Fruit Edition - Rutgers Plant and Pest Advisory

Letter from New Jersey Department of Agriculture concerning cyclospora

Wes Kline — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:04:35 +0000

There have been several reports concerning Cyclospora in the news lately and the NJDA and Rutgers Cooperative Extension wanted to update growers as to the status in New Jersey. Below is a statement from NJDA.

Dear New Jersey Residents and Consumers,

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture wants to emphasize that no produce coming from New Jersey farms has been linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak. To date, no New Jersey-grown produce has been identified as a source of cyclosporiasis cases. National and New Jersey health officials and experts are continuing to investigate the outbreak and monitor any cases.

Our Jersey Fresh farmers meet the high-quality standards imposed not only by their own compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) but also with the quality-grading standards of the Jersey Fresh program.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture will continue keeping the public informed about any produce categories grown in New Jersey that have been identified by health experts as being a risk.

To help protect against cyclosporiasis and other foodborne illnesses, NJDOH and NJDA recommend:

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing fresh fruits and vegetables.
Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water, even if you plan to peel them.
Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing or eating.
Refrigerate cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables promptly.

Edward D. Wengryn

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture

Fruit IPM Report Week of 7/6/2026

Janine Spies — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 03:20:48 +0000

Apples

Diseases

Hot, humid weather will increase the risk of fruit rots, including white rot, bitter rot, black rot, sooty blotch, and flyspeck. Bitter rot symptoms have been observed in southern and northern NJ counties.
There is likely to be significant shoot vigor this growing season if there is little to no crop load. Cultural control practices will help to address excessive growth and minimize impact from disease in orchards: prune for improved air circulation, thin fruit clusters to reduce humidity and inoculum buildup, and cut out cankers that serve as inoculum sources.
Broad-spectrum fungicides, such as captan and ziram, are effective. Captan alone may not adequately suppress severe summer disease pressure. Adding single-site products such as Merivon, Luna Sensation, Pristine, Omega, and Aprovia may improve control. The addition of phosphonate products such as ProPhyt or Rampart to captan sprays can improve control of rots and other summer diseases, including sooty blotch and flyspeck.
Where fire blight is present, it is appropriate to prune out infected shoots. Do not cut out infections during wet weather, as bacteria can spread through water. The recommendation is to cut back to last year’s growth, at least 12” back into healthy tissue, and to sterilize pruners between cuttings.
Maintain coverage of captan, manzate, or ziram before rain events through the growing season according to the cover spray rule of applications every 2” of rain or 14 days, whichever comes first, to reduce the spread of foliar diseases, including Marssonina Blotch, Glomerella Leaf Spot, and Frogeye Leaf Spot. Foliar diseases can contribute to inoculum build-up in the orchard and significant defoliation of the canopy if left untreated.

Insect Update

Codling Moth (CM): On average, trap captures remain low for the second generation of codling moth in orchards. Consider management if >5 moths are caught per trap.

	Codling Moth Degree Day Timing – Second Generation
		Application and Insecticide Type
County Area	Biofix	Rimon: 75-100DD + 14-17 days later		Intrepid 1150 + 1450 DD Diamides – Altacor, Voliam mixes: (150-200 DD)		Madex 1250 DD + every 7-9 days during brood hatch (later if first spray is an IGR)	Standard Insecticides -  Delegate, Avaunt, OP’s, carbamates, pyrethroids 1250 DD + 1550 DD
DD				1150	1450	1250	1250	1550
Southern	April 20	N/A	N/A	past	past	past	past	7/13
Northern	May 5	N/A	N/A	past	7/14	past	past	7/17

Scale: Crawlers continue to be active; however, on average activity has decreased. Control options during crawler emergence include Neonicotinoids (suppression only), Sivanto, Esteem, and Centaur. See also the scale discussion under the peach section.

Woolly Apple Aphid (WAA); Green Apple (Spirea) Aphids (GAA): Populations on average remain below treatment levels. A treatment threshold is set at 50% of the terminals infested with live colonies. Predation by lady beetles and other predators and parasitoids has been observed and can help to maintain pest populations below damaging thresholds. Scout in known hotspots for WAA colonies now. Minimize use of pyrethroids to manage insect pests that can knock down beneficial organisms and predators. Research from Dr. Monique Rivera at Cornell University has demonstrated good control from Sefina for WAA in late summer.

Potato leafhopper (PLH): Where adults and nymphs are present, consider treatment particularly on young, non-bearing fruit trees. The preferred materials for leafhopper control include Actara, Admire, Assail, Belay, Endigo, and Voliam Flexi.

Dogwood borer: Moth captures in pheromone traps continue to decrease. If trap captures continue to be high in your orchard blocks, consider a coarse trunk application of Assail before August. 

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Southern Counties

Week	STLM	TABM	CM	OFM	DWB	AMBROSIA BEETLE	BMSB
5/11/2026	18	11	6	3	25	2	–
5/18/2026	16	21	3	10	54	13	–
5/25/2026	1.3	23	2	2	71	7	–
6/1/2026	378	33	3	2	49	6	0.4
6/8/2026	258	11	2	1	61	21	1.2
6/15/2026	355	4	0.6	1.5	57	13	0.8
6/22/2026	178	5	0.6	2	54	8	1.2
6/29/2026	504	0.3	0.1	0.5	27	12	0.8
7/6/2026	202	1.1	1.6	0.6	25	7.5	0.6

Average Trap Captures in Apple – Northern Counties

Week	STLM	TABM	CM	DWB	AMBROSIA BEETLE	BMSB
5/11/2026	13.7	1.5	1.8	12.8	1.1	–
5/18/2026	8.3	13.25	2.4	18.5	10.8	–
5/25/2026	2.2	13.75	1.2	24.5	5.1	–
6/1/2026	25.1	24.3	3.4	23.8	9.4	0.3
6/8/2026	94	22.3	0.3	24.6	18	1.4
6/15/2026	68	22.3	1	22.6	14	1.1
6/22/2026	105.9	35	0.7	27.2	8.2	0.5
6/29/2026	100	11.5	0.3	28.9	5.3	0.3
7/6/2026	50.2	7.3	0.6	26.4	5.2	0.2

Pears

Disease Management

Foliar diseases should be managed with Mancozeb or Ziram, plus a single-site fungicide, to maintain pressure and inoculum at low levels, protecting fruit and maintaining a healthy orchard going into the next season.

Where fire blight is present, it is appropriate to prune out infected shoots. Prune out strikes on dry, cooler days, cut back 8-12” back into healthy tissue, and sterilize pruners between cuts.

Insect Update

Pear psylla adult and egg stages are present in orchards where populations persist.

