Are you interested in improving the sustainability of your farm while also increasing your farm’s productivity and success? Join us to explore topics in sustainable agriculture through this virtual seminar series! This initial offering of four sessions will be held on Zoom from 12-1 pm ET on the below dates and cover an introduction to sustainable agriculture and soil health management.

This series is intended for any farmers looking to enhance their production systems by adopting new sustainable practices. Additional information can be found on the attached flyer. Seminars will be recorded and shared afterwards for those unable to attend live.

Please register at this link to receive the Zoom link for the seminar: Sustainable Agriculture Seminar Series Registration

Sustainable Ag Seminar Series Flyer 2026 (2)

• What is sustainable agriculture, and how can it help my farm?
  • Tuesday, October 6th 12 – 1 p.m.
• Starting from the ground up: physical properties of soil health
  • Tuesday, October 20th 12 – 1 p.m.
• Cover crops to improve soil health and farm profitability
• • Thursday, November 5th 12 – 1 p.m.
• Soil as an ecosystem: microbial soil biology and crop health
  • Tuesday, November 17th 12 – 1 p.m.

      

The planning committee for the expo is looking forward to providing many new opportunities, and Rutgers has confirmed many new speakers to offer excellent information, covering various topics from the 2026 growing season and research results to help farmers improve their practices. The Harrah’s conference center offers the best layout in Atlantic City for this convention. Come for the opportunity to network with others in the industry, to learn from over 72 presenters on a diversity of topics, and to gain pesticide recertification credits to keep your applicator’s license current. To register and for more information from the organizing association, go to the Vegetable Growers Association of NJ’s website at https://vganj.com.

Please see the DRAFT Rutgers Educational Program below. Pesticide credits have been applied for with NJ DEP. When the credits are assigned this program will be republished and promoted with credits.

      

The right pods to check

First step is to check with your seed dealer to see what variety (indeterminate or determinate) of soybean you are growing. For indeterminate variety, the pods at the top four nodes of the main stem, having fully developed leaves, should be examined to determine the growth stage. In case of determinate varieties, growth stage identification can be performed anywhere throughout the plant as pods develop uniformly along the stem. For growth stage assessment, include plants from all representative field sections (possibly known), with particular attention to later-developing areas.

Identify the growth stages

• R5 is a “beginning seed” stage when seed starts to develop, attaining 1/8 inch of length.
• R6 is a “full seed” stage when pods have full seed (green) that completely fills the pod cavity.
• R6.5 is a “late seed fill” stage when seed (contained in the pod) gets fully separated from the protective membrane of the pod wall.
• To look for photos of different soybean growth stages (including R5, R6, and R6.5), please visit this link- https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/guide-soybean-growth-stages

How to make a final decision on irrigation

• Once your soybean plants are at R6.5, it’s generally the right time to terminate irrigation if your field’s root zone has sufficient moisture to sustain the rest of seed filling. If your soybean plants are at R6, they still need irrigation.
• To guide irrigation termination timing, it is helpful to i) Keep in mind that the sandy soils in Southern New Jersey have limited soil-water reserves, ii) Check moisture in root-zone with sensors or soil sampling at or just before soybean reaches R6.5 stage, iii) Stay up to date with the weather forecasts, and iv) Reassess the decision in case expected rainfall does not come.

Summary/ Takeaway Message

Use R6.5 growth stage identification method and soil moisture information to decide your irrigation termination time. Do not rely only on the calendar, leaf color, or mature-looking pods on lower part of the plant.

References

• Gholson, D., & Irby, T. (2024, August 7). Soybean Irrigation Termination. Mississippi State University Extension, Mississippi Crop Situation. https://www.mississippi-crops.com/2024/08/07/soybean-irrigation-termination-5/

• Irby, T., Elliott, B., Oswalt, G., & O’Neal, P. (2024). Guide to soybean growth stages (Publication 4028). Mississippi State University Extension. https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/guide-soybean-growth-stages
• Irby, T., & Roach, D. (2014, August 25). Soybean irrigation termination. Mississippi State University Extension, Mississippi Crop Situation. https://www.mississippi-crops.com/2014/08/25/soybean-irrigation-termination-2/

Questions? Contact Ramandeep Kumar Sharma at rs2794@njaes.rutgers.edu.

      

Please RSVP  by October 20, 2026

Contact Jocelyn Shillingford at (609) 465 5115 ext. 3607 or capemayag@njaes.rutgers.edu

      

Rutgers Cooperative Extension – Salem County
51 Cheney Road, Woodstown, NJ

Program begins at 6:00 p.m.; please arrive early.

