This Week's IPM Weekly Update
This week's edition of the Pennsylvania Vegetable IPM Weekly Update contains the first sweet corn insect pest trapping report for 2022 and the Vegetable Diseases Update. See this week's issue here.
Growers who wish to receive the IPM Weekly Update directly by email on Wednesday or Thursday when it is published should contact PVGA at pvga@pvga.org
Next Berry Growers Info Exchange is June 27th
PVGA is continuing to host a periodic get-together for berry growers. During the summer months, these "Info Exchanges" will be twice a month on the following dates: June 27th, July 11, July 25, August 8 and August 22, all at 8:00 p.m. Meetings are designed to give growers a chance to get time-sensitive updates on current issues from state and regional extension personnel, exchange info with other growers, get answers to their questions, or just listen in or bounce thoughts off of others. Kathy Demchak is the host.
Calls are open to PVGA members and non-members to maximize information exchange, so spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors to join.
The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83077021881
The call-in numbers are (be aware that this is not a toll-free call):
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC).
The meeting ID is 830 7702 1881
If you have questions, contact us at pvga@pvga.org or 717-694-3596.
USDA Extends Comment Deadline on Fertilizer Costs, Supply
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is again extending the deadline for comments and information from the public about its “Access to Fertilizer: Competition and Supply Chain Concerns.” The notice was originally published in the Federal Register on March 17. The new deadline for comments is July 15, and the previous deadlines for comments were May 16 and June 15, 2022.
“We are extending the deadline for comments an additional month to enable commenters to provide additional feedback regarding the role of capacity expansion and related strategies to directly enhance competition in the fertilizer market,” Andy Green, USDA’s senior advisor for fair and competitive markets, said in a news release. “USDA is committed to using every tool at its disposal to enhance competition and improve resiliency in the fertilizer market.” See more here.
EPA Expands Fungicide’s Crop and Disease Uses
The Environmental Protection Agency has approved the expanded crop and disease uses of ProBlad Verde fungicide from Sym-Agro, Visalia, California. ProBlad is now registered for use on cane berries, herbs, coffee, leafy greens and Brassica leafy greens for the management of disease. The targeted disease range has been expanded to include coffee leaf rust, white mold, gray mold, powdery mildew, anthracnose, blueberry leaf rust, septoria, rhizopus, phomopsis mucor and more.
ProBlad Verde is an innovative new organic biocontrol that leverages the naturally occurring BLAD polypeptide for a never-seen-before, multi-site mode of action that controls fungal and bacterial diseases. See more here.
Fruit Set and Fruit Carry in Cucurbit Vine Crops
Watermelons and cantaloupes are setting fruit, pickle harvest is underway, summer squash is in full production and pumpkin planting is finishing up. With the many rainy days as well as high winds and storm damage this season, fruit loads in some early planted vine crops has been affected and higher numbers of quality defects are evident.
Lack of fruit set can result from a lack of pollination due to reduced bee activity, reduced pollen viability, or reduced pollen germination in high heat. As an example, a female watermelon flower will need around 500-1000 pollen grains to be fertilized effectively. This will require a minimum of 8 visits by a honey bee. Research has shown that over 20 visits may be required to achieve full set and full size in some cucurbits. See more here.
USDA Aid Set Aside for On-Farm Food Safety Expenses
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the USDA plans to provide up to $200 million in assistance for specialty crop producers who incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses to obtain or renew a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 or 2023. USDA’s new Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program will help to offset costs for specialty crop producers to comply with regulatory requirements and market-driven food safety certification requirements, which is part of USDA’s broader effort to transform the food system to create a more level playing field for small and medium producers and a more balanced, equitable economy for everyone working in food and agriculture.
Specialty crop operations can apply for assistance for eligible expenses related to a 2022 food safety certificate issued on or after June 21, 2022, beginning June 27, 2022. USDA is delivering FSCSC to provide critical assistance for specialty crop operations, with an emphasis on equity in program delivery while building on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions. See more here.
What Are the Easiest Vegetable Crops to Grow? Chew on This Top 10 List
Farming is not easy. Far from it — to put things bluntly. The arduous work that goes into producing and harvesting quality food crops is constant. Some crops though might be a little easier to handle, depending who you ask.
According to a list compiled by the finance and investment site Insider Monkey, those looking to get into ag should consider hedging their bets with what it calls the “10 Easiest Farm Crops to Grow.” The authors used several factors to create the list, including seasons, growth rate, yield, popularity, etc. “We also scoured various websites to check on how frequently each of these crops is mentioned as the easiest. Knowing the general consensus can help us accurately rank the easiest farm crops to grow.” See more here.
Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus in Tomatoes
A few high tunnels and even a couple of tomato fields have been found with tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in Maryland. The high tunnel finds were not too suprising but the fields were, as we usually do not see field infections until much later into the season. TSWV has also been found in greenhouse and field production of cut flowers. So it appears this virus is more common this year than it usually is, most probably due to greater thrips populations being present in our greenhouse production areas.
Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is an obligate parasite, i.e., it must have a living host and must be moved from one plant to another by thrips or through cuttings or possibly seed. This disease can affect tomato and other Solanaceae crops as well as lettuce, beans and cucumber. TSWV may occur in the field but tends to affect greenhouse and high tunnel crops more severely. TSWV is transmitted most efficiently by Western flower thrips (WFT) (Frankliniella occidentalis), and less so by Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci), Tobacco thrips (Frankliniella fusca) and several other thrips species. It is not transmitted by Eastern flower thrips (Frankliniella tritici). See more here.
Selling Vegetables and Fruit to the Department of Defense
Produce growers looking for new markets can sell to the troops and their families. There are two avenues to reach this market:
- Selling to military base commissaries: Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA)
- Selling to troop dining facilities (DFAC): Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support Subsistence
DeCA operates about 240 commissaries across the globe. Commissaries not only sell groceries, but also household goods to military personal. DLA provides fresh fruit and vegetables to troop dining facilities and other non-Department of Defense customers. There are several levels of suppliers and vendors that supply both DeCA and DLA through governmental contracts. Prime vendors typically are the contract holders while subcontractors typically supply fresh produce to the prime vendors. See more here.
Federal Spending and Its Role in Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
There is a cadence in our society when it comes to problem-solving. We acknowledge the problem. We determine the cause(s) of the problem. We identify, prioritize and implement solutions. Then, the problem is (hopefully) solved.
We can agree that there is a pervasive and persistent fruit and vegetable consumption crisis — one made worse by COVID-19’s effect on nutrition security — in our country and around the world. In the U.S., at least eight out of 10 consumers are not eating the recommended amount of produce daily, with fruits and vegetables being consumed, on average, 5.8 and 7.5 times per week, respectively. Further, eating occasions fell by nearly 10 percent between 2004 and 2020. Clearly, there’s a problem.
We at PBH do not believe there’s one solution to the chronic under-consumption of fruits and vegetables. Rather, there must be a multi-sector, comprehensive approach to 1) bolster fruit and vegetable intake; 2) reverse fruit and vegetable consumption declines now and into the future; and 3) realize the health and wellbeing benefits of fruits and vegetables through intakes that more closely resemble dietary guidance recommendations. Stakeholders across all sectors — from farmers, shippers, and packers to retail and foodservice leaders, to public health officials to policy makers, to nutrition educators and health professionals — must work together to develop an integrated and comprehensive roadmap for improved fruit and vegetable consumption.
The recently released Fruit & Vegetable Gap Analysis, developed by PBH in partnership with Nutrition On Demand, examines the role of the public sector spending, specifically within the federal government. Our analysis revealed that:
- To meet Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations, consumers must eat fruits and vegetables more frequently and in greater quantities — approximately 2.5 cups more per day.
- The cost of fruit and vegetable under consumption in the U.S. was an alarming $98.2 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow to $137 billion by 2030. This is likely an underestimate.
See more here.
Pollen Supply and Sex Expression Affects Fruit Set in Cucurbits
Most cucurbit crops including cantaloupes, watermelons, squashes, pumpkins, and cucumbers produce separate male and female flowers (cantaloupes have some perfect flowers). The male flower produces the pollen that must be transferred to the female flower in adequate amounts to set fruit – male flowers must open in synchrony with female flowers and insect pollinators must be active to produce fruits.
Often, fruit set in cucurbits is poor early in the season. In zucchini, yellow squash and other summer squashes, male flowering may be delayed resulting in aborted fruit due to lack of pollen. In contrast, pumpkins that are over-fertilized with nitrogen will see excessive vine growth and delayed female flower formation. See more here.
Reminder to File Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Returns if 55,000 Pounds or Over
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) has recently fielded calls that PennDOT is rejecting renewal applications for farm-plated vehicles with registrations 55,000 pounds or over if the federal heavy highway vehicle use tax return (HVUT) form has not been filed. Owners of registered vehicles with a registered gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more, including registered farm vehicles, are required to file each year a federal HVUT return (Form 2290) with the IRS, regardless of whether the owner is required to pay tax on the vehicle.
Agricultural vehicles operated 7,500 miles or less during the HVUT’s tax year (July through June) are exempt from payment of tax, as well as other vehicles operated 5,000 miles or less during the tax year.
Many farmers will be able to complete their return by simply declaring that the truck will qualify for the mileage exemption. Pages 7-8 of the Instructions to Form 2290, which are included in the above link, outline how to claim the exemption. Form 2290 must be filed by the last day of the month following the month of first use. So, if a farmer first uses the heavy vehicle on the roadway in July, they would need to file form 2290 by August 31 of the following month.
