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
Vegetable IPM – Gardening from the Ground Up! Meet our Day Two (virtual) Conference Speakers
Join in with other garden lovers! Two virtual half days: Tuesday, April 27, and Wednesday, April 28, 2021. REGISTER TODAY. Registration closes April 21 Open to the public via Zoom. Registered participants will receive a USB flash-drive containing all resources mentioned during the conference upon completing an evaluation after the meeting. DAY TWO: WELCOME MESSAGE- …Continue Reading Vegetable IPM – Gardening from the Ground Up! Meet our Day Two (virtual) Conference Speakers
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
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
A Look Back at our Beneficial Habitat Events
On Wednesday September 25th, Dr. Amara Dunn, Dr. Betsy Lamb, and Senior Extension Educator Brian Eshenaur hosted a Beneficial Habitat Open House. Guests could compare establishment methods, see some of the insects caught in our plots, or just enjoy the flowers. Thursday September 26th was the Planting for Beneficial Habitat Twilight meeting. Attendees learned how…Continue Reading A Look Back at our Beneficial Habitat Events
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
Senior Worm Wrangler Safeguards North Country Crops, wins Excellence in IPM Award
Press Release by Mariah Courtney Mottley. Media contact: Jaime Cummings Elson Shields, a Cornell entomology professor, 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 on the Musgrave Research Farm. NYSIPM develops sustainable ways to manage pests and…Continue Reading Senior Worm Wrangler Safeguards North Country Crops, wins Excellence in IPM Award
Pollinator Protection Resources
More and more homeowners and small-gardeners are choosing to reduce or end their use of pesticides. Not just for the health of their family and pets, but to reduce the risk of harming pollinators. Growers and farmers have multiple reasons to reduce pesticide use: reduced cost, reduced health risk to their families and employees,…Continue Reading Pollinator Protection Resources