If you live in a region bordering southwest NY or eastern NY these two simultaneous workshops might be of interest to you! Wednesday, September 15 from 4-6 pm. The Stephentown, NY Workshop has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 5, due to severe weather on September 15, 2021.

Join Cornell Berry Team Members for a two-hour review of Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) management techniques. We'll cover the basics of SWD monitoring of adult and larval populations and also discuss implementing a pesticide program. Two locations — you choose the best for you:

• The Berry Patch, 15589 State Route 22, Stephentown, NY 12168 - now on October 5.
• Abers Acres, Abers Acres, Route 394, Kennedy, NY 14747

The program will focus on what has been learned about designing an exclusion netting support system that provides long term control of SWD and maximum utility for berry farmers.

Exclusion netting is being used on field blueberries where it controls SWD while also excluding birds and moderating impacts of hail and heavy rain. Raspberries and strawberries also benefit from exclusion netting on the sides of high tunnels.

1.5 DEC credits available in categories 1A, 10, and 22

REGISTER HERE - https://enych.cce.cornell.edu/event_preregistration_new.php?id=1567

AGENDA - Stephentown, 4-6 PM, Wednesday, September 15  Now on Tuesday, October 5

4:00 pm       Welcome and Introductions & NYS DEC credit sign-up - Laura McDermott, CCE ENYCHP

4:05 pm       Brief Overview of SWD - Laura McDermott, CCE ENYCHP.  Insect monitoring, fruit infestation monitoring, insecticide management and cultural management techniques will be discussed

4:20 pm       Overview of Exclusion Netting - Dale Ila Riggs, The Berry Patch and Ted Storozum, TekKnit, Quebec CA.  Brief review of work undertaken and effectiveness of netting in open field and high tunnel systems. Discussion of adaptations made to netting material and the need for structural design.

4:50 pm       Structural Considerations when Installing Exclusion Netting - Chris Callahan, University of Vermont and Paul Lucas from Gintec, Ontario, CA.  The past two seasons have provided lots of new information about designing the support structure for Exclusion Netting. We have been able to revise the design leading to a more lean and lower cost structure as we adapt it from ginseng production systems. Gintec owner Paul Lucas has played a critical advisory role in this portion of the project and has decades of experience with protected agriculture systems. Cost information for the SWD exclusion netting and structure will be included.

5:20 pm       Exclusion Netting on Fall Raspberries - Dale Ila Riggs, The Berry Patch.  Research on using field netting for fall raspberries and incorporating it into a high tunnel system.

5:30 pm       Views from Other Growers - TBD.  Growers that have adopted exclusion netting will share their successes and struggles with the netting.

5:45 pm       Hands-On Removal of Netting  Attendees will watch and assist with removal of netting panels to better understand the requirements and ease of using netting. Netting storage and winter care will be discussed.

AGENDA - Kennedy, 4-6 PM, Wednesday, September 15

4:00 pm       Welcome and Introductions & NYS DEC credit sign-up - Anya Osatuke, CCE Harvest NY

4:05 pm       Brief Overview of SWD - Greg Loeb, Cornell University.  Insect monitoring, fruit infestation monitoring, insecticide management and cultural management techniques will be discussed

4:20 pm       Overview of Exclusion Netting - Greg Loeb and Stephen Hesler, Cornell University.  Brief review of work undertaken and effectiveness of netting in open field and high tunnel systems. Discussion of adaptations made to netting material and the need for structural design.

4:50 pm       Structural Considerations when Installing Exclusion Netting - Stephen Hesler, Cornell University and John Abers, Abers Acres.  The past two seasons have provided lots of new information about designing the support structure for Exclusion Netting, but every farm is unique and Abers Acres owner will discuss how they installed the netting. This installation benefited from the lessons learned during the prior year's installation at The Berry Patch and uses fewer posts in the support structure leading to reduced cost and labor. Cost information about the SWD exclusion netting and structure will be included.

5:20 pm       Exclusion Netting on Fall Raspberries - Greg Loeb, Cornell University.  Research on using field netting for fall raspberries and incorporating it into a high tunnel system.

5:30 pm      Views from Other Growers - TBD.  Growers that have adopted exclusion netting will share their successes and struggles with the netting.

5:45 pm       Hands-On Removal of Netting  Attendees will watch and assist with removal of netting panels to better understand the requirements and ease of using netting. Netting storage and winter care will be discussed.

REGISTER HERE - https://enych.cce.cornell.edu/event_preregistration_new.php?id=1567

Thank you to the New York State Berry Growers Association for sponsoring these meetings. This research is partially funded with support from Northeast SARE.

This post was contributed by Laura McDermott and Anya Osatuke.

