We can’t leave out diseases. Let’s go back to the cover crop. One potential downside to growing organic rye is ergot infection. Claviceps purpurea is a parasitic fungus that can infect rye and other cereal crops. The sclerotia of the ergot fungus contains alkaloids which can be fatal to livestock and humans if ingested. Scout…Continue Reading “Weeds in Organic Squash Production” Part Three: Disease Concerns, and a Look Back Over the Season
“Weeds in Organic Squash Production” Part Two: But What About Insects?
Insects! Plant it and they will come. Or not. In a research farm setting, unlike a commercial farm, we actually WANT pests to show up so we can conduct a trial. But sometimes we plant it and they don’t come… In fact, there’s a joke that if you want a pest to disappear for a…Continue Reading “Weeds in Organic Squash Production” Part Two: But What About Insects?
“Weeds in Organic Winter Squash Production” A Look at 2021’s Field Research: Part One
Our next series of posts looks at a 2021 field trial by NYSIPM’s Bryan Brown, Marcus Lopez, and Abby Seaman. For full details, read their complete posts throughout the season.: What’s the best way to manage weeds in organic winter squash? Many farmers use black plastic mulch. Others cultivate. And small-scale farms may spread straw…Continue Reading “Weeds in Organic Winter Squash Production” A Look at 2021’s Field Research: Part One
2019-2020 Annual Report: Pepper Problems Don’t Have to Prevail!
In an effort to improve growers’ understanding of cultural practices, host plant resistance, and use of biological or chemical controls, Vegetable IPM Extension Area Educator Marion Zuefle ran one-on-one IPM field demonstrations with three NY farmers in 2019. Her initial interviews pointed to typical pepper pest issues like aphids, thrips, mites, European corn borer, and…Continue Reading 2019-2020 Annual Report: Pepper Problems Don’t Have to Prevail!
Buy Local Christmas Trees
“Freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin, inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night.” – John Geddes Fresh cut Christmas trees look and smell beautiful. But did you ever stop to consider how these and other agricultural products support local businesses and local economies? It’s hard to see…Continue Reading Buy Local Christmas Trees
Cover Crop’s Double Success for Soybeans
Mature fields of grain crops moving in the wind is a lovely sight. Having admired the beauty of ‘cereal rye’ in a field, I asked NYSIPM Integrated Weed Management Specialist Dr. Bryan Brown if rye has been part of successful weed suppression efforts. The answer is yes, but even better, there’s anti-fungal benefits too….Continue Reading Cover Crop’s Double Success for Soybeans
NYS IPM’s Best of 2019
“None of us is as smart as all of us.” –Ken Blanchard Each year, NYS IPM staff are busy blogging about relevant topics. Here’s a recap of some of our more popular 2019 offerings: ThinkIPM is our catchall blog and a great way to keep a pulse on what’s happening in New York State IPM….Continue Reading NYS IPM’s Best of 2019
Weeding Now Reduces Weeds Later
Summer annual weeds start flowering in early August, so it’s important to control them beforehand to prevent seed production. This is true for commercial growers and for homeowners. One of the most prolific is waterhemp, a bane to growers because it’s also resistant to herbicides. According to our INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST, DR. BRYAN BROWN,…Continue Reading Weeding Now Reduces Weeds Later
Onion Growers Put Skin in the Game, Earn Excellence in IPM Award
Elba onion growers, Matt Mortellaro, Guy Smith, Chuck Barie, Emmaline Long, and Mark and Max Torrey received an Excellence in IPM Award from the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program. The six are muck onion farmers in Elba, NY who meet weekly during the growing season for what is known as Muck Donut Hour,…Continue Reading Onion Growers Put Skin in the Game, Earn Excellence in IPM Award
North Country Cutworm Crusader Mike Hunter receives an EXCELLENCE IN IPM Award
Press Release by Mariah Courtney Mottley. Media contact: Jaime Cummings Mike Hunter, a field crops specialist in the Cornell Cooperative Extension North Country Regional Ag Team, received an Excellence in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Award from the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program (NYSIPM) at Cornell University’s Aurora Farm Field Day. Hunter was…Continue Reading North Country Cutworm Crusader Mike Hunter receives an EXCELLENCE IN IPM Award