ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING • 7320 RITCHIE HIGHWAY, SUITE 210 • GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061 • (410) 222-6755 FAX (410) 222-6747 • TIP-A-PHONE (410) 761-8911 • TTY (410) 787-1174 • SOUTH COUNTY (301) 970-8250 EXT 6755-6759 PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY OFFICE • 6707 GROVETON DRIVE • CLINTON, MD 20735 • 301 868-8781 • FAX 301 599-6714

Winter 2006

Dave’s Ramble “Idle that tractor for a moment” the farmer shouted from the top of the silo, “I’ve got to go in.” Breakdowns! I can already see the boss wringing his hands as the day escapes his control for a moment. Idleness doesn’t always have to be a negative thing; I welcomed this circumstance that allowed my feet to rest on the steering wheel of the tractor - Laid back in the saddle! Life is filled with hectic, frantic never finished tasks; yet, occasionally is paused by a brief idle moment. A cool plunge: My mind floats away. For during these liberations poetry and sermons are written, loves pondered, battles fought and wars won. Without idle moments there would be no time for such passions. Contrarians would view momentary idleness as non-productive. So far from the truth, these brief idle moments catapult us from the previous revved physical state and release the mind to explore and wonder. I imagine everything that has ever been dreamed or created was so inspired. Everyone desires a creative side, although at the most opportune moment we tangent into anger or anxiousness. Make your declaration today that the next time life is going full speed ahead and screeches to a halt you resolve to languor. Picture yourself in that next traffic jam, first chuckling, then grasping all of that maddening energy to solve a problem, write a poem or dream a dream. Some of my best moments have occurred while traveling at four miles per hour disking in a hot, dusty field with a wide open mind. “Fire her up!” A shout from the silo top brings me back. I unload the wagon of alfalfa haylage quickly and roar to the field. I approach the tractor expecting the ire of impatience, but, pleasantly surprised to see the boss with his feet resting on the steering wheel. Still laid back! Why he’s even reluctant to escape this moment of idleness as the tractor throttles back to the task at hand!

Calendar of Events Mark Your Calendars --- Plan To Participate

♦ January 9 – Pesticide Applicator Certification Training-DFRC ♦ January 19 – So. MD Grazing Conference – Charles County ♦ January 19-22 – Horse World EXPO-Timonium ♦ January 23 – Pesticide Certification Exam – DFRC ♦ January 27 – Central Maryland Vegetable Meeting –Upperco ♦ January 31- February 2 – Hershey Vegetable Meeting ♦ February 4 – Grape Pruning Clinic – Upper Marlboro REC ♦ February 8 – So. MD Veg & Fruit Mtg – Davidsonville Ruritan ♦ February 22 – Bay Area Fruit School –WYEREC ♦ February 22-25 – Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference ♦ February 23 – Western Maryland Regional Fruit Mtg-WMREC ♦ March 13 – Pasture & Field Crop IPM Workshop – DFRC

Inside This Issue Winter Meetings Poultry Manure for Vegetable Crops Greenhouse IPM & Whitefly Alert: New Biotype Greenhouse: Keeping the Heat Inside & Floor Options Physiological Tomato Disorders New Pesticide Options for Berries Organic Gray Mold Control for Raspberries High Tunnel Tomato Demonstration Pumpkin Variety Demonstration Revised Worker Protection Manual Forage Yields for Winter Cereals Market Seeks Diversified Farmers SMRFM Hay & Straw Auctions Small Flock Owners and “Bird Flu” Soybean & Corn Variety Performance Tests MD Crop Insurance News EQIP Sign-Up Forestry Correspondence Course Agricultural Land Preservation Update Electronic Farm Soil Maps & Satellite Imagery Nutrient Management Update

It is the policy of the University of Maryland, Agricultural Experiment Station, and Maryland Cooperative Extension, that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or disability.

Become a Certified Private Pesticide Applicator

If you have allowed your pesticide certification to expire or are a new applicant, then you need to attend the Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Training and Examination to become certified to purchase and apply restricted use pesticides. A Private Applicator Certification Training will be conducted at the Davidsonville Family Recreation Center (DFRC) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on January 9, 2006. A Private Pesticide Applicator Exam will be given at the Davidsonville Family and Recreation Center (DFRC) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on January 23, 2006.

Delaware Agriculture Week 2006 January 16-21, 2006

Delaware Agriculture Week is scheduled for January 16-21, 2006 and will consolidate the Vegetable Growers Association of Delaware Meetings, Agronomy Meetings and trade show into one week. Additional meetings on a diverse array of topics, including forestry, aquaculture, equine, poultry and horticulture, will be held during the same week. Registration and full conference details for Delaware Agriculture Week are now available on the web at the following address: http://www.rec.udel.edu/AgWeek/home.htm Please check the website for all the details. We hope to see you at Ag Week! For more information you may also contact Emmalea G Ernest, Extension Associate, Vegetable Crops, University of Delaware at (302)-856-2585 ext. 399 emmalea@udel.edu

Southern Maryland Hay & Pasture Conference

January 19, 2006 Make plans to attend the Southern Maryland Hay & Pasture Conference to be held at Izaak Walton League Outdoor Education Center, Waldorf, MD on January 19, 2006. The morning session theme will be: Modern Approaches for Improved Hay and Silage Production, and will include the following presentations: Roundup Ready Alfalfa as Part of Your Alfalfa Weed Control Program; New Management Tools for Producing High Yields of Quality Alfalfa; Baling Hay Without Spoilage by Monitoring Moisture and Using Preservatives. The afternoon session theme will be: How to Plan and Develop Hay and Pasture Production Systems, and will include the following presentations: Why, What and How of a Resource Inventory for Your Farm; Basic Grass and Legume Species for Your System and Conditions; Forage Species and Varieties to Extend the Grazing Season; and Decision-Making Tools to Aid in Your Pasture Program Development. Registration received before January 10, 2006 $12.00. Registration received after January 10, 2006 $16.00.

Make checks payable to St. Mary’s County EAC and send along with name, address and phone number to: Ben Beale, Maryland Cooperative Extension, P.O. Box 663 Leonardtown, MD 20650, 301-475-4484

Horse World Expo January 19-22nd, 2006

The Horse World Expo at the Timonium Fair Grounds is scheduled for January 19-22nd, 2006. If you have never attended this event, I guarantee that you will be amazed at the crowd and excitement generated. Join the fun and see why the 1.7 billion dollar a year Maryland horse industry is a shining star agricultural industry for the state. You are also invited to visit with Extension faculty at the MCE Horse Expo Exhibit Booth, and to attend one or more of the University of Maryland Seminars.

Central Maryland Vegetable Growers Meeting

January 27, 2006 This well sponsored, large grower meeting always offers a great deal of vegetable industry information. The Central Maryland Vegetable Growers Meeting will be held on January 27, 2006, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Friendly Farm Inn, located on Foreston Rd. in Upperco, MD. Pesticide recertification credits are awarded for attending this meeting. For full meeting details, and to register call the Baltimore County Extension Office at 410 666-1024 today.

2006 Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable

Convention in Hershey, PA January 31-February 2, 2006

The 2006 Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Convention in Hershey, Pennsylvania is jointly sponsored by the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association, the Maryland State Horticultural Society and the New Jersey State Horticultural Society.

The Great American Hall at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center will host the Trade Show with over 130 exhibitors. Specialized horticultural equipment, farm market merchandise, and packaging, will all be on display along with information on the latest seed varieties, fruit varieties, pesticides and other supplies and services for the commercial grower.