Options for control include Actara, Assail, and Belay (IRAC group 4A); Sivanto Prime (IRAC group 4D); Delegate (IRAC Group 5); and products containing abamectin (IRAC group 6). Other options include Movento (IRAC Group 23). The addition of 0.25-1 gal of summer oil may improve control. Avoid applying oil at high temperatures, and do not mix with captan. Be sure to read and follow the label instructions for adding penetrants to products.

Peaches

Disease Management

Brown rot is appearing in ripening fruit throughout the state. Highly effective rot materials such as DMI’s (FRAC group 3) and Strobilurins (FRAC group 11) should be applied beginning 3 – 4 weeks prior to harvest. See the NJ Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide for more information.

Bacterial spot infections occur anytime from petal fall until after harvest. To properly control fruit infection, sprays should be applied from petal fall until 15 days before harvest. Mycoshield, FireLine, and fixed-coppers have provided satisfactory disease control. Generally we recommend gradually lowering the rate as the season progresses. The rate applied will depend on the formulation. Dr. Lalancette published a chart listing common copper formulations and rates for peach and nectarine applications.

Insect Update

Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM): A biofix point for OFM was set on 4/2 for southern counties and 4/15 in northern counties. See below for timings for third generation. Consider treatment if trap captures are above threshold (>8 moths per trap).

OFM 3rd Generation Timing
		Insecticide Type
County/Region	Degree Days by  7/13 base 45	Conventional 2100-2200 2450-2500	Intrepid/Rimon 2000-2100 2350-2450	Diamides/Virus 2025-2150 2375-2450
Gloucester – Southern	2179	1st –7/11-7/13 2nd – 7/22-7/24	1st –past 2nd – 7/18-7/22	1st –7/8-7/12 2nd – 7/19-7/22
Middlesex – Northern	1984	1st – 7/16-7/19 2nd – too far off	1st – 7/14-7/16 2nd – too far off	1st – 7/15-7/17 2nd – too far off

Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetles have been observed feeding in orchards. Products containing imidacloprid (Admire Pro, Leverage 360) are effective and have a short preharvest interval.

Scale: Where crawlers are present and active, treatment options include Centaur, Sivanto, and neonicotinoids (for suppression only). Movento and Esteem should have been applied a week before or at the start of crawler emergence.

Tarnished plant bugs and other catfacing insects: Insects are active, but new fruit feeding injury has been minimal.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs: Brown Marmorated Stink bugs are present at low to moderate levels and numbers are increasing from previous weeks in orchards statewide. Eggs are hatching and nymphs are present. See the NJ Tree Fruit Production guide for effective materials.

Lesser and Greater Peach Tree Borers: Male moth captures in pheromone traps decreased in number from previous weeks. Mating disruption is recommended to maintain low populations in your orchards.

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Southern Counties

Week	OFM	TABM	LPTB	PTB	BMSB
5/11/2026	5	10	–	–	–
5/18/2026	4	20	–	–	–
5/25/2026	2	20	31	1	–
6/1/2026	4	46	28	3	0
6/8/2026	8	13	25	3	0.75
6/15/2026	5	6	13	3	0.75
6/22/2026	6	4	23	7	1
6/29/2026	3	0.2	16	6	2
7/6/2026	5	0.6	16	4	1.3

Average Trap Captures in Peach – Northern Counties

Week	OFM	LPTB	PTB
5/11/2026	4.4	24	0
5/18/2026	2.4	16.5	0.2
5/25/2026	0.7	8.75	0.1
6/1/2026	1.8	11	0.5
6/8/2026	0.6	8.5	0.05
6/15/2026	3.5	9.7	1.2
6/22/2026	3.4	7.4	1.6
6/29/2026	2	4.6	1.1
7/6/2026	1.7	8.5	1.8

Blueberries

Insect Update

Scouting was conducted last week across 105 conventional and organic blueberry fields in Burlington and Atlantic Counties.

Monitoring of developing fruit indicated an overall decline in pest activity, including feeding and/or oviposition by leafrollers, plum curculio, and cherry and cranberry fruitworms.

Aphid populations have declined substantially compared with previous weeks, likely due to recent weather conditions and the hardening of new shoot growth, which has reduced the availability of suitable feeding sites.

Spotted-wing drosophila trap counts decreased in Atlantic County but increased in Burlington County. In fields where harvesting is still ongoing, spotted-wing drosophila remains the primary target for insecticide applications (Table 1).

Blueberry maggot activity has been increasing in the last two weeks (Table 1), likely due to reduced insecticide applications in fields where traps are located and where harvest has been completed for the monitored varieties.

Table 1. Spotted-Wing Drosophila and Blueberry Maggot traps

	Spotted-Wing Drosophila				Blueberry Maggot
	Atlantic County		Burlington County		Atlantic County		Burlington County
	Avg	High	Avg	High	Avg	High	Avg	High
6/6	8.99	35	2.86	7	0.03	1	0	0
6/12	9.9	46	3.7	25	0	0	0	0
6/20	10.24	48	8.22	35	0	0	0	0
6/27	6.96	78	3.6	18	0	0	0	0
7/3	29.78	273	50.9	81	0.33	27	0	0
7/10	31.2	130	86.1	177	0.15	12	0	0

Sharp-nosed leafhopper trap counts remain low (Table 2).

Oriental beetle adults are actively in flight (Table 2).

Table 2. Sharp-nosed Leafhopper and Oriental Beetle Traps

	Sharp-nosed Leafhopper				Oriental Beetle
	Atlantic County		Burlington County		Atlantic County		Burlington County
	Avg	High	Avg	High	Avg	High	Avg	High
6/6	1.42	16	1.25	7	5.78	35	2.57	14
6/12	0.56	12	4.8	46	62	340	47	170
6/20	0.88	6	1.44	12	411	2025	403	2025
6/27	0.77	9	0.37	2	243	2025	458	2025
7/3	1.5	15	0.55	2	466.7	2025	182.7	510
7/10	1.40	14	0.33	2	396	1970	393	2025

Scale crawler activity on average has decreased slightly from previous weeks (Table 3). Scale infestations on fruit, on average, remain low (Table 4).

Table 3. Scale Traps

	Putnam Scale		Terrapin Scale
	Avg	High	Avg	High
5/23	36.85	230	1.8	8
5/29	65.17	352	21.2	41
6/6	136.25	402	75.25	84
6/12	164	639	96	202
6/20	102	288	85	167
6/27	45	193	32	119
7/3	41.7	315	27.5	46
7/10	16.26	74	24.6	61

Table 4. Scale Infestation on Fruit

	Scale % infestation on fruit
	Avg	High
6/12	0.13	2.1
6/20	0.19	5.7
6/27	0.06	1.5
7/3	0.06	1.8
7/10	0.07	3.1

Diseases

The IPM team continues to observe anthracnose in fields where fruit has not yet been harvested.

