Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: The principal audiences consist of commercial tree fruit and blueberry growers statewide. Blueberry production in focused in Atlantic and Burlington counties (Hammonton, Pemberton through Browns Mills and New Lisbon areas). Wholesale tree fruit production is largely in Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland counties, and direct market tree fruit production is in Burlington, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren, Morris, Sussex, Monmouth, Middlesex and Bergen Counties. In total, the program directly addressed 42 commercial blueberry growers and 42 tree fruit growers, defined as primary participants. Commercial growers were trained out of state in two meeting in PA. A blueberry IPM training course addressed 23 growers in Burkes County, PA, and over 100 growers were addressed in a half day IPM training session in Hershey, PA in February. Sevin undergraduate students were trained as seasonal IPM field scouts for both blueberry and tree fruit pests, and one full time farm IPM employee was trained. One post-doctoral fellow was trained in blueberry IPM and GIS based monitoring. The results of program activities were presented in field meetings, twilight and other grower meetings, newsletters, Web downloads, and annual recommendations. Third party food safety auditors used the presence of the program to certify food safety standards, and one large marketer used program participation for both food safety audits and marketing purposes. Pest specific monitoring protocols for blueberry maggot, partially developed by this program, were used by commercial growers to certify exports to Canada in cooperation with the NJ Department of Agriculture. These exports comprise from $10 to $12 million in sales, and are instrumental in maintaining the fresh market price for domestic NJ blueberry sales. Additional audiences include pest management professionals, county extension agents, policy makers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Statewide Coordination of NJ IPM Outreach and Delivery Program: In FY13/14 the Coordinator coordinated 6 grower supported statewide IPM programs for the blueberry, greenhouse, nursery, tree fruit, and vegetable growers and oversaw school IPM educational activities. This was done through in-person, conference call and Skype meetings to access program development, needs and issues. An annual stakeholder advisory meeting was held that included representatives from Rutgers University, state government, advocacy groups and grower organizations. The results of this meeting were made available to the previously mentioned IPM programs. The coordinator represented the NJ Ag Experiment Station on the DEP's IPM Task Force and served as the NJ representative to the NEREAP-IPM Committee. The coordinator currently chairs this committee. The coordinator responded to questions regarding NJ's IPM programs and pesticide usage from state and federal partners and the general public. IPM in High Value/High Input or Intensely Managed Crops: Blueberry growers were educated about novel management methods for a variety of blueberry pests. Primary participants included 43 growers (75% of state production). Through demonstrations, articles, county reports and other outreach, public awareness on IPM was improved. Articles appeared in 2 blogs. Over 1400 field visits were made for the purposes of data collection and recommendations. Informational updates and reports were given at 10 grower meetings. Tree fruit growers and industry personnel were trained throughout the season and at two annual winter meetings. Primary participants included 24 and 17 growers in northern and southern NJ respectively. A broadcast fax service was used in Atlantic, Hunterdon and Gloucester Counties to advise of timely pest events and supplement the Plant and Pest Advisory and Blueberry Bulletin blogs. Grower meetings reached a total of ~200 farmers. Acreage impacted by primary participants totaled 75% of all state tree fruit acreage. Over 1600 field visits were made to farms for scouting, training and recommendation purposes. Informational updates and reports were given with 11 presentations at 7 grower meetings. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Blueberry growers used IPM practices based on scouting, farm consultations, newsletters and meeting information. Pests were managed using intensive monitoring, GIS based data collection, pesticide record keeping, and trapping of key pests. Growers managing blueberry maggot with IPM reduced insecticide costs similar to the reductions seen in previous years. Growers who practiced high level IPM, used 60% less pesticides per acre compared to growers using calendar schedules. Reduced risk and non-OP/carbamate alternatives were encouraged for principal pests. New practices such as mating disruption and whole farm GIS based monitoring were utilized by growers. The program trained 8 students and seasonal workers, and 1 farm employee as IPM scouts. The tree fruit program demonstrated reduced risk methods to manage oriental fruit moth, tarnished plant bug, stink bugs and 2 peach tree borer species on commercial farms. Pesticide records collected at the end of the season were used to measure program impact. Several growers used mating disruption in peaches to reduce oriental fruit moth and codling moth populations thereby reducing insecticide applications by 50%. Approximately 60% of growers used alternative, reduced risk insecticides and 80% of growers used reduced risk fungicides. Weekly IPM recommendations led to pest free fruit valued at ~$40 million statewide. BMSB has become a severe threat to fruit production, as well as many of the IPM practices that form the core of fruit pest management systems. Because this insect seems to respond only to repeated use of harsh chemistries, it may challenge fruit IPM programs over the next several years. Given the severe damage caused by brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in 2010, whole farm programs were initiated for BMSB control in 2011 for those farms that sustained damage in 2010. In 2013 and 2014 BMSB management using border sprays was demonstrated. This tactic demonstrated that control could be achieved using considerably less insecticides.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Ward, D, D. Polk, N. Lalancette, B. Majek and G. Hamilton. 2013 New Jersey Tree Fruit Production Guide (Rutgers Cooperative Extension E002).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Rodrigues-Saona, C., D. Polk, P. Oudemans, B. Majek and N. Vorsa. 2013 The Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey (Rutgers Cooperative Extension E265.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Rodrigues-Saona, C., D. Polk, P. Oudemans, B. Majek and N. Vorsa. 2014 The Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey (Rutgers Cooperative Extension E265.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Ward, D, D. Polk, N. Lalancette, B. Majek and G. Hamilton. 2014 New Jersey Tree Fruit Production Guide (Rutgers Cooperative Extension E002).