Registration either through the mail or at the door is required to attend both the trade show and educational sessions. Complete registration information is available in the December 2005 edition of the Horticulture Technology Newsletter at:

http://www.westernmaryland.umd.edu/newsdec2004jan2005.pdf

Upper Marlboro Research Vineyard

Pruning Clinic February 4, 2006

The University of Maryland Vineyard Team and the Maryland Grape Growers Association wish to invite you to attend the MGGA Upper Marlboro Research Vineyard Pruning Clinic to be held on February 4, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Upper Marlboro Research and Education Center located at 2005 Largo Road, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. For more details and directions give me a call, or go to the MGGA web site at: http://www.marylandwine.com/ Southern Maryland Vegetable & Fruit Production Meeting

February 8, 2006 Don’t miss the 2006 Southern Maryland Vegetable and Fruit Production Meeting on February 8, 2006, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Davidsonville Ruritan Club, Davidsonville, Maryland. Speakers will present a broad range of topics including: “On-Farm Demonstration Method;” “Establishing Organic Apple & Pear Orchards;” “Greenhouse Management Tips;” “Vegetable Disease Control;” “Vegetable Pest update & IR-4 Program;” “Biological Insect Control;” “Getting Started with Blueberries, Raspberries & Strawberries;” “AGR-Lite & Other Vegetable Crop Insurance Options;” “Vegetable Enterprise Budgets & Marketing Options;” “Pesticide Update & Agrosecurity;” and “Global Vegetable Production.” Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification & Nutrient Management Voucher credit is awarded for attending the meeting. Also meeting sponsors will showcase their products and services, and state vegetable organization leaders will be present to recruit and answer your questions. Please attend and make this meeting the best ever! For information and registration, contact your local Extension office or call me at 410 222-6759. There is a $15.00 registration fee. Please register no later than February 6, 2006.

2006 Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference and Trade Show

John Berry, Agricultural Marketing Educator, Penn State Cooperative Extension

The 2006 Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference and Trade Show will be held in Reading, PA, February 22-25, organizers have announced. The excellent educational conference attracts direct marketers from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and surrounding states. The conference focuses on innovative marketing techniques through tours, workshops, round table

discussions and presentations by industry experts. There is also a trade show featuring products and services geared specifically to Agri-tourism, pick-your-own produce operations, growers’ markets, roadside stands, year round markets, CSA’s and other direct farm sale businesses. “Whether you’ve been in the direct farm marketing business for years or are just considering the possibilities, this conference is a must,” said John Berry, Penn State Cooperative Extension. The Direct Farm Marketing Associations, Extension Offices, and Departments of Agriculture in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania sponsor this annual conference. Watch your mail for registration materials or check the conference web site at www.MADMC.com For additional information, registration materials, or to sign up as an exhibitor, contact John Berry at 610-391-9840, via FAX at 610-391-0683 or via e-mail at jwb15@psu.edu. Provide your name, address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address.

Bay Area Fruit School February 22, 2006

Attention all fruit growers! Plan to attend the Bay Area Fruit School on February 22, 2006 at the WYE Research and Education Center in Queenstown, Maryland. This all day meeting will provide Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credit. This school provides information related to commercial tree and small fruit production. Information on pesticide updates and cultural practices are presented by university and industry experts. For full meeting details and registration call Debbie Dant, WYE REC at 410 827-8056, Ext. 115 or Michael Newell at 410-827-7388.

WMREC Regional Fruit Meeting

February 23, 2006 If you are a fruit grower, then be sure to attend the WMREC Regional Fruit Meeting on February 23, 2006 at the Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville, Maryland. This meeting will provide Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credit. For details and registration contact Cindy Mason at the Western Maryland Research and education Center at: 301 432-2767, Ext. 315 or by email at: cmason@umd.edu

Pasture & Field Crop IPM Workshop March 13th, 2006

Make plans to attend the Pasture & Field Crop IPM Workshop, Monday, March 13, 2006 at the Davidsonville Family Recreation Center (DFRC) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This workshop will explore advanced concepts of pasture and field crop production in the Southern Maryland region from establishment to harvest, including animal utilization. Topics will include: Crop selection; integrated crop management; soil fertility; weed control; insect control; and disease control for soybeans, corn, wheat, barley and hay crops. Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification & Nutrient Management Voucher Recertification will be awarded for full class participation. To register for this event contact the Anne Arundel County Extension Office at 410 222-6759.

New Web Page

Lists Upcoming Forage Events

By Les Vough, Forage Crops Extension Specialist, MD

A new page has been developed on the University of Maryland College of

Agriculture and Natural Resources Web site. This page lists upcoming forage events such as

pasture walks, field tours, and conferences to be held throughout Maryland as well as

in neighboring states. The page will include dates, times and directions to the events along with program agendas for some events. The page can be accessed at http://www.agnr.umd.edu/ForageEvents or by going to http://www.mdforages.umd.edu and clicking on ‘Upcoming Events.’

Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conference Equine Session

March 30, 2006 Internationally recognized equine researchers will be giving presentations on equine related topics such as control of obesity, new nutrient requirements for horses, nutritional care after colic, horse pasture management training materials, improved manure management strategies, and managing gastric ulcers at the Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conference, at the Holiday Inn Select in Timonium, Maryland. The equine session, which is part of a larger two-day conference, will be held on March 30, 2006. Veterinarians, trainers, horse breeders, and horse owners should not miss this opportunity to learn about these exciting new discoveries. All attendees will receive conference proceedings, lunch, and the opportunity to ask questions of all of our experts. Registration to attend the

conference on March 30th is $65 although attendees are encouraged to attend the full two-day event for $100. The conference is a regional event hosted by the Maryland Feed Industry Council, University of Maryland, Pennsylvania State University, University of Delaware, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Rutgers University, West Virginia University, and the American Feed Industry Association For more information please visit our website http://www.agnr.umd.edu/MNC/ or contact Kristen Spahn at: 301-405-1392

New Web Page College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Animal & Avian Sciences The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Animal and Avian Sciences Department has a new web site at: http://ansc.umd.edu/

Use of Poultry Manure for Vegetable

Crop Production By Mike Orzolek and Pete Ferretti,

Department of Horticulture, Penn State University The plant nutrient content of poultry manure varies greatly depending on the age, moisture, and litter content of the manure, the age and type of bird, and the ration fed. Also large losses of plant nutrients can occur through heat drying or leaching. Table 1. below lists the average total primary, secondary and minor plant nutrient contents of poultry manure in various moisture conditions, assuming no losses and no litter. Table 1. Total average plant nutrient content of poultry manure, means of various sources. Nutrients in lbs/Ton Condition % Solids Nitrogen P2O5 K2O Liquid 5 10 7 3 Fresh, Wet 25 30 20 10 Moist, Sticky 50 40 40 20 Crumbly 70 60 55 30 Dry 85 90 70 40 Ashed 95 0 135 100 Note: Estimated ash value for manure from all bird types except layers which are 6 pounds. Minor Elements in lbs/Ton Condition %