The IPM team is also likely observing an increase in Alternaria fruit rot due to the increased use of mechanical harvesters. For fungicide recommendations, please refer to the Rutgers Blueberry Commercial Production Guide or https://extension.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/2026-03/bb-v42n01.pdf

	% Mummy Berry Infested Fruit		% Anthracnose Infested Fruit		% Alternaria Infested Fruit
	Avg	High	Avg	High	Avg	High
6/20	0.03	0.9	0.06	2.5	0.004	0.7
6/27	0.007	0.3	0.08	2.2	0.07	3
7/3	0.005	0.2	0.227	4.1	0.07	1.2
7/10	0.002	0.1	0.20	2.5	0.13	3

For blueberry production and management recommendations, please reference the recently revised 2026 Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey.

Grapes

Insect Update

Grape berry moth (GBM) second generation larvae are protected within berries and completing their development.

Scout vineyards for GBM damage and determine if the number of damaged clusters from the previous generation exceeds the treatment threshold of 10%. If above threshold, consider treatment for the next generation.

The next timing for GBM control measures should be applied starting at 1620 DD from the biofix date of wild grape bloom. As of July 14, we are currently at 1444 DD (base 47.14°F) in Gloucester County with a biofix date of 5/19. Consult the Grape berry moth NEWA model for the most accurate forecasting for your area. See the Commercial Grape Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey for management options.

Fillable Forms Now Requested by NJDEP Pesticide Control for Worker Protection Standards Training

Michelle Infante-Casella — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:59:46 +0000

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Pesticide Control Program is asking farmers to now use the fillable rosters for the required Worker Protection Standards training for both the “Handler” and “Worker” categories. Please see the correspondence from NJDEP PCP at the end of this article. The Handler rosters are the only rosters required to be sent to DEP after training workers as pesticide handlers. The Worker rosters are to be kept on file on the farm. Handler rosters must be sent to NJDEP within 30 days of training.

Fillable Handler Form https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/pesticides/bpc/wps/handler.pdf

Fillable Worker Form https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/uploads/pesticides/bpc/wps/worker.pdf

To contact NJDEP Pesticide Control Program, their address, phone and email are below:

Address: NJDEP Pesticide Control Program, 401 East State Street, Mail Code 401-04A, P.O. Box 420
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420

Phone: 609-984-6568

Email: wpspesticides@dep.nj.gov

Email correspondence received from NJDEP PCP on July 8, 2026:

Dear Growers,

To help us accurately review and process your handler training records, we ask that you please use the fillable Handler Training forms when documenting employee training.

Using the fillable forms ensures that employee names and other information are clear and legible when submitted. Handwritten forms can sometimes be difficult to read, which may delay the review process or require us to request additional information.

Please also note that fillable Worker Roster forms are available. Both the Handler Training forms and Worker Roster forms can be found on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Bureau of Pesticide Control website at https://dep.nj.gov/pesticides/compliance-enforcement/worker-protection/#agricultural-worker-protection-standard-guide.

Although the forms are fillable, handlers and workers must still sign the forms after completing the training.

We appreciate your cooperation in using these fillable forms for all future submissions. If you have any questions or need assistance accessing the forms, please let us know.

Thank you for your continued cooperation.

NJDEP Bureau of Pesticide Control

Corn Lodging Reported Following Extreme Heat and Storm Events in Southern New Jersey

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:42:18 GMT

Reports of corn lodging have been coming from multiple locations across southern New Jersey (NJ) since last Sunday (July 5, 2026). We had a period of extreme heat across much of central and southern NJ from July 2 to 4, witnessing daytime temperatures reached 95 to 100°F and heat index values ranged between 105 and 115°F. Right after that, we had weekend thunderstorms that caused locally heavy rainfall and strong winds, resulting in saturated soil and decreased root grip/anchorage in corn fields. The rapid transition from extended heat-induced stress to wet soil conditions and strong winds led to conditions conducive for root lodging, particularly in early planted (rapidly growing) corn with compromised root systems.

Figure 1: Severe lodging observed in taller, early planted corn following strong winds and heavy rainfall. Taller plants are more prone to wind-related lodging due to larger canopy size and increased leverage on the root system. (Photo Credit: Andrew Wyenandt, 2026)

Figure 2: Less severe lodging observed in a comparatively shorter corn field after the same storm event. Decreased plant height and canopy development likely contributed to higher resistance to wind-induced root lodging. ((Photo Credit: Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, 2026)

Assessing the Type of Lodging

Farmers are advised to wait for three to seven days (or until the field conditions allow) after the lodging event to check their fields to determine the type and extent of injury. Two types of wind injury are commonly seen in corn:

Root lodging: Plants get displaced from the vertical, but the stalk remains intact. Roots are partially displaced/lifted while staying attached to the ground. Generally, these plants recover naturally by bending upward over the following several days through normal gravitropic (against the direction of gravity) growth.
Green or Stalk Snap (breaking of stalk): Stalks are broken from below or near the ear. In this case, affected plants cannot recover so they directly contribute to the yield loss, which is generally in proportion to the percentage of broken plants.

Management Recommendations

There is no direct management practice that can reinstate corn to its pre-lodged position. Instead, management is mainly focused on minimizing additional stress, allowing the crop time to recover, and evaluating potential impacts on yield.

Farmers are advised to allow time (three to seven days) for recovery before making final evaluations on root-lodged corn fields. Corn expresses negative gravitropism, by which the plants that have their root systems still intact, will naturally stand back upright, often developing the characteristic “gooseneck” appearance.
It is not suggested to manually straighten lodged plants. Attempting to unbend or stand plants upright can damage root systems and increase plant stress, often causing more injury than benefit.
It is advised to delay non-essential field traffic/operations until soil is sufficiently dry to reduce additional root injury, soil compaction, and mechanical damage to lodged plants. Bringing equipment in lodged corn fields causes more yield loss than the lodging itself.
Farmers are encouraged to continue scouting their fields for foliar diseases and stalk rots. Lodged plants usually stay wetter for long durations, providing conditions conducive for diseases such as gray leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight, and tar spot (where present). Plants injured by wind are more prone to stalk rots later in the season. Routine disease scouting should continue. Fungicide applications should not be justified by lodging alone. However, fungicide decisions should be guided by i) what the growth stage of crops is, ii) how much the disease pressure is, iii) how vulnerable the hybrid is, iv) what the weather conditions are, and v) what is the expected yield goal.
Farmers are advised to evaluate the potential for nitrogen loss. For example, if heavy rainfall resulted in prolonged soil saturation, the likelihood of nitrogen loss should be assessed taking denitrification or leaching into account, which is very notable on southern NJ’s coarse-textured or poorly drained soils. Supplemental nitrogen should only be applied if field conditions, crop growth stage, and expected yield response justify additional applications.
Fields should be reassessed after one week. Fields that stay severely lodged even after five to seven days may have suffered more substantial root injury and should be monitored closely throughout the rest of the growing season.
It is advised to keep monitoring the stalk quality to help prioritize harvest (if and where needed). Wind-damaged fields should be scouted later in the season for stalk deterioration and increased lodging potential. Fields with decline in stalk quality should be prioritized for harvest to minimize additional yield losses.
Affected farmers are advised to document and report affected acreage and estimated losses to their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Accurate reporting will be helpful in documenting the extent of damage and in supporting the evaluation of potential disaster assistance (if applicable).
In case of suspected significant damage and if insured, it is suggested to make timely communication with the crop insurance provider (if warranted) and to follow policy requirements before making management decisions that could affect claim evaluation.