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Statewide Coordination of NJ IPM Outreach and Delivery Program: In FY10 the Coordinator coordinated 6 grower supported statewide IPM programs for the blueberry, greenhouse, nursery, tree fruit, and vegetable growers and oversaw school IPM educational activities. This was done through in-person, conference call and Skype meetings to access program development, needs and issues. An annual stakeholder advisory meeting was held that included representatives from Rutgers University, state government, advocacy groups and grower organizations. The results of this meeting were made available to the previously mentioned IPM programs. The coordinator represented the NJ Ag Experiment Station on the DEP's IPM Task Force and served as the NJ representative to the NEREAP-IPM Committee. The coordinator responded to questions regarding NJ's IPM programs and pesticide usage from state and federal partners and the general public. IPM in High Value/High Input or Intensely Managed Crops: Blueberry growers were educated about novel management methods for a variety of blueberry pests. Primary participants included 43 growers (4986 acres; 66% of state acreage; 75% of state production). Through demonstrations, articles, county reports and other outreach, public awareness on IPM was improved. Articles appeared in 2 newsletters with 45 editions and 320 subscribers. Web-based versions received 7,359 downloads. Over 1480 field visits were made for the purposes of data collection and recommendations. Informational updates and reports were given at 10 grower meetings (~600 growers). Tree fruit growers and industry personnel were trained throughout the season and at several annual winter meetings. Primary participants included 24 and 17 growers in northern and southern NJ respectively. During FY11, primary participants produced tree fruit on 3,759 acres. A broadcast fax service was used in Atlantic, Hunterdon and Gloucester Counties to advise of timely pest events and supplement the Plant and Pest Advisory and Blueberry Bulletin Newsletters. Grower meetings reached a total of ~200 farmers. Weekly articles (24) were written in a statewide newsletter (total circulation - 177 subscribers in NJ and 9 other states). Acreage impacted by primary participants totaled 75% of all state tree fruit acreage. Over 1700 field visits were made to farms for scouting, training and recommendation purposes. Informational updates and reports were given with 11 presentations at 7 grower meetings (349 growers). IPM Training & Implementation in Housing - Delivery of Proven Bed Bug Management Strategies: During FY11 video clips were posted to www.youtube.com. In addition, video clips were distributed via emails to audiences in NJ. Twenty five oral presentations were delivered to NJ audiences. Housing authorities, health officers, pest management professionals, lawyers, landlords, and residents are more aware of the bed bug epidemics and are more prepared in dealing with bed bug infestations. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals- Dean Polk, Department of Agricultural and Resource Management Agents, (co PI). Coordinated the blueberry and tree fruit IPM programs, supervised and trained program associate staff, coordinated and wrote newsletter articles and made grower presentations, and coordinated on-farm research/demonstrations. Partner Organizations- Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, NJ Blueberry Industry Advisory Council, NJ Blueberry Cranberry Research Council, NJ State Horticultural Society Collaborators and Contacts- RCRE collaborators include: Specialists - Cesar Rodriguez-Saona, Peter Oudemans, Norman Lalancette, Brad Majek, and George Hamilton; Agricultural Agents - Winfred Cowgill, Jerome Frecon, Gary Pavlis, Peter Nitzche. New Jersey Department of Agriculture, NJ DEP-Bureau of Pesticide Control, USDA/NRCS Farm Services-EQIP Program Training or Professional Development - In total, the program directly addressed 43 commercial blueberry growers, 41 tree fruit growers and 6 wine grape growers, defined as primary participants. Commercial growers were trained at 2 state meetings, 1 out of state meeting and 9 update meetings with a total audience contact of 1497 people. Ten undergraduate students were trained as seasonal IPM field scouts for both blueberry, grape and tree fruit pests, and one full time and 2 part time farm IPM employees were trained. One post-doctoral fellow was trained in blueberry IPM and GIS based monitoring. TARGET AUDIENCES: The principal audiences consist of commercial tree fruit and blueberry growers statewide. Blueberry production in focused in Atlantic and Burlington counties (Hammonton, Pemberton through Browns Mills and New Lisbon areas). Wholesale tree fruit production is largely in Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland counties, and direct market tree fruit production is in