Solids Ca

Mg

S

Fe

Mn

Zn

Cu

B

Moist, Sticky

50 70 5 5 0.9 0.3 0.3 .03 .04

Dry 85 140 20 NA 2.0 0.5 0.6 .08 .08 Ashed 95 500 45 NA 6.0 1.5 1.5 .24 .25 A bushel of poultry manure weighs about 70 pounds when fresh. It will dry to six-tenths of a bushel by volume. Thus, a bushel of air-dried manure weighs about 33 pounds. A bushel of water weighs 78 pounds which makes wet manure heavy and expensive to haul. A 200-bushel capacity spreader will hold 3 to 7 tons of poultry manure, depending upon moisture content and compaction. Most poultry manure is neutral to alkaline with laying hen manure ranging up to a pH of 8.6. Broiler manure is often

much lower in calcium content and pH. However, if poultry manure is mixed with wood shavings, it may cause soils to turn acid as the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin is digested by microorganisms utilizing free nitrogen in the soil. A soil test for vegetable crops will give the pH and indicate whether a calcitic or high magnesium limestone is needed. Edited RDM

Greenhouse TPM/IPM Report Weekly Report

University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Central Maryland Research and Education Center From: Stanton Gill and Ethel Dutky, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Ginny Rosenkranz, Extension Educator, Chuck Schuster, Extension Educator, Suzanne Klick and Shannon Wadkins, Technicians, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Amanda Laudwein, Joanne Lutz, John Speaker, and Marie Rojas (Independent IPM Scouts)

The 2006 Greenhouse Short Course The 2006 Greenhouse Short Course will be held at the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension office, Montgomery County, in Derwood on January 23-27, 2006. This event is coordinated by the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension and the Maryland Greenhouse Growers’ Association. Pesticide Re-certification Credit for Private Applicators and Categories 3b and X will be awarded to attendees. For registration information contact Suzanne Klick at 301-596-9413 or go to http://www.agnr.umd.edu/ipmnet Primrose With higher heating costs growers are looking for cooler temperature crops such as primrose. Here are a few tips if you plan to grow primrose: When growing primrose, beware of problems with calcium deficiency. Symptoms begin as stunting and necrotic margins on young leaves and will eventually progress to death of terminal buds and root tips. It is important to maintain the pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Check this on a weekly basis using a pH meter. Feeding plants with calcium nitrate fertilizer is recommended to supply adequate amounts of calcium, keep the pH up, and avoid excessive growth that may lead to weak flower stalks and leafy “cabbage” type growth. For growers with very low alkalinity, foliar sprays of calcium chloride may also be necessary. Adding lime will raise the pH and also supply calcium: Dolmitic limestone (which also contains magnesium) may not release nutrients fast enough and may run out on long term crops. Hydrated lime reacts quickly, but may not last long enough. Calcitic lime is slower to react but lasts longer than hydrated lime. Gypsum (calcium sulfate) is a form of slow release calcium that will not raise the pH. You can limit antagonism between Ca and Mg by having a ratio of 2-5 Ca: 1 Mg. Basic fertilizers high in nitrate nitrogen often contain high amounts of calcium, but may contain little or no Mg. Acidic fertilizers high in ammonium

nitrogen contain little Ca or Mg (magnesium can be supplemented with Epsom salts). Easter Lilies At the end of December, temperatures should still be at 60°F night/68°F day. Apply fertilizer at 200 – 300 ppm nitrogen. Lilies need adequate nitrogen to prevent yellowing of lower leaves later in the season. In early January, when 50% or more of the crop has emerged, lower temperatures slightly. Over the next week, the crop should be fully emerged. Buds are initiating during this time so make sure plants do not dry out. Tulips - Forcing for Cut Flowers How about trying a simple hydroponic production method for cut tulip flowers? Tulip bulbs can be forced in the greenhouse for cut flower production in reusable water trays. The trays, which have a life of about five years, hold various sizes of bulbs up to a particular diameter. Trays that use prongs to hold the bulbs in place can accommodate a wider range of sizes. The water trays can then be placed in bulb crates that allow for easy movement on benches. The production cycle is about 8-9 weeks. After harvest, the bulbs are discarded. Hybrid Lilies Growers can easily grow lily bulbs directly in plastic shipping crates filled with soil (16-20 bulbs/ crate depending on size). Substrate is placed in the crate and bulbs planted. Botrytis is a major problem with this crop so good air circulation, via horizontal air flow fans, is very important. Humidity can also be reduced by following the “heat and vent” procedure. First you vent the greenhouse to bring in cool, drier air. Then, after it’s heated, you vent that warm, humid air. This method of environmental control is expensive, but very effective. Lilies receive supplemental lighting from late September to early April (eight hours of darkness per night). Bulbs grown in the winter take about an five extra weeks to finish; 15 weeks compared to 10 weeks in the spring.

Whitefly Alert New Biotype to Watch Out for in 2006

Stanton Gill, Extension Regional Specialist, IPM for Greenhouse and Nursery Management, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension

If you work with greenhouse growers you need to know that they may be battling a very nasty strain of whitefly that is resistant to many of the new classes of insecticides. We are in the middle of poinsettia production and we are receiving in several calls from growers who are having trouble controlling whiteflies this season. If you have a grower who is having trouble controlling whiteflies with applications of the IGR pyriproxyfen (Distance), reduced susceptibility to the IGR buprofezin (Talus) and a reduced susceptibility to the neonicotinoids insecticides imidacloprid (Marathon or Merit), and thiamethoxam (Flagship), then you might be dealing with “Q” biotype of whitefly. Back in 1986 a “B” biotype of silver leaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, caused major losses in vegetable crops and ornamental plantings. It was quickly recognized that this biotype B was causing damage different than any ever

attributed to whiteflies. This damage caused many plants to show signs of being infested because the plants turned yellow, white or silver depending on the specific host plant. Because various squash species tuned silver when infested with the B-biotype (also known as Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring) this biotype was given the common name, silverleaf whitefly (SLWF). New pesticides were introduced into the market place and the “B” biotype became more manageable. Since the neonictonoids were introduced into the market place it has become the preferred class of chemistry for control of most biotypes of whitefly for the last 19 years.. The newly discovered “Q” biotype has reduced susceptibility to neonictonoids and some of the new insect growth regulators (IGRs). In March 2005, Dr. Tim Dennehy (University of Arizona) reported the detection of the Q-biotype of Bemisia tabaci. This detection came after testing whiteflies collected from poinsettia in a retail outlet and were collected in December of 2004 as part of a pesticide resistance monitoring program in Arizona. Drs. Judy Brown, Tim Dennehy (University of Arizona) and Frank Byrne (University of California) independently verified the whitefly as being the 'Q-biotype'. This is the first time this particular strain has been found in the United States. The Q-biotype is suspected to have originated from the Mediterranean region and has been associated with whitefly control problems. Since the original report the “Q” biotype has been reported in several states. Since whitefly have such a wide host range and can have detrimental impact on many ornamentals crops and vegetable crops it is important that growers identify which biotype they have to be able to select appropriate control materials. It is important to recognize that scouting is a critical component of whitefly management regardless of biotype, and that without a rigorous scouting program, they will be unable to take full advantage of the "Best Guess" pesticide program that is presented below. For example, several pesticides (ex. IGR insecticides that have strictly contact activity) listed in the program are much less effective once pest populations are established, and/or will take longer to work. In addition, once poinsettia begins showing color, pesticide options are very limited due to labeling restrictions. Therefore, it is vital for poinsettia growers to be proactive with respect to whitefly management, and to initiate control programs when pest populations are first detected. Bract coloration will be starting very soon so the options for spraying will soon be very limited. Monitor whitefly population by trapping winged adults on yellow sticky cards. Inspection for immature stages will have to be conducted by flipping over foliage and looking for immature stages of whiteflies. Strategically place yellow sticky cards throughout the greenhouse, especially near doors and among new plants to provide information about the presence and movement of whiteflies. Detect whiteflies on plants by randomly selecting 10 plants per 1,000 square feet of greenhouse space and thoroughly examining these plants on the underside of leaves, using a 10X hand lens, for the presence of whitefly adults, nymphs and eggs. Our