References

GovOneStop. (2026, July 2). New Jersey severe extreme heat warning effective 07/02/2026. https://govonestop.com/nws/new-jersey-severe-extreme-heat-warning-effective-07022026-0051-0

Merchantville. (2026). Dangerous heat through Saturday. Merchantville News. https://www.merchantville.com/index.php/news/local/new-jersey/10067-dangerous-heat-through-saturday

Quinn, D. (2024, July 11). “Flattened” or “Root Lodged” corn caused by heavy rain and wind – Now what? Purdue Extension Pest&Crop Newsletter, 2024(16). Purdue University. https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/newsletters/pestandcrop/article/flattened-or-root-lodged-corn-caused-by-heavy-rain-and-wind-now-what/

University of Kentucky, Department of Plant Pathology. (n.d.). Wind damage/lodging. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. https://veggiescout.mgcafe.uky.edu/wind-damagelodging

Fruit IPM Report for Week of 6/29/2026

Janine Spies — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 02:54:43 +0000

Apples

Fruit IPM Report for Week of 6/22/2026

Janine Spies — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 02:58:13 +0000

Apples

Dangerous Heat: Actions to Stay Safe

Kate Brown — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 01:40:59 +0000

Dangerous heat will impact NJ and the region this week, with maximum air temperatures Wednesday to Saturday forecasted to reach the mid-90s to 105 degrees. The heat index, which factors in relative humidity, is expected to soar as high as 110 degrees. As a result, an Extreme Heat Warning has been issued for the majority of NJ (Wednesday to Saturday) with an Extreme Heat Watch being issued for the counties of Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland (Thursday to Saturday).

Precautions must be taken to prevent heat-related illnesses among the agricultural workforce:

Adjust work schedules and discontinue outdoor work during the hottest parts of the day.
1. You can utilize the OSHA/NIOSH Heat Safety Tool (phone app) for site-specific heat indices to aid planning.
2. Remember: heat index is measured in the shade and does not factor in the effect of work in direct sunlight.
Reduce workload intensity by increasing the number of workers per task, rotating jobs, and increasing the frequency of breaks.
Train everyone on the farm to recognize and respond to signs of heat-related illness in themselves and others.
1. Reinforce training with signage such as this informative ‘Prevent Heat Illness at Work’ poster from OSHA which is available in English, as well as Spanish.
Keep hydrated! Cool water should always be available to everyone. Drink water constantly including before, during, and after work and encourage others to do the same. Sports drinks are generally not necessary when you drink ample water and eat regular meals.
Select light-colored, breathable clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Your clothing must allow for rapid evaporation of sweat – the body’s mechanism for cooling.

Take extreme caution over the next several days to safeguard yourself and others from heat-related illnesses. For more resources on preventing heat-related illness among the agricultural workforce, visit our Heat Stress and Agriculture website.

Post-Pollination Cranberry Insect Pest Control: July 2026 Update

Cesar Rodriguez-Saona — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:15:20 +0000

Dr. Cesar Rodriguez-Saona, Extension Specialist in Blueberry Entomology, Rutgers University

Dr. Yahel Ben-Zvi, Post-doctoral Researcher, Rutgers University

If needed, post-pollination sprays—particularly for Sparganothis fruitworm (Picture 1) and spotted fireworm (Picture 2)—should be applied as soon as bees are removed. Sparganothis fruitworm is monitored using pheromone traps to assess adult flight activity and abundance. If trap counts are high and no insecticide has yet been applied, treatment should be considered promptly to prevent berry damage.

Sparganothis fruitworm

Picture 1. Adult Sparganothis fruitworm

Where pheromone trap catches are high, management should begin soon after bee removal. The optimal timing for the first post-pollination spray is approximately two weeks after peak moth catch, which typically coincides with the 1^st-2^nd week in July.

Spotted fireworm

Spotted fireworm is one of the most important pests in New Jersey cranberry production. Male moth catches typically peak during the second to third week of June. While trap catches provide an indication of population levels, they do not always correlate well with egg mass abundance. This pest is particularly problematic in weedy beds, where females preferentially lay eggs on weeds, such as brier, red maple, redroot, and leatherleaf. For this reason, monitoring for egg masses on weeds is essential. Maintaining clean, weed-free beds is an important component of management. Egg masses are typically hatching at this time of year, and larvae from this generation will feed on both foliage and fruit.

Control options

Picture 2. Adult spotted fireworm

Insect growth regulators (IGRs), such as Intrepid, are effective against Sparganothis fruitworm and spotted fireworm. If IGRs have been used intensively (e.g., in pre-bloom or bloom applications over the past one to two seasons), rotation to alternative chemistries is recommended. Options include Altacor, Delegate, Exirel, or broad-spectrum insecticides such as Diazinon. Broad-spectrum materials may also be preferred where blunt-nosed leafhopper populations are high, since Intrepid, Delegate, and Altacor do not provide control of this pest.

Root-feeding insects and imidacloprid use

If cranberry beds show signs of damage from root-feeding insects, treatment with imidacloprid (e.g., Admire Pro and generics) should be considered immediately after bee removal (mid-July). Dead patches of vines are often indicative of root-feeding injury (Picture 3). Affected areas should be inspected by pulling dead vines and examining the root zone and surrounding soil for grubs.

Imidacloprid is labeled for control of rootworm (Picture 4), root grubs (Phyllophaga spp.), and other scarab beetles in cranberries. It acts as a contact and stomach poison affecting the insect nervous system and is highly systemic. Because it is highly toxic to honey bees, it must only be used post-pollination.