From Farm Bureau Express, Penna. Farm Bureau, Jun3 24, 2022.
Preparing for Pepper Anthracnose in 2022
Pepper anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. has become a significant problem on some farms in southern New Jersey. Unlike in tomato, where symptoms are only present in mature (red) fruit, pepper anthracnose can infect pepper fruit at any growth stage. Currently, there are no commercially-available bell or non-bell peppers with known resistance to anthracnose.The pathogen overwinters, albeit, not very well on infected pepper fruit left in the field or on infected plant material at the end of the production season. Because pepper anthracnose does not overwinter very well, it always starts out as a ‘hot spot’ in the field and then fans out directionally with the prevailing direction of the wind and driving rain. Hot weather along isolated afternoon and evening showers are ideal conditions for anthracnose development. See more here.
USDA Invests up to $65M to Improve Domestic, H-2A Labor
President Biden joined leaders from across the Western Hemisphere to present the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection at the Summit of the Americas. The Declaration seeks to mobilize the entire region around strong actions to bring the historic migration crisis under control. The declaration is organized around three key pillars: (1) stabilization; (2) legal pathways and protections; and (3) humane migration management. In preparation for the Summit, the United States and other countries in the region developed a suit of bold new migration-related deliverables.
The full economic contribution of the food and agriculture industries is estimated to be nearly $7 trillion. The industries account for nearly one-fifth of the country’s economic activity, directly contributing $2.7 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product and supporting more than 40 million jobs[1]. The key to the success of these industries is millions of farmworkers. The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the importance of these workers and their contributions to our nation’s food security, and simultaneously highlighted challenges of labor instability, irregular migration, and the need for increased labor protections in order to increase the resiliency of our food system and supply chain.
To address these challenges, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in coordination with the other federal agencies will develop a pilot program utilizing up to $65 million in American Rescue Plan funding to provide support for agricultural employers in implementing robust health and safety standards to promote a safe, healthy work environment for both U.S. workers and workers hired from Northern Central American countries under the seasonal H-2A visa program. See more here.
USDA Reminds Pennsylvania Producers to File Crop Acreage Reports
Agricultural producers in Pennsylvania who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after planting should make an appointment with their U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) service center before the applicable deadline.
“Many USDA programs require producers to file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said Heidi Secord, State Executive Director in Pennsylvania. “Once planting is complete, call your local FSA office to make an appointment to report your acreage. Our FSA staff can assist producers in completing acreage reports, including providing maps.”
An acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch and its intended uses. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, can prevent the loss of benefits. See more here.
Winter Honeybees Show Resistance to Common Insecticide
Winter honeybees, compared to newly emerged summer bees, have a better ability to withstand the harmful effects of a widely-used insecticide in pest management, according to a recent study published in Apidologie.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) researchers from the Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, found winter honeybees’ consumption of a nearly lethal, imidacloprid-laced syrup did not affect their survival during the study. See more here.
Flower Shape Might Be a Big Player When It Comes to Pollinator Health
North Carolina State University researchers have found the shape of flowers has the biggest effect on how parasites are transmitted to bees. The findings could help stakeholders plant flowers that are less likely to spread parasites in pollinator habitats.
The researchers examined the common eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) and a gut parasite called Crithidia bombi to study how floral traits – like the size and shape of flowers or number of flowers – played roles in three steps that lead to parasite transmission to bees on flowers: fecal deposition on flowers, parasite survival on flowers, and acquisition of the parasite by a new bee host. Parasite spread has been implicated as a major driver of bee population decline.
“Of the flower traits we measured, floral shape was the best predictor of parasite transmission to bees,” says Mario Simon Pinilla-Gallego, a former Ph.D. student in the Department of Applied Ecology at NC State and co-corresponding author of a paper describing the research, published in the journal Ecology. See more here.
Inflationary Levels in Fresh Produce Stabilize in May 2022
The height, the widespread nature and the continued acceleration of inflation dominated the headlines in May. Whether in the grocery store, at the pump or at the movies, consumers were paying more. “But the focus on inflation is not limited to the media headlines,” said Jonna Parker, team lead of the Fresh Foods practice at IRI. “According to the May edition of the IRI monthly survey of primary shoppers, consumers are extremely aware and many are applying lessons learned during the Great Recession to tighten spending.”
“Compared with the fall of 2021, inflation is higher, more people are making changes and the supply chain challenges from labels to packaging to transportation and labor continue to be significant,” said Joe Watson, VP, Retail, Foodservice & Wholesale for the International Fresh Produce Association. “The consumer reactions combined with supply side volatility are creating an environment of continued change and uncertainty and IRI, 210 Analytics and IFPA are committed to bringing the latest trends and analysis relative to the produce department.” See more here.
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