whitefly fact sheet has good color pictures of the immature stages and eggs of whiteflies. At this point in time, this “Q” biotype has not been tested for susceptibility to the other materials registered for whitefly control in ornamentals. It must be noted, that this information is generated using laboratory bioassays and that no field efficacy work has been conducted to determine how these data relate to controlling the Q-biotype in the field, at least in the United States. This biotype is known to have resistance to pyriproxyfen (Horowitz et al. 2003), buprofezin and reduced susceptibility to the neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid and acetamiprid in other regions of the world. At this point this is a list of “best guess” greenhouse materials (develop by University of Florida- Dr. Lance Osborne) that will hopefully control this biotype of whitefly. Pesticides are being test at the University of Florida to determine which ones will most effective control the Q- biotype. Foliar Spray Rotations as needed: Resistance is a very real concern and every effort should be made to rotate chemicals each time an application is made don’t rely on any one product or chemical class for whitefly control. Insecticidal soap – spray must be directed to undersides of foliage. Do not make more than 3 applications or can cause phytotoxic burn. Do not apply once bract show color on poinsettias. Beauveria bassiana (requires repeated applications at 3 – 5 days intervals.) - Use a high volume sprayer for applications. This fungus controls immature stages of whiteflies. Horticultural oil – must use high volume sprayer to apply and direct spray to the bottom of foliage, making contact with the sessile stages of whiteflies Potassium bicarbonate – must use high volume sprayer and direct spray to the bottom of the foliage Spiromesifen Judo – newly registered material for whitefly. Translaminar (carried to bottom of foliage when applied as foliar application.) Abamectin (Avid) - Can be used up to the bract coloration stage for poinsettias. Azadiractin (Azatin, AzaDirect, Ornazin) – works on immature stages of whiteflies. Direct sprays to the undersides of foliage. Endosulfan (Thiodan) this has a 24 hr REI. Direct sprays to the undersides of foliage. Use before bract coloration. Acetamiprid (Tristar) Dinotefuran (Safari) Clothianidin (Celero) Thiamethoxam (Flagship) Imidacloprid (Marathon) Flonicamid (Aria) – blocks stylet of whiteflies. Kinoprene (Enstar II) Works on the immature stages of whiteflies Novaluron (Pedestal) – insect growth regulator Potassium bicarbonate Pymetrozine (Endeavor) – acts as a stylet blocking material. Pyridaben (Sanmite) – direct spray to undersides of foliage. Pyrethroid (Tame, Mavrik, Talstar) + Acephate (Orthene) – apply before bract formation on poinsettia Pyrethroid (Tame, Mavrik, Talstar) + Azadiractin (Azatin, AzaDirect, Ornazin) Sources cited: Total Crop Management for Greenhouse Production, Bulletin 353, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension: www.mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/LSO/benmisia/bemisia.htm Pansy Disease Troubles Root rots - look for stunting, wilting, and yellowing. Root rots are promoted by cold, cloudy weather when soils tend to stay wet for longer periods of time which is a very common situation as we move into January and February.

Examine roots for Pythium. AGDIA of Indiana produces on-site serological testing kits that can be used to detect Pythium and Rhizoctonia. If Pythium is detected materials for controls include Subdue Maxx, Alude, Aliette, Truban, and Banrot. Thielaviopsis, or black root rot, controls include Terraguard, Cleary’s 3336, and Banrot. However, it is recommended that infected plants be discarded. It should also be noted that cleaning used pots or trays with bleach is not enough to protect against Thielaviopsis; you must either steam sterilize them or use fresh ones. Leaf spots - insufficient nitrogen can lead to Alternaria or Colletoctrichum in cold weather and Cercospora in hot weather. Fungus gnats - can spread root rots. Monitor with potato slices. Controls include IGRs like Adept and Distance. Biocontrols include Bacillus thuringiensis serotype 14 (=israeliensis), available as Gnatrol, and beneficial nematodes (Steinernema feltiae), applied as a drench. Fertility and pH - the EC should be around 0.5-1.0 microseimens. Maintain a lower pH of 5.8-6.2 to avoid problems with Thielaviopsis and nutrient deficiencies: Iron deficiency - causes interveinal chlorosis on the new leaves and can be corrected with iron sulfate at 2 lbs/100 gallons or sulfuric acid at 1 oz/ 100 gallons. Boron deficiency - makes the leaves thick and puckered and can be corrected with Borax at 0.5 oz/100 gallons or Solubor at 0.25 oz/100 gallons. Magnesium deficiency - can cause symptoms of interveinal cholorosis that look much like iron deficiency. Magnesium can compete with calcium to create a magnesium deficiency that appears on the middle leaves rather than the new leaves. It can be corrected with Epsom salts at 1-2 lbs/ 100 gallons. Excess phosphorus and ammonia - will cause plants to stretch and become floppy. Botrytis - remove spent blooms, water as early in the day as possible, and increase air circulation. Controls include Decree, Daconil, Cleary’s 3336, and Chipco 26019. Geranium Management Scheduling - when finishing rooted zonal geranium cuttings, plan on 9-10 weeks for a 5” pot and about 11-12 weeks for a 10” pot (3 plants/pot). For rooted ivy geranium cuttings, it takes around 12-13 weeks for a 5” pot and 13-14 weeks for 10” (4-5 plants/pot). Add three weeks if you are using unrooted cuttings and two weeks if you start with callused cuttings. Growers who are relatively inexperienced at rooting cuttings, don’t have a good mist system, or don’t have a source of bottom heat are safer using cuttings that are already rooted. The following are recommended guidelines for handling rooted cuttings from Fischer’s 2004-2005 Cultural Guide: Producing High Quality Geraniums Soil, pH, and fertility - use a medium to high drainage soil mix. Feed with 300 ppm nitrogen. Using the pour-thru method, a pH of 6.0-6.3 for zonal geraniums and a pH of 5.5-5.8 for ivy geranium is recommended. If the pH drops below 5.5-6.0 on zonal geraniums, you can get iron and manganese toxicity which causes a bronze speckled necrosis on the lower leaf margins. You can raise the pH

with liquid lime or calcium nitrate fertilizer, if the pH is not extremely low. If the pH gets up to about 6.5 on ivy geraniums, you will start to see an iron deficiency (yellowing of the new leaves). You can lower the pH with sulfuric acid or ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Sprint 330 or 138 can be added to correct an iron deficiency (don’t forget to rinse it off the leaves!) Light and temperature - for the first 4-6 weeks of the crop, the temperature should be at 70-72°. For the first two weeks of the crop, the light should be at 2,500-3,000 foot candles (light should eventually be increased to 3,500-5,000 fc for zonals and 3,000-4,000 fc for ivies). Disease - Monitor for Pythium root rot. Conditions of wet soils, high salts, and cold temperatures promote this disease. Treat with Subdue Maxx at ¾ oz/100 gallons if Pythium is detected. Repeat applications of Subdue Maxx every 3-4 weeks if needed. Truban, Terrazole, Alliette, Rootshield and Banrot are also effective against Pythium. Botrytis can be prevented with low humidity, good air circulation, watering early in the morning. Decree, Compass, Heritage, and Spectro can be used for Botrytis control.