Schedule & Topics

6:00 p.m. – Welcome & Introduction – Salvatore Mangiafico and Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

6:15 p.m. – Sulfur in Coastal Soils – Jarrod Miller, University of Delaware

6:45 p.m. – Sweet Corn Pest Management Updates: Scouting, IPM Strategies, and Responsible Pesticide Use – Amanda Quadrel, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

7:15 p.m. – Assessment of Agricultural Crop Damage by Black Bear in New Jersey – Salvatore Mangiafico, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

7:45 p.m. – Corn Lodging Insights and Agronomic Research Updates – Ramandeep Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

8:15 p.m. – Wrap-Up, Evaluations, and Pesticide Credit Submissions

Pesticide Recertification Credits (Credits are pending NJDEP approval)

Credits have been applied for: CORE (1), 1A (2), PP2 (2), and Category 10 (1)

Registration

Phone: 856-769-0090
Email: e_dehart@salemcountynj.gov

Please save the date and join us for an evening of practical information and discussion relevant to New Jersey field crop production.

We look forward to seeing you August 31!

      

(Photo Credit: Ramandeep Kumar Sharma; Aug 24 2026)

How to identify R4 stage in soybeans?

Soybean is reached at the R4 (full pod) growth stage when a plant has a pod at least 3/4 of a inch long at one of the four uppermost nodes on the main stem, with a fully developed leaf at that node. To determine whether the crop has reached R5 (beginning seed), open a pod at one of these upper nodes. R5 begins when the seed inside the pod is at least 1/8 inch long.

Why R4 is so important for soybeans?

R4 marks the starting of one of the most critical periods for soybean yield determination. At R4 stage, pod growth is fast, and seed development is starting. From R4 through early seed filling, stresses such as moisture/nutrient deficiency, disease, insect injury, and excessive defoliation can reduce yield by increasing the abortion of flowers, pods, and developing seeds. The crop has some ability to compensate later through seed growth, but that compensation is limited.

What should soybean farmers do now?

• Monitor soil moisture: Adequate moisture is particularly important from R4 through early seed development. This deserves close attention in Southern New Jersey’s sandy and coarse-textured soils, which can dry rapidly during hot, dry periods. Where irrigation is available, monitor soil and crop conditions and irrigate when needed.
• Keep scouting for insects and diseases: Continue checking the canopy for defoliation, pod-feeding insects, and disease symptoms. Make pesticide decisions based on scouting, pest or disease pressure, crop stage, economic considerations where applicable, and the current product label but not simply because the crop has reached R4.
• Check for nutrient stress: Continue watching for nutrient deficiency, especially in fields with low soil fertility or a history of nutrient loss. Rutgers recommends that soybean fertility management be based on recent soil tests and realistic yield goals. Rutgers also identifies potassium and sulfur as important considerations in New Jersey soybean production and notes that nutrient stress can occur in Southern New Jersey soils because of nutrient leaching.
• Don’t stop scouting weeds: A closed soybean canopy suppresses many weeds, but late-season escapes can still produce seed and interfere with harvest. Any herbicide application must follow the current product label, including crops, weed, timing, rate, and preharvest restrictions.

Summary

R4 is not the time to stop scouting, it is the time to pay closer attention. Protecting adequate soil moisture, healthy foliage, developing pods, and seed formation during R4–R6 can help protect soybean yield potential. On checking pods, if a seed (at least 1/8 inch long) is found inside a pod at one of the upper four nodes, it means the plant has reached R5 (beginning seed).

References

• Sharma, R. K., & Heckman, J. 2026. Nutrient and Management Tips for New Jersey Soybean Production. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Plant & Pest Advisory, June 26, 2026.
• Heckman, J. R. 2009. Soil Fertility Recommendations for Soybean. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Fact Sheet E323.
• Bravo, M. 2021. Soybean insect vectored, internal stem, root disease monitoring now through pod fill. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Plant & Pest Advisory, July 9, 2021.
• Bravo, M. 2021. Field crop progress mid-July, Salem County. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Plant & Pest Advisory, July 17, 2021.

      

The following health and wellness services could be provided at individual farms or at community events. If you are interested or would like to learn more, please contact Annie Preston from the Pinelands Alliance at annie@pinelandsalliance.org or 301-675-0729.