Picture 4. Larvae of cranberry rootworm

Since most scarab grubs in cranberries have multi-year life cycles, a single application may not fully suppress populations. In many cases, two to three consecutive years

Picture 3. Injury by root-feeding insects

of treatment are required for effective long-term control. Identifying the specific grub species present is therefore important prior to treatment.

Nutrient and Management Tips for New Jersey Soybean Production

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:03:14 GMT

In New Jersey, soybeans generally do well in terms of productivity, but final yield largely depends on early-season soil conditions, balanced plant nutrition, and timely field management, particularly in sandy soil areas of the Coastal Plain and Southern part of New Jersey.

Importance of early-season establishment

The final yield potential (to be achieved later in the season) of soybean largely depends on how the crop established early in the season. If there is a poor emergence or is nutrient deficiency in early growth stages, it can decrease the final number of pods per acre and slow down the canopy growth. So, primary areas of focus during the early season are:

To ensure uniformity in planting depth and better seed-to-soil contact for better emergence/stand count.
To avoid planting into cold/wet soil to save emerging seeds from cold injury.
To ensure strong nodulation for better rhizobium activity.

Nutrients Management Considerations

Soybeans, being a leguminous crop, don’t need nitrogen (for the most part as they can fix most of their nitrogen needs by themselves), but they need other nutrients:

Phosphorus for early root development (to absorb water/nutrients and to anchor the plant in the soil) and nodulation. Very high (more than optimum) levels of phosphorus were seen in many New Jersey soils so, no phosphorus fertilizer is recommended for such soils. However, for the soils showing high/optimum phosphorus levels, it is still suggested to apply phosphorus at least in amount equivalent to that is removed by the soybean crop (40 lbs. P₂O₅/acre for a 40 Bu/acre of grain yield).
Potassium for water regulation and pod fill (determinant of final yield). To the soils showing potassium in high levels, it is still needed to apply 55 lbs. of K₂O/acre for a 40 Bu/acre of grain yield, to account for the potassium removed by the soybean crop. For soils showing below optimum potassium levels, the rate of potassium is recommended to be higher than the 55 lbs. of K₂O/acre, depending on what the yield goal is. For a yield goal of 40 Bu/acre, if potassium levels are below optimum, potassium recommendations are to apply between 70-170 lb. K₂O/acre depending on the potassium levels (180-0 lbs. K/acre) shown in soil test (Mehlich-3). Also, it is important to mention the fields with soybean planted as a double crop, where potassium removal from the preceding small grain crop should be accounted for in fertilization planning by adjusting the soil test potassium results to avoid early season potassium deficiency. For example, a 45 Bu/acre soybean crop removes roughly 100–114 lb. K/acre (120–137 lb. K₂O/acre) from soil when potassium removed by the preceding small grain crop and its straw is also included with the potassium removed by soybean grain.
Sulfur has been increasingly becoming critical for last two decades, especially in highly leached, low organic matter, and sandy soils because of the decrease in natural sulfur deposits in soil owing to the stricter environmental regulations after the enactment of clean air act of 1990. Sulfur recommendations for soybeans are 20-40 lbs./acre (if broadcasted) or 20-30 lbs./acre (banded).
Manganese is the micronutrient that is seen deficient in most of the South Jersey’s coarse textured soils. The deficiency is visible in the form of green veins with yellowness appearing between the veins. For soils having the history of Manganese deficiency, recommendations are 15 lbs./acre (broadcast) or 5 lbs./acre (banded) of Manganese, if applied by soil. If a foliar application, recommendations are to apply three times (1^st application as soon as the symptoms appear, 2^nd application on later vegetative stage, and 3^rd at early pod stage) with each application of 0.5-2.0 lbs./acre.
Maintaining pH between 6.2 and 6.8 is generally good for all nutrient’s availability. However, if pH is outside this range, the nutrients that are present in the soil still become unavailable to the soybean plant.

In many New Jersey soybean fields, mild potassium and sulfur deficiencies are more prevalent compared to visible nitrogen deficiency.

Management specific to the Southern New Jersey Soils

Southern New Jersey’s sandy soils lose nutrients rapidly due to high leaching, lose moisture faster during reproductive stages, and encounter nutrient stress even when soil test results say, “adequate level”. Therefore, split or targeted nutrient management and regular soil testing are very helpful.

In-season crop management

At R1 (flowering stage) to R3 (early pod set stage), it is suggested 1) to be watchful for yellowing on leaves or uneven canopy development, 2) to keep checking if nodulation working effectively (red/pink nodules signify better nitrogen fixation), and 3) to ensure no hidden potassium or sulfur deficiency, especially when high rainfall occurs (high leaching rate).

Takeaways (Summary)

Improved soybean yields in New Jersey are tied to 1) good early season establishment, 2) balanced nutrition of phosphorus, potassium (especially in double-crop soybean), sulfur, and manganese, 3) prudent monitoring of nutrient losses in sandy soils, and 4) timely field scouting during flowering and pod set. Taken together, productivity of New Jersey soybeans relies less on high inputs, but more on early-season balance (nutrition) and timely monitoring.

References

Huddell, A. M., Thapa, R., Marcillo, G. S., Abendroth, L. J., Ackroyd, V. J., Armstrong, S. D., & Mirsky, S. B. (2024). US cereal rye winter cover crop growth database. Scientific data, 11(1), 200.
New Jersey Soybean Board. (n.d.). NJ Production Guide. https://njsoybean.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/50737-8-New-Jersey-Tech-Transfer-Guide_LR6.pdf
Rutgers Cooperative Extension. (n.d.). Soil fertility recommendations for soybean (FS102). Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
Heckman, J. R. (1992). Successful double cropping requires adequate soil fertility. The Soil Profile, 2(2). Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
Sharma, R. K., Cox, M. S., Oglesby, C., & Dhillon, J. S. (2024). Revisiting the role of sulfur in crop production: A narrative review. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 15, 101013.

Fruit IPM Report for Week of 6/8/2026

Janine Spies — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:50:04 +0000

Apples

Fertigation: Improving Nitrogen Management In New Jersey Vegetable Crops

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:25:08 GMT

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for vegetable production, but it can also be one of the easiest to lose (by leaching), especially on New Jersey’s sandy Coastal Plain soils. Heavy rainfall or excessive irrigation can move nitrogen below the crop root zone before plants have a chance to use it.

One way growers can improve nitrogen-use efficiency is through fertigation. Fertigation is the application of fertilizer through an irrigation system. In many New Jersey vegetable crops, including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, watermelons, and sweet corn, drip irrigation systems can be used to deliver small amounts of nitrogen throughout the season rather than applying all of it at planting.

Applying nitrogen in smaller, timely doses helps match crop demand and can reduce the risk of nutrient losses. Fertigation also gives growers more flexibility to adjust nitrogen programs based on crop growth and weather conditions. For example, following periods of heavy rainfall, growers can evaluate fields and make adjustments if additional nitrogen is needed.

