“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese proverb When it comes to integrated pest management, we talk, a lot, about prevention. Keeping mice and brown marmorated stink bugs out is preferable to dealing with them once they’re in your house. So remember those…Continue Reading What’s Bugging You? – Missed Opportunities
No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. – Proverb Okay, weeds in your lawn might not be a problem right now. But it always amazes me how we go from yearning to see any growth at all to being two weeks behind in weeding. So in the interest of getting ahead,…Continue Reading What’s Bugging You? – Weeds in the Lawn
The “Expo” is Virtual this year and begins the week of February 21, 2022 The New York State Integrated Pest Management Program is proud to be part of this annual event. Bryan Brown talks weed management on Thursday of Week Two. After postponing the in-person 2022 Empire State Producers Expo due to the spike in…Continue Reading IPM at the Empire State Producers (Virtual) Expo – Week Two
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
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?
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
A big thank you again to both our speakers and our attendees. You made this year’s virtual conference a huge success! Here are some questions that came into the chat during the conference: Pam W: Is using pesticide treated seeds considered organic? Steve Reiners answers: Pesticide treated seeds would not be allowed in a certified…Continue Reading Questions and Suggested Links from our VEGETABLE IPM CONFERENCE, April 2021
Bryan Brown, PhD, Integrated Weed Management Specialist, New York State IPM, Cornell University announces a new podcast. (links below!) With long hours in the tractor, some farmers are starting to listen to podcasts to stay entertained. Extension educators are picking up on this trend, creating educational material meant to be played in the tractor. Farmers…Continue Reading Get “Into the Weeds” with New Podcast!
I love any excuse to come to New York — when it’s not February. — K. A. Applegate Ahh, February. The Monday of months. Yet even with a foot of snow on the ground over most of New York, you can take steps now for a healthy lawn. First Step: Plan To help with planning,…Continue Reading Lawn IPM – the February 2021 Edition
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