Want to move away from herbicide reliance? Are you using novel technologies to manage weeds? We want to know about it to inform our weed science research. Weed Technology Survey link: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEpfAijoP7puQDP

As you know, weeds can be a significant problem in berries, tree fruits, tree nuts, and vine crops (e.g. grapes, hops, etc.) especially after transplanting and during flowering and fruit set. Despite herbicide resistance limiting efficacy and off-target risk of phytotoxicity damage to trunks, shoots, leaves and flowers, herbicides remain a primary tool for managing weeds. Many growers are transitioning to organic systems to address consumer preferences or satisfy export markets.

Novel technologies in perennial cropping systems such as automated harvesters and pruners and canopy sensing sprayers can reduce labor costs and the amount of pesticides applied to bushes, trees, and vines. Novel weed control tools that eliminate or reduce the need for herbicides are actively being developed and marketed. These new technologies could play an increasingly large role in future crop production, particularly in high-value specialty crops that 1) have limited herbicide options, 2) are sensitive to herbicide injury, and 3) are heavily reliant on a labor market that is simultaneously growing more scarce and more expensive.

A team of weed scientists from University of California Davis, Oregon State University, and Cornell University are asking berry, tree fruit, tree nut, and vine crop growers to take 5 to 10 minutes and answer this short and anonymous survey.  Weed Technology Survey link: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEpfAijoP7puQDP

Tell us about your current weed management practices and your interest in novel technologies, like vision-guided sprayers and cultivators, and electric, steam, and pressurized water weeders. This will help us plan future research and extension projects on weed management with your needs in mind.

There’s always a chance that we forgot to include some amazing tools that are emerging on the horizon; please feel free to e-mail Lynn Sosnoskie at lms438@cornell.edu and let her know what you think the future of weed control looks like.

Thanks for your time! We appreciate your support of weed science research.

Weed Technology Survey link: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEpfAijoP7puQDP

This post contributed by Lynn M Sosnoskie, PhD, Assistant Professor, Weed Ecology and Management for Specialty Crops, School of Integrative Plant Sciences - Horticulture Section, 221 Hedrick Hall, Cornell AgriTech, Geneva NY 14456, lms438@cornell.edu. Twitter: @vegfruitweedsci  Instagram: specialtycropweedscience

Access or listen to this 1.5-hr-long webinar to learn about research advances that will inform your SWD management tactics! Presented by members of the Sustainable SWD Management team. You can access it on the Sustainable Spotted Wing Drosophila Management, swdmanagement.org/, webpage or watch it on YouTube, A Decade of SWD: Lessons for Management at youtu.be/Rk-e13Gov24.

A decade of SWD: Lessons for management

Their latest knowledge on:

• SWD populations
• crop risk
• insecticide efficacy
• biological control
• cultural & behavioral controls
• how to apply this knowledge in your IPM programs

Was recorded, along with the discussion session during the event that took place on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 12:00 PM

Presenters hailed from:

• Cornell University
• Rutgers University
• North Carolina State University
• Michigan State University
• University of Maine
• University of California
• Oregon State University
• Washington State University
• University of Georgia
• USDA ARS

Contact Hannah Burrack, hjburrac@ncsu.edu, with questions.

Dr. Burrack is Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University.

Access the entire webinar on the Sustainable Spotted Wing Drosophila Management, swdmanagement.org/, webpage and watch it on YouTube, A Decade of SWD: Lessons for Management at youtu.be/Rk-e13Gov24.

This Friday! November 13th at 1:00 pm attend this one-hour zoom forum hosted by Cornell CALS Office of Land Grant Affairs. Learn about urban rats, digital decision support tools, IPM's cherry save, and — what?! — Yes, suppressing plant diseases with light!

For a snapshot view of advances in IPM and IPM stories, including our story about SWD in cherries, listen to the IPM Forum from 1 to 2 pm on November 13^th.

Register through this link: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dHC0cMXqSGGKIhUlPerEOw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

NYS IPM Forum Invite

IPM Forum: New Tools of IPM

Free and open to the public; log onto the zoom webinar at 12:50 pm. Start time is 1:00 pm sharp.

Welcome from Julie Suarez, CALS Associate Dean

Opening remarks from Commissioner Richard Ball, NYS Dept. of Ag & Markets

1:10 - History & definition of IPM, Alejandro Calixto, NYS IPM Program Director

1:17 - Digital decision support tools, Dan Olmstead, NYS IPM NEWA network

1:25 - IPM's cherry save, Juliet Carroll, Fruit IPM

1:32 - Urban rats, Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, Community IPM

1:39 - Suppressing plant diseases with light, David Gadoury, Plant Pathology, Cornell AgriTech

1:50 to 2:00 - Q&A with Julie Suarez

The forum is targeting NYS legislators but it is also open to all the public. Please extend the invitation to all of your cooperators and stakeholders.

We will be recording the forum and it will be available for those unable to attend. The link will be posted on this blog for your convenience.