Like any management practice, successful fertigation depends on proper irrigation scheduling. Applying too much water can still move nutrients below the root zone. However, when irrigation and fertilizer applications are properly managed, fertigation can be an effective tool to improve nitrogen efficiency, support crop productivity, and reduce nutrient losses.

When does fertigation make sense?

Fields equipped with drip irrigation systems.
High-value vegetable crops with season-long nutrient demand.
Sandy soils with greater leaching potential.
Situations where growers want flexibility to adjust nitrogen applications during the growing season

Common New Jersey crops where fertigation may be beneficial

Tomato, pepper, cucumber, pumpkin, watermelon, muskmelon, and sweet corn production systems that utilize irrigation.

Some common things to know when fertigating

Use only fully soluble fertilizers that can move easily through the irrigation system.
Base fertilizer selections on soil test results. Fields with high phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) levels may only require supplemental nitrogen during the season.
Common fertigation materials include soluble NPK fertilizers, calcium nitrate, and potassium nitrate.
Ensure fertilizer injectors are properly calibrated and matched to the flow rate of the irrigation system for uniform nutrient distribution.
Start irrigation first and allow the system to reach normal operating pressure before injecting fertilizer.
After fertigating, continue irrigating briefly to flush fertilizer from the drip lines.
Avoid over-irrigation, as excess water can move nutrients below the root zone and reduce fertilizer-use efficiency.
Regularly inspect drip lines, filters, and injectors to ensure the system is operating properly.
Calculate fertigation rates based on the actively cropped area rather than the entire field acreage.

References

Ernst, T., McWhirt, A., Zimmerman, T., Henderson, E., Duncan, M., and Lay-Walters, A. Basics of Drip Irrigation and Fertigation for Specialty Crops (FSA6160). University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Johnson, G. 2010. Fertigating Drip Irrigated Vegetables. University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, Weekly Crop Update.
Kelley, L. 2026. Nitrogen Prices Spawn Interest in Fertigation. Michigan State University Extension.

Developing and Improving Your Worker Produce Safety Training for Audits and FSMA

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 21:08:59 GMT

A robust annual worker training is a requirement of both the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and a buyer required third-party audit. Are your produce workers trained? Do you feel good about the training they receive? Develop, review, or improve your produce worker food safety training by using our Developing Your On-Farm Food Safety Worker Training Program decision tool. With this tool you can: consider risks involved with where employees work, the tasks they are conducting, what food safety risks they should know based on these activities, what you are already doing to train these workers, and learn more about additional resources available online that you can share in-person or via text to enhance their understanding of food safety risk reduction. Don’t forget to keep track of who, how, and when they were trained as proof during your inspection or audit. Use our employee training log template digitally or in paper format as part of your food safety recordkeeping.

NJ Freeze Disaster Designation and Emergency Loan Info (NJ Freeze Disaster Declaration Approved)

Michelle Infante-Casella — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:22:28 +0000

The requested disaster declaration regarding Freeze from April 19, 2026, through April 22, 2026, has been approved by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins on June 8th, 2026. All 21 counties in New Jersey, seventeen (17) primary and four (4) contiguous, are covered by this designation.

A Secretarial Disaster Designation makes farm operators in primary and contiguous counties eligible to be considered for FSA emergency loans and disaster set aside, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in all counties have until February 8, 2027, to apply for emergency loan assistance. The Emergency Loan Fact Sheet provides further information on how producers may apply for this assistance with local FSA Offices.

Fruit IPM Report for Week of 6/1/2026

Janine Spies — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:24:34 +0000

Across the state, daytime temperatures ranged from the upper 60s to the mid-70s until mid-week, when temperatures increased into the low 90s.

Fruitlets that did not develop continue to drop, and additional drops are expected throughout this month. Growers are encouraged to continue evaluating blocks carefully before making management decisions throughout the season.

Despite reduced crop potential, continued monitoring and management remain important, particularly in blocks with surviving fruit or where maintaining tree health and supporting return bloom for the 2027 season are priorities. See the recent post from Rutgers Extension Specialists and Cooperative Extension on Managing orchards with through a season with limited yields.

Apples

New World Screwworm: Why New Jersey Livestock Producers Should Be Aware

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:34:43 GMT

Recent detection (on June 3, 2026) of New World screwworm in Texas (Zavala County) have renewed attention to a livestock pest that was eradicated from the United States more than 50 years ago. While the current detections are far from New Jersey, they serve as a reminder of the importance of animal health surveillance and routine livestock inspections.

What is New World Screwworm: New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. Unlike common fly maggots that typically feed on dead or decaying tissue, screwworm larvae invade healthy tissue, causing painful and rapidly expanding wounds that can lead to severe animal health problems if left untreated.
Why Is It in the News: The pest was eradicated from the United States in the 1960s and 1970s through a successful sterile insect release program. However, outbreaks in Central America and Mexico have moved northward in recent years, resulting in recent detections in Texas. Federal and state animal health officials are actively responding to these detections to prevent establishment and further spread.
Should New Jersey Producers Be Concerned: At this time, there is no reason for alarm in New Jersey. However, livestock owners should be aware of the pest and its symptoms because early detection is critical to successful control efforts.
Animals at Risk: New World Screwworm can affect cattle, sheep, goats, horses, swine, pets (dogs and cats), and wildlife. Any warm-blooded animal with an open wound can potentially be infested.
What to Watch For: Producers should monitor animals for wounds that enlarge rapidly, foul-smelling lesions, bloody or pink-tinged discharge, visible maggots in wounds, excessive irritation or rubbing, reduced feed intake, and lethargy or weakness. Pay particular attention to newborn navels, castration sites, dehorning wounds, ear-tagging sites, branding wounds, cuts and abrasions.
Good Management Practices: The best defense remains good animal husbandry. Inspect livestock regularly, treat wounds promptly, maintain fly-control programs, monitor newborn and recently processed animals closely, and consult a veterinarian if unusual wound development is observed.
Food Safety: New World screwworm is primarily an animal health concern and does not pose a food safety risk to consumers. Its impact is related to animal welfare, livestock productivity, and economic losses rather than meat safety.
Stay Informed: Rutgers Cooperative Extension encourages livestock owners to stay informed through USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, and their local veterinarian. While the current risk to New Jersey remains low, awareness and early recognition are important components of protecting animal health.

