 2 day seminar presents the basics of marketing and communications for current and prospective food business owners.

Date: April 24 and 25, 2013
Location: Rutgers Food Innovation Center, Bridgeton, NJ
Contact: Diane Holtaway holtaway@njaes.rutgers.edu

Topics include marketing products to retailers, media relations, digital marketing, trade show and events, packaging and labeling, visual merchandising, food service marketing, social media, website development, and content marketing.

-- Submitted by Rick VanVranken

FDA Proposed Produce Food Safety Rule Q & A - Exemptions

- Meredith Melendez

The first FDA Proposed Produce Food Safety Rule Q & A conference call, coordinated by the Produce Safety Alliance, was held yesterday.  This conference call focused on exemptions to the proposed rule.  Here are the highlights of yesterday’s conference call:

1. How are average annual sales for a farm calculated?
2. Farm Facility (Packinghouse) Registration, are farms exempt?
3. At what point does the FDA Preventative Controls rule apply to a farm?
4. Are there any exemptions to the labeling of product to be sold?