NYS IPM Forum Invite

Please register through this link: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dHC0cMXqSGGKIhUlPerEOw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Extension and Research projects sponsored by Cornell AgriTech and USDA-NIFA.

The New York State IPM Program is funded by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Contact: Julie Suarez, Cornell CALS Associate Dean, jcs433@cornell.edu 

New York State Agencies encourage the public to report findings of the invasive pest, spotted lanternfly. As of August 14, 2020, it was confirmed that spotted lanternfly (SLF), an invasive pest from Asia, has been found on Staten Island. The New York State Departments of Agriculture and Markets (AGM), Environmental Conservation (DEC), and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) confirmed that several live, adult insects were discovered by OPRHP staff in Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve. 

AGM urges New Yorkers to report potential sightings using the SLF web reporting tool found here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a08d60f6522043f5bd04229e00acdd63

This destructive pest feeds on more than 70 plant species, including tree-of-heaven, and plants and crops that are critical to New York’s agricultural economy, such as sugar maple, apple trees, grapevines, and hops. Adults are out now and are strikingly large with black polka dots. They'll be mating, laying eggs, and feeding on sap from August through October and even into December, depending on the onset of frosts. 

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “The Department is working closely with its partners at the Department of Environmental Conservation, the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to mitigate the impacts of this destructive pest, which can weaken plants and have a devastating impact on agriculture.  While this find on Staten Island is concerning, New York State has taken strong actions to combat the establishment of SLF since 2017.  We will continue our work to survey and inspect high-risk areas and implement targeted management plans.  We also urge the public to be vigilant and report any suspected sightings of SLF to help slow the spread of this invasive.”

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Since spotted lanternfly was first discovered in neighboring states, DEC has worked aggressively with the State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, USDA and other partners to educate New Yorkers and take steps to prevent this invasive species from establishing itself in New York State. This invasive pest has the potential to severely impact and stress New York's forests, agricultural crops, and tourism industries. The first live find on Staten Island is concerning, but our goal remains to find spotted lanternfly early and prevent it from further entering New York State and limiting any serious threats to our natural resources.”

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “Spotted Lanternfly poses a troubling threat to the environment and agriculture of New York State but also to the quality of recreational opportunities and experiences we offer in our State Parks and public lands. I applaud our Parks’ environmental stewardship staff for identifying this pest, so New York State can quickly begin taking steps to slow its spread. Park visitors across the state can help in identifying and reporting this destructive pest, and I urge them to familiarize themselves with its signs.”

Following the finding by OPRHP, AGM, working with DEC, OPRHP, and the USDA, immediately began extensive surveys throughout the area.  Crews will continue to survey areas on Staten Island, develop management plans to slow SLF’s spread, and minimize the damage and impact from this invasive species.  AGM urges New Yorkers to report potential sightings using the SLF web reporting tool found here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a08d60f6522043f5bd04229e00acdd63

SLF feedings can stress plants, making them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects. SLF also excretes large amounts of sticky "honeydew," which attracts sooty molds that interfere with plant photosynthesis, negatively affecting the growth and fruit yield of plants, and impacting forest health. SLF also has the potential to significantly hinder quality of life and recreational activities due to the honeydew and the swarms of insects it attracts.

First discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, SLF has since been found in New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia and Virginia. Given the proximity to the Pennsylvania and New Jersey infestations, New York State is at high risk for infestation.

Since 2017, AGM, DEC, and OPRHP have taken an aggressive approach to keeping SLF from establishing in New York State, conducting surveys of high-risk areas across the State; inspecting nursery stock, stone shipments, and commercial transports from quarantine areas; and launching a comprehensive education and outreach campaign to enlist the public’s help in reporting SLF.

While these insects can jump and fly short distances, they spread primarily through human activity. SLF can lay their eggs on any number of surfaces, such as vehicles, stone, rusty metal, outdoor furniture, and firewood. Adult SLF can hitch rides in vehicles, on any outdoor item, or cling to clothing or hats, and be easily transported into and throughout New York.

The public is encouraged to thoroughly inspect vehicles, luggage and gear, and all outdoor items for egg masses and adult SLF before leaving areas with SLF, particularly in the counties of states in the quarantine area—Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia and Virginia.   If SLF adults are found, residents should remove them and scrape off all egg masses.

Residents can also help by allowing surveyors access to properties where SLF may be present.  Surveyors will be uniformed and will always provide identification.

Identifying SLF

Adult SLF are active from July to December. They are approximately one-inch long and half an inch wide at rest, with eye-catching wings. Adults begin laying eggs in September. Signs of an SLF infestation may include:

• Sap oozing or weeping from open wounds on tree trunks, which appear wet and give off fermented odors.
• One-inch-long egg masses that are brownish-gray, waxy and mud-like when new. Old egg masses are brown and scaly.
• Massive honeydew build-up under plants, sometimes with black sooty mold developing.