Burlington, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren, Morris, Sussex, Monmouth, Middlesex and Bergen Counties. In total, the program directly addressed 42 commercial blueberry growers and 42 tree fruit growers, defined as primary participants. Commercial growers were trained out of state in two meeting in PA. A blueberry IPM training course addressed 23 growers in Burkes County, PA, and over 100 growers were addressed in a half day IPM training session in Hershey, PA in February. Sevin undergraduate students were trained as seasonal IPM field scouts for both blueberry and tree fruit pests, and one full time farm IPM employee was trained. One post-doctoral fellow was trained in blueberry IPM and GIS based monitoring. The results of program activities were presented in field meetings, twilight and other grower meetings, newsletters, Web downloads, and annual recommendations. Third party food safety auditors used the presence of the program to certify food safety standards, and one large marketer used program participation for both food safety audits and marketing purposes. Pest specific monitoring protocols for blueberry maggot, partially developed by this program, were used by commercial growers to certify exports to Canada in cooperation with the NJ Department of Agriculture. These exports comprise from $10 to $12 million in sales, and are instrumental in maintaining the fresh market price for domestic NJ blueberry sales. Additional audiences include school nurses, health officers, lawyers, probation officers, environmental health workers, not-for-profit organizations, housing authority staff and residents, pest management professionals, county extension agents, policy makers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Blueberry growers used IPM practices based on scouting, farm consultations, newsletters and meeting information. Pests were managed using intensive monitoring, GIS based data collection, pesticide record keeping, and trapping of key pests. Growers managing blueberry maggot with IPM reduced insecticide costs between $103/A to $46/A (55% reduction). OP and carbamate insecticide use was minimized. Growers who practiced high level IPM, used 6-8 lb ai of pesticide per acre compared to growers using calendar schedules (30 lb ai/A). The average grower saved ~$100/A. Reduced risk and non-OP/ carbamate alternatives were encouraged for principal pests. New practices such as mating disruption and whole farm GIS based monitoring were demonstrated. Research/demonstration trials for Oriental beetle mating disruption showed that the beetle could be managed without soil applied insecticides. The program trained 8 students and seasonal workers, and 1 farm employee as IPM scouts. The tree fruit program demonstrated reduced risk methods to manage oriental fruit moth, tarnished plant bug, stink bugs and 2 peach tree borer species on commercial farms. Degree-day models were updated and used by growers. Pesticide records collected at the end of the season were used to measure program impact. Twelve growers used mating disruption in peaches for oriental fruit moth and codling moth eliminated 5-7 insecticide applications reducing insecticide use by 12 lb/acre. About 65% of growers used alternative, reduced risk insecticides and 80% of growers used reduced risk fungicides. Some growers reduced pesticide use by 26-80% compared to standard spray schedules. Use of degree day pest models reduced insecticide use by 40% compared to standard calendar spray methods. Weekly IPM recommendations led to pest free fruit valued at $48 million statewide. BMSB has become a severe threat to fruit production, as well as many of the IPM practices that form the core of fruit pest management systems. Because this insect seems to respond only to repeated use of harsh chemistries, it may challenge fruit IPM programs over the next several years. Given the severe damage caused by brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in 2010, whole farm programs were initiated for BMSB control in 2011 for those farms that sustained damage in 2010. While BMSB management has produced challenges for IPM programming, little damage was found in 2011 compared to 2010. Seminars/videos for the public introduced bed bug biology, behavior, and demonstrated integrated control methods that emphasized prevention, monitoring, and use of cultural/non-chemical methods. Surveys after seminars show that the following behaviors changed: avoid used furniture, apply repellent when in infested rooms, avoid insecticide sprays for bed bug control, use washing/drying to fabric materials of bed bugs, avoid clutter to reduce bed bugs, use freezing to kill bed bugs in non-washable items, install monitors/traps and use mattress covers to reduce insecticide applications and insecticide exposure. Significantly fewer infestations and complaints were reported from two housing authorities who adopted integrated pest management programs.