Keeping the Heat Inside This Winter

David S. Ross, Extension Agricultural Engineer Biological Resources Engineering

University of Maryland There are three main areas of energy conservation for greenhouses and there are ways that you can save energy, with only small investments of time and materials. The three areas are:

1. Reduce air leaks. 2. Insulate, Insulate, Insulate, and 3. Accurate environmental controls and energy

efficient environmental equipment. Air leaks can be a major means of heat loss, costing 3 to 10 % of your heating cost. A 48 inch fan louver that stays partially open with 1 inch gaps can lose 23,000 BTU/hr of heat to escape, costing $0.35 per hour for $1.50 fuel oil. Weatherstrip doors, vents, and fan openings. Lubricate louvers frequently. Use door closers or springs to keep doors closed. Repair broken glass or holes in the plastic covering. Close holes under foundation boards in plastic covered houses. Insulate your greenhouse in one of several ways: Use double covering of polyethylene for a potential fuel savings of 25 to 35%. Most greenhouses are covered with double poly but there are a few old glass houses that leak a lot of air that could be covered. Structural strength of old greenhouse frames should be evaluated before applying poly. Install a double cover on endwalls and sidewalls to achieve a thermopane effect. Double wall polycarbonate structured materials are good for this application. A polyethylene cover with an infrared inhibitor on the inner layer can give a 15% savings and pay for itself in 2 – 3 months.

Install a thermal blanket for 20 to 50% savings, with a pay back in 1 – 2 years. There are both manual and motorized systems. Tight closures should be maintained where curtains meet sidewalls, framing or gutters. Insulate the perimeter foundation and walls for a savings of 3 to 6%. When building new greenhouses, place 1 to 2 inches of polyurethane or polystyrene board into the ground 18 inches around the foundation to reduce the heat loss through the soil. Place 1 inch to 2 inches of insulation board on concrete kneewalls. Use aluminum faced building paper or insulation board behind heating pipes on walls to reduce radiation losses, but leave an air gap next to the wall to prevent freezing in the wall. Use windbreaks to reduce wind – induced heat losses for a savings of 5 to 10%. Locate new greenhouses in a sheltered area so winter winds are reduced. Plant trees as windbreaks near existing greenhouses. And, third, older heating equipment and controls are likely less efficient and less accurate than new equipment available on the market. Unit heaters in greenhouses may be only 60% efficient meaning that 40% of the heat energy goes up the flue pipe. Newer equipment is more energy efficient and also is available with features that extend their life or reduce maintenance. New heaters are at least 80% efficient and are available with closed combustion systems that bring in outside air for combustion and carry the exhaust flumes back out. Wet greenhouse air does not pass through the heat exchanger to rust it out. Residential furnaces of 96% efficiency that use PVC pipe for intake and exhaust are available for home use. Potential fuel savings of 5 to 20% are available with new heating equipment and temperature controllers. Cleaning and adjusting the furnace may save 2% in energy costs. Use electronic thermostats or controllers with 1% accuracy. Some older, low cost thermostats may vary +/- 5% so the house temperature may vary considerably unless these are calibrated annually. Use aspirated electronic thermostats or controllers with a 1○F accuracy. Use horizontal air flow fans for uniform temperatures. Clean heating pipes and other radiation surfaces frequently. Consider the age of your electrical wiring and the added load it may carry now. The wire may be heated by an overload of power demand or contacts may be corroded or rusty. Upgrading the wiring may give as much as 14% savings. The new low wattage, compact fluorescent bulbs can give a savings of 1 to 10% savings in electricity. A 13 watt compact fluorescent bulb replaces a 60 watt incandescent bulb and lasts up to 10,000 hours, compared to 750-1,000 hours. For additional information, the publication “Energy Conservation for Commercial Greenhouses” is available for $21.25 from NRAES at www.nraes.org, shipping and handling included. Or, call NRAES (an Extension organization) at 607-255-7654. The email address is nraes@cornell.edu. Internet information is also available at my departmental web site at www.bre.umd.edu , from homepage scroll down

to Extension and click on it, on second page scroll down to Publications and click on Biological Resources Engineering FACTS, and from here you can go into a chart to look at FACTS 62, 89, 180, 182, and 186 for information. If available print the Adobe Acrobat version of the FACTS. Also, John Bartok, Extension Agricultural Engineer (retired) in Connecticut has several current fact sheets on the University of Massachusetts’ web site at http://www.umass.edu/umext/floriculture/fact_sheets/. Click on Greenhouse Management to go to index, go down to Greenhouse Engineering. Here find four fact sheets on greenhouse energy conservation checklist, selecting and maintaining thermostats, combat higher fuel prices with efficient heating systems, and fuels and alternate heat sources. Inexpensive Alternatives to Concrete Floors

David S. Ross, Extension Agricultural Engineer Biological Resources Engineering

University of Maryland The price of concrete has shot up tremendously over the last couple of years. Much of the raw ingredients for concrete are being shipped to China to help fuel their massive building projects. This has resulted in higher prices for concrete here in the United States. Hurricane ‘Katrina’ has spurred a building boom that is putting heavy demand on the ingredients used in concrete. How is the problem related to greenhouse growers? Growers who want a level floor in their greenhouse that is weed free are looking for less expensive alternatives. You can place gravel on the floor, provide drainage and cover the area with weed barrier cloth, as one alternative. Some growers are trying to cover the floor area with asphalt. It is a lot less expensive than concrete. If you choose this floor covering you will need to raise the temperature in the greenhouse (best done in summer when solar heating is available) and vent the greenhouse for at least several days to carry out the fumes. We spoke with Will Healy with Ball Seed Company about what the asphalt fumes contain. Will feels that the long chain and short chain hydrocarbons would cause phytotoxicity damage to foliage.

MMAARRYYLLAANNDD PPEESSTT UUPPDDAATTEE

Physiological Tomato Fruit Disorders

By Gerald E. Brust, IPM Vegetable Specialist, Lower Eastern Shore Research and Education Center. University of Maryland,