AGM urges New Yorkers to report potential sightings using the SLF web reporting tool found here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a08d60f6522043f5bd04229e00acdd63

Learn More About SLF

For more Information on Spotted Lanternfly, visit https://agriculture.ny.gov/spottedlanternfly.

The NYSIPM program, with AGM and DEC, has been monitoring and preparing for SLF since 2014. Find educational resources, pictures, distribution and quarantine maps, life cycles, guidance for travelers, etc., on the NYSIPM Spotted Lanternfly website, https://nysipm.cornell.edu/environment/invasive-species-exotic-pests/spotted-lanternfly/.

Press Release Contact:
Jola Szubielski, AGM | Jola.Szubielski@agriculture.ny.gov | 518-457-0752
Lori Severino, DEC | lori.severino@dec.ny.gov I 518-402-8000
Dan Keefe, Parks I News@parks.ny.gov I 518-486-1868

 

If you know people in the K-12 community, let them know about this year's IPM Conference, School IPM 2020: Where We've Been and What's Next. A virtual conference taking place on the mornings of August 11 and 18, 2020. Starting this Tuesday, August 11! Where? On Zoom, of course! The cost is only $15 per person or $25 for your entire school district's personnel. Click Here to Register!

This Sixth Annual NYS IPM conference brings together a wide range of speakers to address and discuss the status of school IPM adoption and where we need to go in the future. If you or your family is impacted by pests or pest management on and off school property, this virtual conference is for you.

Despite decades of promoting school IPM, bed bugs, cockroaches, lice, and mice continue to be a problem in schools. Part of the issue is lack of implementation of proven IPM techniques such as exclusion. Part of the issue is that some pests, like bed bugs, German cockroaches and lice arrive in backpacks, delivered supplies, and directly on students and staff. While schools often have plans in place to address these pests when they are discovered, it will take a wider community effort to prevent their introductions. Join us and learn about proven school IPM tactics!

Our keynote speaker, Lorraine Maxwell, will discuss “Healthy Environments for Learning”. Her research has found that school building conditions, which include conducive conditions for pests as well as the presence of pests, impact the school’s social climate, which directly impacts student performance. Meet the Keynote Speaker for the School IPM 2020 Conference in this IPM blog by Joellen Lampman, NYS IPM Program's School and Turfgrass IPM Extension Support Specialist.

How: Click Here to Register
Cost: $15 per person or $25 per school district

NYS Pesticide Applicator recertification credits have been awarded for the following categories: Core, 3A, 3B, 7A, 7F, and 8.

Individuals seeking credits will need to submit their applicator ID numbers when pre-registering. Further instructions will be sent upon pre-registering.

Spread the word to those you know who work in schools — across New York State and across the country!

Learn more about this year's IPM Conference on the NYS IPM web page, School IPM 2020: Where We've Been and What's Next, https://nysipm.cornell.edu/resources/nys-ipm-conferences/school-ipm-2020-where-weve-been-and-whats-next/.

Have a healthy and safe school year, everyone!

“Our office has received questions from a few New Yorkers who have received unsolicited packages allegedly sent from China that are marked as containing jewelry (or other items) but which actually contain plant seeds. Similar packages have been received in other states and the United States Department of Agriculture is investigating. People who receive seeds should not plant or handle the seeds. They should store them safely in a place children and pets cannot access and email USDA immediately at erich.l.glasgow@usda.gov for instructions. Seeds imported into the United States are rigorously tested to ensure quality and prevent introduction of invasive species, insects and diseases. We will continue to monitor this issue and will pass along guidance as it is received from USDA.” – Statement from Richard A. Ball, New York State Commissioner of Agriculture

The above statement from Commissioner Ball comes as the number of mysterious packages, which have been received by people across the country for a while now, has increased recently.

To date, we don’t know what kind of seeds they are of if they might be carrying some kind of plant pathogen. The recommendation from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is to immediately email the USDA and hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label, until someone from your State department of agriculture or APHIS contacts you with further instructions. Do not plant seeds from unknown origins.

APHIS ends their press release on the subject with “USDA is committed to preventing the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protecting U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds. Visit the APHIS website to learn more about USDA’s efforts to stop agricultural smuggling and promote trade compliance.”.

At the NYS IPM Program, research, demonstrations, education, and outreach are part of a comprehensive plan to make IPM the safe, effective pest management solution for all New Yorkers. For more information about our efforts to combat invasive species, visit our Invasives Species page. For updates on this, and other pest related subjects, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This post contributed by Joellen Lampman, School and Turfgrass IPM Extension Support Specialist, NYS IPM Program. See her post on the NYS IPM blog, http://blogs.cornell.edu/nysipm/2020/07/28/mysterious-package-from-china-dont-handle-the-seeds/