We apologize that this week's Update is late.
2022 PA Vegetable and Berry Current Issues for May 16
After experiencing significant rain and cooler temperatures across much of the state last week, the return of the sun and warmer temperatures this week was a welcome change and enabled field preparation for the 2022 season to continue.
However, delays in planting are leading to overgrown transplants for both the field and for sale, and frost damage is a common sight on sensitive crops like strawberry. The cooler weather also results in reported damping-off in some crops like melon. See more here.
Specialty Crop, Commodity Growers Eligible for $6B in Disaster Relief
The U. S Department of Agriculture announced May 16 that commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2020 and 2021 will soon begin receiving emergency relief payments totaling approximately $6 billion.
The funding will come through the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) new Emergency Relief Program (ERP) to offset crop yield and value losses.
“For over two years, farmers and ranchers across the country have been hard hit by an ongoing pandemic coupled with more frequent and catastrophic natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. See more here.
3 Cool Cucumber Varieties
Compare these varieties disease resistances, regions, and other features to find the right one for you. See more here.
Poor Stands and Plant Vigor in Fresh Market Sweet Corn
Growers are reporting issues with stands and vigor in sweet corn fields in 2022, especially in early planted fields. There can be many causes for stand loss and weak seedlings: surface compaction and crusting, birds, soil insects, slugs, cold soils that delay emergence, soil diseases affecting seeds or seedlings, wet soils, fertilizer injury, deep planting, and herbicide injury are just a few examples. We also have had losses in 2022 due to sand blasting. See more here.
Seedcorn maggot damage to sweet corn in 2022 has been heavier than in previous years. David Owens, UD Extension Entomologist recorded a YouTube video discussing seedcorn maggot which can be accessed here:
H-2A Temporary Ag Worker Demand Surges
Recently released data from the U.S. Department of Labor reflects surging demand for temporary agricultural employees under the H-2A program. DOL data for the first two quarters of Fiscal Year 2022 indicate that program applications increased 17.5% over the previous Fiscal Year. At the same time, the total number of jobs certified by DOL’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification for the same period jumped 16.5% to 193,273, for the first two quarters.
“Similar to other sectors of the U.S. economy, agricultural employers face an exceptional shortage of workers as America recovers from the pandemic,” said Michael Marsh, president and CEO of NCAE. “Farm and ranch families need help filling these good paying temporary jobs that, on average, pay more than twice the federal minimum wage. See more here.
Sunburn on Vegetable Leaves
I know it may seem odd to see an article about sunburn on leaves with the week of overcast rainy skies we have had, but pictures of damage to crops came in the last few days after some bright but brief sunshine. Plant leaves turning a papery white or tan can indicate sunburn or sunscald on plants (Figs. 1 and 2). These symptoms on vegetable plants also can be caused at times by cold or wind damage as discussed by Gordon Johnson in a previous article. Sunscald on plants can occur when plants are set in the field after coming straight out of the greenhouse or off the trailer without being thoroughly hardened off. See more here.
Rupp Seeds Makes Commitment to Focus Squarely on Vegetables
Ohio-based Rupp Seeds recently sold its grain and forage seed business to Rob-See-Co, of Elkhorn, NE. This divestment provides Rupp Seeds the opportunity to focus its investments and research efforts entirely on their vegetable seeds business.
“I’m excited to focus on vegetable seeds going forward,” says Philip Rupp, Rupp Seeds President. “We have great opportunity to expand our product line, our research and our support for commercial growers. For the grain and forage business, we’re excited for our dealers and employees as they continue with a like-minded business.” See more here.
Storm Damaged Vegetables
Several areas throughout Delmarva have been hit with violent storms producing heavy winds and/or hail. Damage to vegetable crops by severe wind and hail includes leaf defoliation, leaf tearing and shredding, stem breakage, stem bruising and wounding, loss of flowers and small fruit, and fruit bruising and wounding.
Effects of storm damage on vegetable crops and recovery of crops will depend on several factors including the type of vegetable, stage of growth, weather conditions immediately after storms, and prevalence of disease organisms. Continued hot, wet conditions after storm events pose the most risk by increasing disease incidence, particularly bacterial diseases. See more here.
Field Scouting Guide: Common Lambsquarters
It would be difficult to find a weed more pervasive than Chenopodium album. It’s a summer weed that springs up about the same time crop seedlings do and lasts all season. It will thrive in any nitrogen-rich soil if left untended and is very competitive with vegetable crops.
Many parts of the world embrace its resilience — some cultures cultivate it as a leafy green vegetable. And it’s related to quinoa, which is grown for its seeds. But until you decide you want to cultivate this plant, here is a guide on managing it as a weed, compiled from tips shared by Bernard Zandstra (Michigan State University) and Douglas Doohan (The Ohio State University). See more here.
New Plant Biostimulant Act Gains Strong Support from the Industry
The Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA) applauds the bipartisan introduction of the Plant Biostimulant Act of 2022 and thanks Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN) for sponsoring the bill.
The act amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to establish a consistent national definition for the new agricultural product category of “plant biostimulant” and specifically excludes such products, which are not pesticides, from FIFRA regulation. See more here.
PATS, Biobest Partnership Gives Growers Access to Scouting Tool
Thanks to an alliance with technology company PATS, Biobest’s portfolio of IPM solutions has gained a scouting tool. As of May 16, growers can take advantage of PATS-C, a system that detects real-time flying pests, such as moths, in the greenhouse. This data allows earlier and more accurate introduction of biological agents.
“To measure is to know,” said Sam Gui, market development manager, High Tech IPM at Biobest, in a news release. “The plug and play cameras from PATS provide information about when, where and how much moths are active in the greenhouse. It is completely automatic, requiring no staff, and can often provide data before the pests are detected visually – saving the growers time in their scouting program. See more here.
Internet-Based Precision Irrigation System Shows Promise for Fresh-Market Tomato
An “internet of things” — or IoT — system monitoring real-time data from soil-based sensors to activate an automated precision irrigation setup can conserve water and boost crop production, according to a team of Penn State researchers.
In a study involving fresh-market tomato production conducted at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, Centre County, the researchers demonstrated that a low-power, wide-area wireless network — called LoRaWAN — is a low-cost, easily implemented online arrangement effective for precision crop irrigation. The system, powered by batteries charged by solar panels, controlled the timing, rate and distribution of water. See more here.
The Benefits of Cover Crops When It Comes To Vineyard Design
Often folks planting their first vineyard in the Eastern U.S. want to get the vines planted ASAP … if not yesterday. I can understand their excitement. However, there is a research-based recommendation to get the groundcover in order before planting the vines.
I agree with this recommendation for more than one reason. In addition to the benefits of good groundcover, it will force folks to take an appropriate timeline in vineyard development. One of the cruel realities for new grape growers is the importance of decisions made in vineyard design and planting that happen when new grape growers have the least knowledge and experience with vineyard design and planting. See more here.
GLOBALG.A.P. Releases New Version, Schedules Webinars
GLOBALG.A.P. North America Inc. is releasing a new version and scheduling webinars to discuss the updated product range. The revised Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard Version 6 and the GLOBALG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practice (GRASP) add-on Version 2 represents the first implementation stage of the new smart farm assurance solutions vision, according to a news release. The new products offer streamlined, impact-driven and connected solutions for the entire sector. The launch was marked by a live online event that included pre-recorded content in English and Spanish. GLOBALG.A.P. plans a series of free smart farm assurance solutions webinars. See more here
| 