Salisbury, Maryland While out looking at tomato fields this August, I was asked several questions by growers about various markings or misshaped fruit and the cause and possible prevention of these problems. I will list some of the more common physiological and insect-related problems with their description and causes and possible remedies as they are known. Several problems I think most people will recognize,

while others are a bit uncommon. I will not list any problems caused directly by diseases of the fruit. Blossom-end rot begins with tan, water-soaked areas at or near the blossom end of fruit, which usually enlarge and turn black and leathery (Figure 1). This malady is caused by a localized shortage of available calcium as the fruit develops. While the problem usually occurs externally at the blossom end of the fruit it may also occur internally with no visible symptoms on the outside of the fruit. There are several conditions that may increase the likelihood of blossom end rot. These include: 1. Widely fluctuating soil moisture, which can temporarily reduce calcium concentrations in expanding fruit. Calcium is carried through the plant in the water transport system (xylem). Those plant parts that are rapidly transpiring will have more than adequate levels of calcium, while fruit often receives just adequate levels of calcium. Any moisture stress will reduce calcium uptake. 2. Nitrogen in the form of ammonium can cause a reduction in calcium absorption and concentration in the tomato plant and 3. Damage to the root system from disease, nematodes or heavy pruning can reduce the uptake of calcium from the soil. Foliar applications of calcium do not reduce blossom end rot, because the calcium taken up by the leaves is not translocated to the fruit. This fruit problem can be prevented with good water management and proper fertilization. Catfacing is the term used to describe fruit with deep indentations in the blossom end or fruit with significant distortions (Fig.2). The specific cause is not known, but it appears to be related to problems during the formation of the flower. Temperatures below 50°F at flowering or fruit set, resulting in poor pollination, can increase the amount of catfacing. Heavy pruning in indeterminate varieties may increase catfacing because of auxin reduction in the plant. Jointless tomato varieties seem to be more prone to catfacing than jointed varieties. Unfortunately there is little that can be done for control of catfacing, except selecting varieties that are not prone to the problem. Older cultivars and large fruited varieties are more susceptible. Growth Cracking in tomato fruit can occur as radial cracking that originates from the stem end down toward the blossom end, and as concentric cracking, which occurs as rings around the stem scar (Fig. 3). Cracking occurs when internal expansion is faster than the expansion of the epidermis, causing the outer skin to split. Varieties differ greatly in their susceptibility to cracking. Cracking can occur at all stages of fruit growth but as fruit mature they become more susceptible, especially as color develops. Those varieties that are very susceptible to cracking may crack when fruit is still green while varieties that are tolerant may start to crack at the breaker stage. Management is accomplished by reducing, to the extent possible, large fluctuations in growth rates by selecting tolerant varieties, reducing fluctuations in soil moisture, and maintaining good foliage cover, since exposed fruit are more susceptible. Dimpling is characterized by small depressions (dimples) in the fruit (Fig. 4a). The injury is caused most often by female thrips inserting an egg into the fruit just below the

cuticle when the fruit is very small. Sometimes dimples are caused by small Lepidopteran larvae that feed briefly (one or two “bites”) on very small fruit. In either case dimpling occurs very early during fruit formation, usually while the flower is still attached. A few dimples usually do not result in grade reduction, however, numerous dimples can reduce grade. Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, at times causes a different, but noticeable ovipositioning injury on tomato fruit. The damage appears as a round white halo around the center oviposition mark (Fig. 4b). Unlike damage by stink bug feeding (see below) the cells under this white halo are firm rather than soft and spongy. The dimpling caused by thrips ovipositioning occurs sporadically and thrips usually do not need treatment. However at times thrips populations can build and cause significant damage. Tomato flowers should be checked by peeling the petals open and observing any movement of thrips within the flower. A 10x handlens is useful for observing thrips. A threshold used in the South is 5 thrips/flower before treatment is justified. If the thrips population in the field consists mostly of western flower thrips than the threshold is reduced to 1-2 thrips/flower. You cannot determine thrips species in the field, but you can send them to me for identification if you wish. Adult tarnished plant bugs, which are about ¼-inch long and are brown, tan or greenish with dark markings on their wings and back (Fig.5), prefer to feed on newly formed fruits. They secrete a toxic substance from their salivary glands which kills the cells surrounding the feeding sites. As the fruit enlarges, healthy tissue will expand while the dead tissue does not, which results in distorted (dimples) or malformed (catfacing) fruit. Gold Fleck, or fleck develops as small irregular green spots found randomly on the surface of green fruit which become yellow (gold) as the fruit ripens (Fig. 6). Some tomato researchers believe fleck is caused by thrips or other sucking insects, while others believe its cause is genetic or environmental. There is evidence from NC that insecticide use can greatly reduce flecking, however other work has shown fleck appearing when no thrips or sucking insects were present. Certain varieties show a predisposition to developing fleck, whatever its cause. In my experience with Florida tomato production, fleck has not been associated with thrips feeding even though thrips are present in the field 8 or 9 months of the year. The most common thrips species in Florida tomato fields is Frankliniella bispinosa, Florida flower thrips. In the North F. tritici may be the most common species, found in vegetable fields. The inconsistency in associating fleck with thrips could be due to the difference in the species of thrips most commonly found in the field. One of my goals next year is to take a survey of the thrips species found in and around different vegetable fields throughout Maryland to see what thrips species are present, where they are located and what damage is associated with their presence. Pox appears as small brown crusty disruptions found randomly on the fruit surface (Fig. 6). The cause is not well understood, but it seems to be genetic in nature. Pox usually shows up on the same fruit as gold fleck but its association with thrips or sucking bug feeding has yet to be

determined. Pox is difficult to work with because it appears sporadically, possibly due to certain environmental conditions. Not surprisingly there are differences in varieties as to the frequency of pox development. Cloudy spot is characterized as pale, yellow, or white spots on the fruit surface with shallow, white spongy areas in the flesh (Fig. 7a). When the spots are cut open they do not penetrate into the flesh of the tomato to any great extent (Fig. 7b). Cloudy spot is caused by stink bug feeding. Stink bugs insert their syringe-like mouth parts into green fruit and withdraw cell contents. This results in empty cells filled with air, spongy and white. Stink bug feeding rarely results in deformed growth of the fruit. Sunscald appears as yellow, sunken, and wrinkled, areas usually on the shoulder of the fruit (Fig. 8). It occurs when tissue temperature rises above 85° F. The high temperature causes yellow pigments to develop, but inhibits red pigment development. In severe sunscald cases (tissue temperatures above 103° F) the tissue turns white and dies. Damage takes place when leaves are moved about or when there is foliage loss suddenly exposing the fruit to sunlight for a period of time. This can occur during harvesting, excessive pruning, a storm or foliar disease. Some growers use a sun screen material such as Surround to help reduce sunscald, but problems with removing the sunscreen material from the fruit at harvest usually make this method uneconomical on large acreages. Puffiness causes fruit to appear somewhat bloated and flat-sided or angular (Fig. 9). When fruit are cut, cavities may be present that lack the normal seed gel. Fruit is less dense and feels very light in relation to its size. Puffiness is caused by incomplete pollination and seed development. Poor pollination can occur at temperatures that are too low or too high during fruit set. Other factors such as low light or rainy conditions can also cause seed set problems. Rain check appears on tomato fruit as numerous tiny concentric cracks that develop on the shoulder of the fruit (Fig. 10). In severe cases, the cracks can extend 1/4 to 1/3 of the way down the side of a fruit. Cracks feel rough to the touch and affected areas can take on a leathery appearance. Green fruits are most susceptible. Damage occurs on exposed fruit when a heavy rain occurs after a long dry period. There are varietal differences in susceptibility to rain check. Zippering fruit have lines along the side of the fruit usually from the stem end to the blossom end due to abnormalities in early flower development (Fig. 11). Although sometimes attributed to high humidity or an anther that is attached to the newly forming fruit the cause of the zipper scar is unknown. The only control is to select varieties that are not prone to zippering. Blotchy ripening/yellow shoulders of tomatoes is characterized by areas of the fruit that fail to ripen or do so after the rest of the fruit is ripe (Fig. 12). White or yellow blotches can also appear on the surface of ripening fruit while the tissue inside remains hard. The affected area is usually on the upper portion of the fruit. This problem is more prevalent in cool, wet, often cloudy conditions. Soils high in nitrogen and/or low in potassium will increase its