Publications
- Ward, D, D. Polk, N. Lalancette, B. Majek and G. Hamilton. 2012 New Jersey Tree Fruit Production Guide (Rutgers Cooperative Extension E002). Rodrigues-Saona, C., D. Polk, P. Oudemans, B. Majek and N. Vorsa. 2012 The Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey (Rutgers Cooperative Extension E265. Polk, D. 2012. The Blueberry Bulletin Newsletter, 22 issues. Polk, D. 2012. Plant and Pest Advisory Newsletter, 32 issues.
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Statewide Coordination of NJ IPM Outreach and Delivery Program: In FY10 the Coordinator coordinated 6 grower supported statewide IPM programs for the blueberry, greenhouse, nursery, tree fruit, and vegetable growers and oversaw school IPM educational activities. This was done through in-person, conference call and Skype meetings to access program development, needs and issues. An annual stakeholder advisory meeting was held that included representatives from Rutgers University, state government, advocacy groups and grower organizations. The results of this meeting were made available to the previously mentioned IPM programs. The coordinator represented the NJ Ag Experiment Station on the DEP's IPM Task Force and served as the NJ representative to the NEREAP-IPM Committee. The coordinator responded to questions regarding NJ's IPM programs and pesticide usage from state and federal partners and the general public and provided testimony to the NJ senate on the impacts of a proposed fertilizer bill and the brown marmorated stink bug on current IPM programs. IPM in High Value/High Input or Intensely Managed Crops: Blueberry growers were educated about novel management methods for a variety of blueberry pests. Primary participants included 43 growers (49860 acres; 66% of state acreage; 75% of state production). Through demonstrations, articles, county reports and other outreach, public awareness on IPM was improved. Articles appeared in 2 newsletters with 45 editions and 320 subscribers. Web-based versions received 10,707 downloads. Over 1480 field visits were made for the purposes of data collection and recommendations. Informational updates and reports were given at 10 grower meetings (631 growers). Tree fruit growers and industry personnel were trained throughout the season and at several annual winter meetings. Primary participants included 24 and 19 growers in northern and southern NJ respectively. During 2010, primary participants produced tree fruit on 3,759 acres. A broadcast fax service was used in Atlantic, Hunterdon and Gloucester Counties to advise of timely pest events and supplement the Plant and Pest Advisory and Blueberry Bulletin Newsletters. Grower meetings reached a total of 236 farmers. Weekly articles (24) were written in a statewide newsletter (total circulation - 177 subscribers in NJ and 9 other states). Acreage impacted by primary participants totaled 75% of all state tree fruit acreage. Over 1691 field visits were made to farms for scouting, training and recommendation purposes. Informational updates and reports were given with 11 presentations at 7 grower meetings (349 growers). IPM Training & Implementation in Housing - Delivery of Proven Bed Bug Management Strategies: During FY10 five video clips were posted to www.youtube.com. As of May 16, 2011, 647 visitors had viewed the videos. In addition, video clips were distributed via emails to audiences in NJ. Nineteen oral presentations were delivered to NJ audiences. Housing authorities, health officers, pest management professionals, lawyers, landlords, and residents are more aware of the bed bug epidemics and are more prepared in dealing with bed bug infestations. PARTICIPANTS: Partner Organizations - Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders, NJ Blueberry Industry Advisory Council, NJ Blueberry Cranberry Research Council, NJ State Horticultural Society, New Jersey Turfgrass Association, New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association Collaborators and Contacts - Rutgers University: Drs. Cesar Rodriguez-Saona, Peter Oudemans, Norman Lalancette, Brad Majek, and George Hamilton; Agricultural Agents - Winfred Cowgill, Jerome Frecon, Dr. Gary Pavlis, and Peter Nitzche; State Agencies - New Jersey Department of Agriculture CAPS Program, New Jersey DEP Pesticide Control Program. TARGET AUDIENCES: The principal audiences consist of commercial tree fruit and blueberry growers statewide. Blueberry production in focused in Atlantic and Burlington counties (Hammonton, Pemberton through Browns Mills and New Lisbon areas). Wholesale tree fruit production is largely in Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland counties, and direct market tree fruit production is in Burlington, Mercer, Hunterdon, Warren, Morris, Sussex, Monmouth, Middlesex and Bergen Counties. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Blueberry growers used IPM practices based on scouting, farm consultations, newsletters and meeting information (verified by collecting/analyzing grower pesticide use records). Three growers participated in NRCS EQIP IPM programs. New IPM programs utilized new reduced risk materials and practices. Pests were managed using intensive monitoring, GIS based data collection, pesticide record keeping, and trapping of key pests. Growers managing blueberry maggot with IPM methods reduced insecticide costs between $103/A to $46/A (55% reduction). Pesticide use including OP and carbamate insecticides was minimized. Growers who practiced high level IPM, used 6-8 lb ai of pesticide per acre compared to growers using calendar schedules (30 lb ai/A). The average IPM grower saved about $100/A. Reduced risk and non-OP/ carbamate alternatives were encouraged for principal pests. For example, only 30% of aphid controls were OP and carbamate materials. New practices such as mating disruption and whole farm GIS based monitoring were demonstrated. Research/demonstration trials for Oriental beetle mating disruption showed that the beetle could be managed without soil applied insecticides. The program trained 8 students and seasonal workers, and 1 farm employee as IPM scouts. The tree fruit program demonstrated reduced risk methods to manage oriental fruit moth, tarnished plant bug, stink bugs and 2 peach tree borer species on commercial farms. Degree-day models were updated and used by growers. Pesticide records collected at the end of the season were used to measure program impact. Twelve growers used mating disruption in peaches for oriental fruit moth and codling moth eliminated 5-7 insecticide applications reducing insecticide use by 12 lb/acre. About 65% of growers used alternative, reduced risk insecticides and 80% of growers used reduced risk fungicides. Some growers reduced pesticide use by 26-80% compared to standard spray schedules. Use of degree day pest models reduced insecticide use by 40% compared to standard calendar spray methods. Weekly IPM recommendations led to pest free fruit valued at $48 million statewide. Fertility tests showed sufficient to excessive phosphorous levels at some sites resulting decreased phosphorous use. A monitoring program established for brown marmorated stink bug found average losses of 58% to peaches/apples, with up to 90% losses in some locations. Seminars/videos for the public introduced bed bug biology, behavior, and demonstrated integrated control methods that emphasized prevention, monitoring, and use of cultural/non-chemical methods. Surveys after seminars show that the following behaviors changed: avoid used furniture, apply repellent when in infested rooms, avoid insecticide sprays for bed bug control, use washing/drying to fabric materials of bed bugs, avoid clutter to reduce bed bugs, use freezing to kill bed bugs in non-washable items, install monitors/traps and use mattress covers to reduce insecticide applications and insecticide exposure. Significantly fewer infestations and complaints were reported from two housing authorities who adopted integrated pest management programs.
Publications
- Ward, D.L., G.C. Hamilton, J.R. Heckman, N. Lalancette, B.A. Majek and D.F. Polk. 2011. New Jersey Tree Fruit Production Guide. Rutgers Cooperative Extension Bulletin E002
- Majek, B.A., P. Oudemans and D.F. Polk. 2011. The Commercial Blueberry Pest Control Recommendations for New Jersey. Rutgers Cooperative Extension Bulletin E265
- Wang, C., W. Tsai, R. Cooper, and J. White. 2011. Effectiveness of bed bug monitors for detecting and trapping bed bugs in apartments. Journal of Economic Entomology 104: 274-278.
- Polk, D.F. 2011. The Plant and Pest Advisory Newsletter Fruit Edition. Articles in 24 issues
- Polk, D.F. 2011. The Plant and Pest Advisory Newsletter Blueberry Edition. Articles in 45 issues
- Wang C., Wen X. 2011. Bed Bug Infestations and Control Practices in China: Implications for Fighting the Global Bed Bug Resurgence. Insects. 2: 83-95.
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