References

Texas Animal Health Commission. (2026, June 3). New World screwworm confirmed in Zavala County calf: First case of NWS in Texas [News release]. (https://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/2026/2026-06-03_NWS_InitialCase.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Kaufman, P., Swiger, S. L., & Herring, A. (2026). New World screwworm fact sheet. (https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/new-world-screwworm-fact-sheet/)
Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. (2025, June). New World screwworms: Fact sheet for producers. Kansas State University. (https://entomology.k-state.edu/extension/human-and-animal-health/New%20World%20Screwworms_June2025.pdf)
California Department of Food and Agriculture. (2025, June). New World screwworm fact sheet. California Department of Food and Agriculture. (https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/pdfs/screwworm_fact_sheet.pdf)

Vineyard Pest and Disease Management Considerations Following Freeze Injury

Katrina DeWitt — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 02:00:56 +0000

Weed Management Following Freeze Injury

Fruit IPM Report for Week of 5/25/2026

Janine Spies — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 01:59:48 +0000

Following a rainy and cool Memorial Day weekend, temperatures remained mild in the 60s and 70s for the remainder of the week. Temperatures gradually increased to the lower 80s by the weekend.

We are seeing fruitlets beginning to drop, and additional drops are still expected throughout this month. Growers are encouraged to continue evaluating blocks carefully before making management decisions throughout the season.

Apples

Farm Visitors Are Back: Are you required to let the public bring their animals onto your retail farm?

Wes Kline — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:44:16 +0000

A spring reminder of what you can and cant do regarding the public wanting to bring animals to your direct market and/or agritourism farm:

An increasing number of customers are bringing animals with them when they visit farm markets, pick your own farms, or agritainment activities. Animals can pose a food safety risk to produce, introduce disease to farm animals, frighten or upset farm animals. Outside animals can also pose a risk to employees and other market customers and farm visitors. Farmers need to consider these occurrences when keeping in compliance with regulations and buyer requirements specific to food safety and biosecurity to protect their farm animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) governs what you are legally allowed to do in regards to customers with service animals visiting your market or on your farm. This fact sheet will cover the specifics of the ADA, animals that are not protected by the ADA regulations, and how to reduce potential risk on your farm from outside animals. States often have regulations that go beyond the federal ADA regulation, information represented in this fact sheet is specific to New Jersey. If you farm in another state please consult the state by state guide linked at the end of this article.

What do the ADA regulations cover?
While many types of animals can provide comfort and emotional support to their owners, only service animals are protected by the ADA, specifically Title II and III. The ADA regulations define “service animal” as dogs, and less commonly miniature ponies, that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities such as guiding a blind person, alerting people who are deaf, assisting a person in a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or other duties. The work or task that a service animal has been trained to perform must be directly related to the persons disability. Some of these disabilities are obvious, others are not.

What questions can you legally ask?
When it is not obvious to you that an animal is a service animal you may ask just two questions to determine if the animal is a service animal.
1) Is the service animal required because of a disability?
2) What work or task has the service animal been trained to perform?
The service animal must have been trained to perform a specific task or work for a person with a disability in order to qualify for protection under the ADA regulations. Note that service animals do not always wear vests or harnesses, and there is no paperwork or ID Card carried by anyone with a service animal.

What questions are you legally prevented from asking?
1) You may not ask about the persons disability.
2) You may not ask for proof of the persons disability.
3) You may not ask for documentation or proof that the service animal is trained.
4) You may not ask for an animal health certificate.

What should you do once you are satisfied the animal is a service animal?
1) Inform the handler which areas of the farm are open to the service animal and handler.
2) Inform the handler where the handwashing areas are located, and that they should wash their hands before handling and consuming produce.
3) Inform the handler of the proper area for the service animal to relieve themselves.
4) Inform the handler of where plastic bags and trash cans are available to them to dispose of fecal material.
5) Inform the handler of any farm policies specific to service animals.

Are comfort or emotional support animals protected by regulations?
Neither comfort nor emotional support animals are covered by the ADA regulations. Without the ADA regulatory protection these animals can be refused entry to your farm without fear of legal ramifications based on risk to your crops, your animals, farm employees or other farm customers.

What risks do outside animals pose for farm livestock and other farm animals?
When outside animals are present on your farm there are diseases that can be spread to and by your farm animals and livestock. Zoonotic diseases are diseases spread between humans and animals and include E. coli O157:H7, salmonella, and others. The most common way for these diseases to spread is through direct contact, indirect contact, vectors, and contaminated food. It has been estimated that six out of ten known infectious diseases impacting humans are spread also by animals. For more information on zoonotic disease risks and preventive controls visit the CDC Zoonotic Diseases webpage.

Can you deny entry to animals on the farm?
In general the ADA regulations state that service animals may be present where the public is normally permitted. You may restrict service animals from specific areas such as produce handling areas used for washing, packing, and storage (risk of food contamination), or livestock areas (natural predator/prey relationships that can upset farm animals or potentially be a source of disease transmission).

What is appropriate behavior for a service animal and their handler?
Service animals should always be under the control of their handler. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. Service animals have been trained on how to perform a service to their handler and should be focused on that task.

Can you ask someone with a service animal to leave the farm?
If the service animal is behaving in a way that indicates they are not under the control of their handler, or if the handler is unable to control the animal, you may ask them to leave. Examples of this type of behavior would be: consumption of produce, urination, marking, or defecation in the production areas, excessive barking, or aggressive behavior.

Can service animals go into you-pick areas?
You should consider your production practices and the risk involved with having an animal in your fields when determining what parts of the farm service animals can access . Crops grown in close proximity to the ground are inherently higher risk crops for contamination when compared to crops growing farther from the ground. Crops typically consumed raw are also higher risk, and in many pick-your-own settings the customers are eating produce in the fields as they pick. Contact with animals can increase the risk of contamination of that produce. Handwashing stations should be provided to give the customers an opportunity to clean their hands after touching the service animal.

Can service animals go into farm stores?
Service animals may be given access to store areas that are generally open to the public. Service animals would be prohibited from food processing areas, such as a store kitchen, due to contamination risk.

What should you provide to help reduce risk when service animals are on the farm?
While the presence of service animals on your farm is likely to be a rare event, you should be prepared by having a designated area for service animals to relieve themselves, complete with pick-up bags and a trash can to dispose of fecal material. Handwashing facilities should be available for the handler.

What if I let my customers bring animals onto my farm, without restrictions?
Should you allow animals other than service animals onto your farm be prepared to deal with customers with animals frequently. At minimum you should consider the following:
• Where will these animals urinate and defecate?
• What supplies will you provide to allow proper clean-up of defecation? (i.e. plastic bags and a trash can)
• Who will be trained to properly monitor this area to ensure that it does not become a contamination risk or an eyesore for your farm?
• Where will the customer handwashing station be so that their hands can be washed after handling their animal and after managing a defecation event?
• What signage will you need to instruct customers on your expectation for animal behavior and handling at the farm?
• How will you handle a situation when the animal and/or the handler is behaving inappropriately?