Virtua Health Services (need 30 to 60 days advance notice)

• Eat Well Mobile Grocery Store and Mobile Farmers Market – accepts SNAP, sometimes can be a free produce giveaway
• Mobile Pediatric Screening Units: Screenings for children 6 and under: vision, hearing, dental, developmental; School and sports physicals for birth -12th grade; Flu vaccinations for all ages, including adults; Blood lead level screening for children under 6 and pregnant or lactating people
• Women’s Cancer Screening for insured and uninsured patients – need a minimum of 15 people to pre-register
• Cancer education
• Stop the Bleed First Aid and Tourniquet Trainings (class for up to 24 people at a time)
• Dietitians and nutrition educators
• Blood pressure, cholesterol, and A1c screenings (A1c needs temperature-controlled environment).
• Health Education and Stress First Aid
• Speakers representing a variety of medical specialties (subject to availability)

 Cherry Hill Free Clinic (need 2 weeks advance notice)

• Men’s Cancer Screenings
• Hepatology
• Diabetes care
• Vaccines (Gardasil, pneumovax, Shingrix).
• 20 medical specialties (subject to availability)
• Patients can use their Uber business account to book rides to the clinic, lab, and imaging appointments
• Remote patient monitoring including at-home glucometer kits, BP cuffs, and blood glucose implants. Good for up to 2 weeks before changed out.
• Vaccines (Gardasil, pneumovax, Shingrix).
• They can bring a Doctor/nurse practitioner who can write a prescription for meds on site.

      

Agri-Technology, Nursery, Agronomy, Fruit and Vegetable Research Twilight Meeting at RAREC

Wednesday August 26^th, 2026 (4 pm until dark)

Location: Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC), 121 Northville Road, Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302

Hosted by: Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, Patrick McMullen, and Andy Wyenandt

Questions? Contact: Andy Wyenandt (wyenandt@njaes.rutgers.edu)

This year’s twilight meeting at RAREC will showcase advances in crop production, integrated pest management, soil fertility, weed management, and innovative agricultural technologies for growers and stakeholders across the state.

• Dan Ward, Director, RAREC. Welcome to RAREC
• Wesley Kline, Cumberland County Agricultural Agent
  • ‘Impact of Cyclospora on fruit and vegetable production’ CORE: 30 minutes
• Tim Waller, Cumberland County RCE Nursery Agent.
  • ‘Useful Nursery and Ornamental Crops and Considerations’
• Raul Cabrera, Extension Specialist in Nursery Production and Management.
  • ‘Recent developments on substrates (for container-grown crops)’
• Dan Ward, Director, RAREC; Rutgers Agrivoltiacs Program.
  • ‘Update on the agrivoltaics research program at Rutgers’
• Ann Nielsen, Extension Specialist in Entomology
  • Emma Waltman, PhD candidate, ‘Land-use around farms impacts stink bug biological control’
  • Amanda Furuya, Post-Doctoral Associate, ‘Tackling Spotted Lanternfly in South Jersey Vineyards’
  • Octavio Menocal Sandoval, Post-Doctoral Associate, ‘Updating Monitoring and Management for Codling Moth in Apple’
• Thierry Besancon, Extension Weed Specialist for Specialty Crops.
  • ‘Update on new technologies for weed management in vegetable crops’
• Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, Salem County Agricultural Agent.
  • ‘Optimizing Nitrogen Rate and Application Timing for Corn Yield and Quality’
  • ‘Evaluation of Sulfur Fertilizer Sources and Application Rates for Optimizing Soybean Growth and Yield in Southern New Jersey’
• Maria Cramer, Senior Program Coordinator, Vegetable IPM,
  • ‘Thrips management in tomatoes’
• Patrick McMullen, Atlantic County Agricultural Agent.
  • ‘Wilts of cucurbits: Identification and management’
• Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology.
  • ‘Updates on vegetable disease control’

NJDEP pesticide recertification credits approved: CORE (1), PP2 (4), 1A (4), and Category 10 (4).

     

Related Stories

• Twilight (In-Field) Meeting at Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC) – Tomorrow
• Agri-Technology, Nursery, Agronomy, Fruit and Vegetable Research Twilight Meeting at RAREC: Wednesday August 26, 2026

 

Location:
1076 Seahorse Winery
Seashore Road
Cape May NJ  08204

Program

6:00 PM – Registration / Light Refreshments

6:15 PM – Welcome – Claudia Gil Arroyo, County Agent III, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of
Cape May County; Rutgers NJAES

6:20 PM – James Shope, PhD., Assistant Extension Specialist in Climate Services
Department of Environmental Sciences, SEBS, New Brunswick; Rutgers NJAES

6:50 PM – Joseph Heckman, PhD., Extension Specialist – Soil Fertility, Department of Plant Biology, SEBS, New Brunswick; Rutgers NJAES

7:20 PM – David Hlubik, Burlington County Agent III, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of
Burlington County; Rutgers NJAES

7:50 PM – Patrick McMullen, County Agent III, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Atlantic
County; Commercial Vegetable Production; Rutgers NJAES

Light refreshments will be served.