severity. Blotchy ripening appears more frequently on older cultivars. Studies at UC-Davis demonstrate that for uniform color development more available potassium than is necessary for yield alone is needed. Their studies show the incidence of yellow shoulder was lower in fields with a high potassium status of both soil and plant. Foliar applications of potassium, however, were not effective in relieving this disorder. Work in the Great Lakes region has suggested the importance of soil organic matter and pH. Tomatoes grown on soils containing greater than 3.5% organic matter produced fruit with a low incidence of blotchy ripening/yellow shoulder while tomatoes grown on soils with organic matter below 2.5% produced fruit with a high incidence of the disorder. Tomatoes produced on soils at a pH of 6.4 had a low incidence of yellow shoulder while tomatoes grown on soils in excess of 6.7 had a high incidence. Internal white tissue is a disorder where the affected fruit rarely shows any external symptoms. However, when ripe fruits are cut, white hard areas are present in the outer walls (Fig. 13). High temperatures during the ripening period seem to trigger the symptoms. Maintaining sufficient potassium fertilization (a soil exchangeable K+ level of 130 ppm in sandy loams) can reduce symptoms but may not eliminate them. As is common with many of these fruit problems some varieties are more prone to the disorder than others. Graywall appears as grayish often slightly sunken areas of the fruit. It is caused by a partial collapse of the vascular wall tissue causing dark necrotic areas in the outer walls (Fig.14). The collapsed tissue is sometimes present in the cross-walls of the fruit. This problem usually does not affect tomato crops in our area as graywall is more of a problem during cool, short days, which may be possible to find in a very late or early season tomato crop in the north (high tunnels) References On-Line Fig. 10 found at: http://www.umassvegetable.org/index.html Fig. 8 K-State Research and Extension Newsletter Horticulture '98, No. 26, July 1, 1998. Figs. 1 and 4a Bartolo, M.E. at: http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/ppdl/weeklypics/Weekly_Picture8-6-01-1.html Fig. 11 Hodges, L. Extension Horticulture Specialist Nebraska Cooperative Extension NF97-35. Fig. 2 Lapaire, C. at: http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/ppdl/weeklypics/Weekly_Picture8-6-01-1.htm Fig. 5 LeBoeuf, J. - Vegetable Crop Specialist/OMAF http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/index.html Figs. 4b, 6, 9, 13 and 14. Olson, S. Department of Horticultural Sciences, North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy. Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611HS-954, Publication date: February 2004. Fig. 3 at: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Pests/Diseases/tomaprob.htm Sedbrook, J. Colorado Master Gardener SM, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, Denver County. Fig. 12 at: http://www.luminet.net/~wenonah/min-def/index.html Wallace, T. University of Bristol Agricultural and Horticulture Research Station, Long Ashton, Bristol. found at: The Diagnosis of Mineral Deficiencies in Plants by Visual Symptoms.

Three New Pesticide Options for Berries Kathy Demchak, Department of Horticulture

Pennsylvania State University Here are some new options for chemical pest control in berries in PA. If you’re from another state, please be sure that these products are registered in your state before using them. Thanks to Dr. Doug Pfeiffer at Virginia Tech for his assistance with information for this article. Kanemite™ 15SC (active ingredient: acequinocyl) from Arvesta™ is a new miticide for use on strawberries against two-spotted spider mites and strawberry mites. It has a unique mode of action (Group 20 Subgroup B), so other miticides can be alternated with it for resistance management purposes. The label states that no more than two applications should be made per year (one would be even better to delay resistance development), and there should be a minimum of 21 days between applications. This material is relatively harmless to predatory mites and beneficial insects. The use rate is 21-31 fl. oz./acre. The PHI is 1 day, and the REI is 12 hours. A new supplemental label for Capture® 2EC (active ingredient: bifenthrin) from FMC now allows its use as a soil drench against raspberry crown borer larvae. Capture® had previously been labeled for use on caneberries as a foliar spray against leafrollers, orange tortix, root weevils (adults), and spider mites (maximum rate must be used for efficacy). However, this supplemental label may be of greater value in PA, especially considering that the only other material that could be used for crown borer larvae was azinphos-methyl (known as Guthion or Sniper), and that use would not have been allowed after Sept. 30, 2006. The soil drench, at 6.4 oz of product/acre, is to be directed to the crown of the plants in the fall or spring. This timing targets stages in the crown borer life cycle when the larvae are vulnerable. If Capture® is used in the spring prior to bloom, you can make either foliar or soil drench applications, but not both. The PHI is 3 days, though this is of concern essentially for the foliar applications with other pests. The REI is 12 hours. You may also already be familiar with this active ingredient as it is labeled for strawberries as Brigade. There’s a new use for Danitol ® 2.4EC (active ingredient: fenpropathrin) from Valent®, which had been labeled for an assortment of insects on strawberries. Now Danitol® 2.4EC also can be used on most bushberries (blueberries, gooseberries, and elderberries – see the label for other crops) against blueberry maggot, Japanese beetle, and obliquebanded leafroller. It can be used against cane borers on currants as well. The PHI for most of the bushberries (blueberries included) is 3 days; however, the PHI for currants is 21 days. The rate in all cases is 10 2/3 to 16 fl. oz./acre. Applications must be made using ground equipment. The REI is 12 hours. Both Capture® and Danitol® are pyrethroids, so they can affect a fairly wide range of non-target organisms including bees, beneficial insects and aquatic organisms. Both of these materials are restricted use, and carry the signal word “Warning”. Kanemite® carries the signal word “Caution”. Be sure to follow all label precautions.

Organic Method: Grey Mold Control for

Raspberries Elsa Sánchez, Department of Horticulture

Pennsylvania State University Botrytis diseases are arguably the most common

diseases of ornamentals and vegetable, fruit, field and greenhouse crops. Gray mold of brambles is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea and is the most common bramble fruit rot. Gray Mold Disease Cycle Disease cycles are the chain of events involved in disease development. In contrast, life cycles can be defined as the series of events throughout development. For example, for plants life cycles span from seed to seed and for fungi from spore to spore. Disease cycles include the interaction between plants and pathogens. Terminology associated with the gray mold disease cycle includes:

• Mycelium – the vegetative, threadlike part of the fungus. Botrytis mycelum can survive the winter.

• Sclerotium - a mass of overwintering mycelium covered with a rind. The rind is usually dark in color.

• Conidia – spores that attack the raspberry plant. They are asexual, appear gray/brown in mass and are born on conidiophores.

• Conidiophores - special types of mycelium where conidia are produced. They are dark in color.