What are the steps to enforce your policies when someone wants to bring an animal on the farm?
Your own policies regarding service animals on your farm will dictate the conversation you have with a member of the public who wishes to bring an animal onto your property. Below are two examples of a farm policy:

Animals other than service animals will be asked to leave the farm.
If the disability is not known or obvious the handler will be asked the following questions to confirm the animal is a service animal:
- “Is the animal a service animal required for a disability?”
- “What task has the service animal been trained to do?”
If the animal is confirmed as a service animal, you will be informed of the following:
- Areas that are open to the handler and service animal
- Location of hand-washing areas
- Areas that the service animal can eliminate waste
- Policies at the farm specific to service animals
If the animal is not a service animal, you will be asked to remove the animal from the property.
If you refuse to leave the property, the police may be called.

Allowing Any Outside Animal onto the Farm Property by Customers

Animals are permitted on the farm property without restriction.
Customers are made aware of the farm policies regarding outside animals on the farm by prominent signage at:
- The farm entrance
- The designated animal relief area/s at the farm.
Signage will inform the customer the following:
- Areas that are open to the animal
- Location of hand-washing areas
- Situations that would warrant when it is appropriate to wash their hands
- Area/s that the service animal can eliminate waste
- Instructions for what the customer should do if their animal accidentally relieves themselves in inappropriate areas
Animal behavior that is considered unacceptable in the farm environment
- Consumption of produce
- Urination, marking, or defecation in areas outside of the designated relief area
- Excessive barking
- Aggressive behaviors towards other customers, employees, or farm animals
Customers who are not handling their animals in accordance with the farm policies may be asked to leave.

What do you need to do to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act/Produce Safety Rule or a buyer required third party audit?
Produce safety inspectors and auditors will focus on the potential risk of contamination with animals on your farm. You can expect questioning to focus on the production areas where the animals are permitted access, the areas that the animals are allowed to relieve themselves, how those areas are maintained, availability of handwashing facilities for the handler, and relevance and prominence of appropriate signage for the handler. Signage should indicate your expectations for the animal handler, locations of areas to support proper handwashing and trash disposal, and appropriate areas for the animal to urinate and defecate.

Where can I learn more about the ADA regulations on service animals?
ADA 2010 Revised Requirements – Service Animals https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm
Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html
State Specific Regulatory Table https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-assistance-animal-laws

Rutgers Cooperative Extension would like to thank The Seeing Eye, Inc., the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture, New Jersey Farm Bureau and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture for their assistance in developing this fact sheet.
Originally posted on the PPA 05/03/19

Late-Planted Corn in Southern New Jersey: What to Expect and How to Manage in 2026

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:52:11 GMT

USDA reports indicate that 93% of the U.S. corn crop was planted by May 31, 2026, slightly ahead of the five-year average, with strong emergence (76%) and 67% of the crop rated good to excellent. However, national progress does not always reflect local conditions. In southern New Jersey (NJ), cooler soil temperatures and variable field conditions pushed some planting into late May and early June. Understanding how these later planting dates influence corn growth and management is critical for optimizing yield potential this season.

Key Takeaways for Growers

Yield potential declines with delayed planting after mid-May: Corn planted in early June typically experiences a 5 to 15% yield reduction compared to mid-May planting in the Mid-Atlantic, depending on hybrid maturity and late-season weather.
Shorter vegetative period means fewer kernels per ear: Later planting compresses vegetative growth, often reducing leaf area development, kernel rows and kernel number per ear. This is the primary driver of yield loss, not necessarily kernel weight.
Higher risk of heat stress during pollination: June-planted corn is more likely to tassel and silk during peak July heat, increasing risk of poor pollination and kernel abortion.
Grain fill may extend into cooler fall conditions: Later planting can push grain fill into September–October, increasing risk of slower dry-down, higher grain moisture at harvest, and potential early frost damage (in extreme cases).

Nutrient and Soil Considerations

Nitrogen (N) management becomes more critical as rapid early growth in warmer soils can increase N demand. So, consider split N applications or sidedress timing carefully (V5–V7 window still key).
Sulfur (S) deficiency risk may increase as warmer, wetter early-season conditions can enhance S leaching in sandy NJ soils. Visual symptoms may appear earlier in late-planted corn due to rapid growth.
Potassium (K) uptake timing is compressed as K uptake peaks around V6–VT. So, ensure adequate soil K, especially in coastal plain sandy soils.

Management Adjustments for Late-Planted Corn

Consider slightly shorter maturity hybrids if planting delayed beyond mid-June. However, for early June planting, most full-season hybrids are still acceptable.
Increase scouting frequency as faster growth means shorter windows to correct deficiencies. Pay attention to N deficiency (lower leaves yellowing) and S deficiency (upper leaves yellowing).
Weed control timing is tighter as corn canopy closes faster making narrower herbicide application window.
Monitor soil moisture closely as late-planted corn often has higher evapotranspiration demand during peak summer.

Summary

Corn planted in early June may face moderate yield risk, but not a major loss under good conditions.
The 2026 season will largely depend on weather during pollination (July) and timely nutrient management, especially N and S.
With proper in-season management and favorable weather, much of the yield potential can still be preserved.

References

Squire, M. 2026. USDA Releases First 2026 Corn Condition Ratings. Successful Farming, June 2, 2026.
Crop Progress (June 2026) 19 USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://esmis.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/release-files/795928/prog2226.pdf)

Fruit IPM Report for Week of 5/18/2026

Janine Spies — Wed, 27 May 2026 17:21:23 +0000

Temperatures early in the week were hot, with highs in the low to mid 90s °F, before cooling later in the week and into the weekend, when temperatures hung in the mid to upper 50s °F. Cooler temperatures over the weekend were accompanied by approximately 1-2 inches of rain.

At this stage, surviving fruitlets are becoming easier to identify, although some additional drop is still expected in the next month. Growers are encouraged to continue evaluating blocks carefully before making management decisions throughout the season.

Apples

Networks to Reduce Risk: Field trip to Montclair Community Farms and Program Wrap up

Claudia Gil Arroyo — Mon, 25 May 2026 04:00:06 +0000

Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026, for the final event of the Networks to Reduce Risk: Building Viable NJ Farms program! We’re celebrating with a special field trip to Montclair Community Farms from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This fun wrap‑up event offers a great chance to explore urban agriculture, learn about sustainability and community food systems, and connect with fellow participants. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided, and it’s the perfect opportunity to take photos and close out the program together. Registration is just $5—save your spot today! You can register at: https://go.rutgers.edu/lxjqrrv7