The following pesticide recertification credits will be awarded:

Please RSVP by October 20, 2025:
Jocelyn Shillingford 609-465-5115 ext. 3607 or capemayag@njaes.rutgers.edu

      

Monday, August 31, 2026

 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm 

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

51 Cheney Rd, Woodstown, NJ 

(program starts at 6 pm; please arrive earlier) 

Please Save the Date!  

To register

 856-769-0090

  e_dehart@salemcountynj.gov

      Schedule & Topics to be Covered

6:00 pm     Welcome & Introduction

– Salvatore Mangiafico and Ramandeep Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension (Salem County)

6:15 pm       Planting Timing and Nutrient Availability in Corn and Soybean Systems

– Jarrod Miller, University of Delaware

6:45 pm       Sweet Corn Pest Management Updates: Scouting, IPM Strategies, and Responsible Pesticide Use

– Amanda Quadrel, Rutgers Cooperative Extension

7:15 pm        Assessment of Agricultural Crop Damage by Black Bear in New Jersey

– Salvatore Mangiafico, Rutgers Cooperative Extension (Salem County)

7:45 pm       Corn Lodging Insights and Agronomic Research Updates

– Ramandeep Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension (Salem County)

8:15 pm        Wrap-Up, Evaluations, & Pesticide Credit Submissions

– Salvatore Mangiafico and Ramandeep Sharma, Rutgers Cooperative Extension (Salem County)

Pesticide Recertification Credits Applied for:

CORE (1), 1A (2), PP2 (2), and 10 (1). Credits are pending NJDEP approval.

      

Wednesday August 26^th, 2026 (4 pm until dark)

Location: Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center (RAREC), 121 Northville Road, Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302

Hosted by: Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, Patrick McMullen, and Andy Wyenandt

Questions? Contact: Andy Wyenandt (wyenandt@njaes.rutgers.edu)

This year’s twilight meeting at RAREC will showcase advances in crop production, integrated pest management, soil fertility, weed management, and innovative agricultural technologies for growers and stakeholders across the state.

• Dan Ward, Director, RAREC. Welcome to RAREC
• Wesley Kline, Cumberland County Agricultural Agent
  • ‘Impact of Cyclospora on fruit and vegetable production’ CORE: 30 minutes
• Tim Waller, Cumberland County RCE Nursery Agent.
  • ‘Useful Nursery and Ornamental Crops and Considerations’
• Raul Cabrera, Extension Specialist in Nursery Production and Management.
  • ‘Recent developments on substrates (for container-grown crops)’
• Dan Ward, Director, RAREC; Rutgers Agrivoltiacs Program.
  • ‘Update on the agrivoltaics research program at Rutgers’
• Ann Nielsen, Extension Specialist in Entomology
  • Emma Waltman, PhD candidate, ‘Land-use around farms impacts stink bug biological control’
  • Amanda Furuya, Post-Doctoral Associate, ‘Tackling Spotted Lanternfly in South Jersey Vineyards’
  • Octavio Menocal Sandoval, Post-Doctoral Associate, ‘Updating Monitoring and Management for Codling Moth in Apple’
• Thierry Besancon, Extension Weed Specialist for Specialty Crops.
  • ‘Update on new technologies for weed management in vegetable crops’
• Ramandeep Kumar Sharma, Salem County Agricultural Agent.
  • ‘Optimizing Nitrogen Rate and Application Timing for Corn Yield and Quality’
  • ‘Evaluation of Sulfur Fertilizer Sources and Application Rates for Optimizing Soybean Growth and Yield in Southern New Jersey’
• Maria Cramer, Senior Program Coordinator, Vegetable IPM,
  • ‘Thrips management in tomatoes’
• Patrick McMullen, Atlantic County Agricultural Agent.
  • ‘Wilts of cucurbits: Identification and management’
• Andy Wyenandt, Extension Specialist in Vegetable Pathology.
  • ‘Updates on vegetable disease control’

NJDEP pesticide recertification credits are pending approval. Expected credits include CORE (1), PP2 (4), 1A (4), 3A (2), and Category 10 (3).

     

 Monday, August 31, 2026

 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

 Rutgers Cooperative Extension

51 Cheney Rd, Woodstown, NJ

 (program starts at 6 pm; please arrive earlier)

 Please Save the Date!

 To register

 856-769-0090

  e_dehart@salemcountynj.gov

 Join us for an evening program focused on topics relevant to field crop production, including:

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Updates
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Programs for Crop Production
• Assessment of Agricultural Crop Damage by Black Bear in New Jersey
• Corn Lodging Management and Agronomy Research Updates
• Additional field crop production topics

Speakers and detailed agenda will be announced soon.

Pesticide Recertification Credits will be offered.

Credit details (category type and how many) will be announced soon (upon NJDEP approval).

     

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

     

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

     

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