Mycelium overwinters on plant debris and canes. Sclerotia can overwinter on canes or in the soil. Overwintering mycelium or sclerotia can be spread by moving plant debris or soil. When temperatures warm to 64 – 73°F and conditions are damp mycelium grow and conidiophores and conidia are produced. Conidia are released from conidiophores and spread by wind and splashing water. Conidia can then invade the raspberry plant through flowers or wounds. At this stage, the fungus usually lies dormant in immature berries until they are nearly ripe or after harvest. However, a blossom blight can also develop when it is very rainy during bloom time, although this is rarer. Gray mold development is favored by cool, wet conditions especially during bloom and berry ripening. The disease cycle continues with mycelium and sclerotia overwintering. Signs and Symptoms Gray mold signs and symptoms develop on all parts of the raspberry plant. Sclerotia may appear on canes in the late winter and may be noticed when pruning. Additionally, lesions can develop on the canes in the spring or fall. Mycelium and conidiophores may be evident on dead or dying leaves at anytime of the year. Mycelium and conidiophores may be present on dead flower petals in early spring particularly if conditions are wet. Signs and symptoms on berries can develop anywhere but, are more common on the stem end of the fruit. It is common to observe clusters of infected berries. Individual infected

drupelets appear watery or tan followed by the appearance of mycelium. Identifying Gray Mold on Berries Gray mold can be identified by the presence of mycelium, conidiophores and conidia which together are fluffy and gray in appearance. It can be difficult to identify without the presence of conidiophores and conidia because the mycelium can resemble that of other fungi. If mycelium is present in the absence of conidiophores and conidia, placing the infected berry in moist and warm conditions (about 70°F) in the light can stimulate the development of conidiophores and conidia. After conidiophores and conidia develop gray mold can be identified by the unaided eye or a16x hand lens. We have also taken close-up photographs using digital cameras to aid in identification. Cultural Strategies for Gray Mold Management Cultural management strategies exploit weaknesses in the disease cycle. Weaknesses in the gray mold disease cycle include overwintering on plant debris. Using sanitation practices that include removing leaves, mummied berries and prunings from the planting can help in reducing the amount of inoculum available for infecting the raspberry plants. Over ripe berries are very susceptible to gray mold development; therefore, removing over ripe fruit from the planting or picking on a frequent harvest schedule to avoid having over ripe fruit in the planting can help in reducing gray mold. Conidia are primarily spread by wind and to a lesser extent by splashing water. Splashing water can be the result of rain which is generally uncontrollable. However, it can also be the result of overhead irrigation. Use drip irrigation systems instead of overhead irrigation when possible. Other cultural strategies include maintaining a healthy planting and planting disease-free nursery stock. Promoting good air flow through the planting can decrease moisture levels in the planting which favor gray mold development. Management strategies for promoting air flow begin with good site selection. Good pruning techniques including maintaining hedgerows during summer also promotes good air flow as does managing weeds. Orienting hedgerows with wind facilitates drying within the planting. Postharvest strategies for gray mold management include removing field heat from the berries quickly and using refrigerated storage. Removing infected fruit from storage can also decrease gray mold spread.

The High Tunnel Tomato

Demonstration John Esslinger, Extension Educator,

Commercial Horticulture Pennsylvania State University

The 17’ by 36’ demonstration high tunnel in Lackawanna County is part of Penn State’s Center for Plasticulture, but it has helped local farmers in a big way. The number of high tunnels in the region has grown steadily. We are currently completing our 5th season of growing in the demonstration tunnel and have been learning as we go. The Lackawanna

County tunnel is currently located on the Mark Phillips farm. Mark has done an excellent job of tracking yields and economic data. His effort is greatly appreciated. Growers are invited to come to a twilight meeting at the Phillips farm each May to see the tunnel and participate in discussions with local high tunnel growers. We have focused on growing tomatoes in our tunnel. Tomatoes work well into the overall marketing and operation of the Phillips farm. In 2004 we experimented with gladiolas and peppers, but the tomatoes have brought the best return. While there are many tomato varieties grown in local high tunnels, we have found that Mt. Spring and Mt. Fresh have performed the best. We like the early maturity and flavor of Mt. Spring. We have gotten excellent quality from Florida 47, but have been a little disappointed in the yield. The following are the 2004 yields per plant by variety: Mountain Spring 34.3 lbs/plant Florida 47 25.4 lbs/plant Mountain Fresh 38.0 lbs/plant. Tomato yields were exceptional in 2004. 2089 lbs of tomatoes were harvested and sold from the three 36’ long rows. The average price per 25 lb. box was $36.00. The gross income generated by the 3 rows of tomatoes was $3,008. The income per plant was just over $46. In 2004, the forth row in the tunnel was split with half being planted to peppers and half planted to gladiolas. The quality of the gladiolas was exceptional, but profit potential was limited when selling at the farmers’ market. Field grown gladiolas were also available at the Scranton Farmers’ Market since it does not start until mid-July, which eliminated the advantage of a high tunnel. We had a mite problem in the peppers, but felt that peppers had good profit potential. In 2005, a full row was dedicated to pepper production. Mites did not appear in the peppers in 2005. We are starting to run into a few other challenges in the tunnel. Early in the 2005 season, we noticed some salt injury. Salt builds up faster in a tunnel because there is no precipitation to wash it out of the root zone. We also lost a few tomato plants to stem rot. While these challenges can be overcome, they demonstrate that growing in a tunnel requires good management. Growing in a high tunnel can be profitable, but is not for everyone. You need to be in a marketing situation that consistently pays a premium for high quality and season extension. You will need to be available to manage the tunnel early in the season when time for most growers is already limited. Just like field production, you will only get out of a tunnel what you put into it. Additional information can be obtained by purchasing the High Tunnel Production Manual published by the Center for Plasticulture High Tunnel Research and Education Faculty. The Center for Plasticulture web site also has excellent information at www.plasticulture.cas.psu.edu.

2005 Pumpkin Variety Demonstration

Tom Butzler, Penn State Cooperative – Clinton County

Mike Orzolek, Pennsylvania State University

Seeded: May 23, 2005 Transplanted: June 23, 2005 at the Horticulture Research Farm, Rock Springs, PA Lime: Hi Cal Lime was applied 2 tons/acre on November 4, 2004. Fertility: Broadcast and incorporated 90 lbs of nitrogen/A, 105 lbs of phosphorus/A, and 150 lbs of potassium/A. Weed Control: Command 4EC and Curbit EC applied on June 8, 2006. Pest Management: Application of Asana XL on June 17, July 11, 26, August 4, 9, 19, and September 2; Endosulfan 3EC applied on June 28 and August 24; Bravo WS applied on July 7, 11, 26, August 9, 19, 24, September 2 and 9. Nova 40W applied on July 7 and August 19; Copper Sulfate applied on July 11; Phostrol applied on July 20; Quadris applied on July 20, August 24, and September 2; Procure 50WS applied on July 26; Sevin 80S applied on September 9. Harvested: September 28, 2005 Table 1. The marketable yield of pumpkin varieties evaluated at the Horticulture Farm, Pennsylvania State University, Rock Springs Centre County, PA -2005. Marketable Fruit Yield/Acre* Variety Name

Seed Source

Avg. wt/ pumpkin

No. of Fruit/A

Wt lbs

XP 6899 OSC 10.23 1183 12100 XP 6888 OSC 5.26 2286 12033 XP6877 OSC 10.30 934 9623 XP6866 OSC 7.98 1898 15153 Harvest Time AC 23.70 807 19121 Pro Gold 510 AC 18.79 887 16671 Expert JSS 19.22 968 18607 RPX 771 RS 23.05 995 22936 RPX 768 RS 22.30 1344 29981 RPX 764 RS 20.48 1237 25329 RPX 761 RS 14.45 887 12826 RPX 760 RS 14.46 753 10890 Gold Gem RS 15.23 926 14102 Gold Medal RS 20.58 934 19218 Super Herc HM 26.57 471 12503 Gladiator HM 13.64 887 12100 Charisma JSS 12.33 2654 32738 Racer JSS 10.34 3948 40838 Cotton Candy RS 4.17 1719 7164 RPX 763 RS 15.85 2654 42063 Magician HM 8.61 2246 19330 Cannonball HM 3.52 5324 18755 Gold Dust RS 0.62 18214 11208 RPX 089 RS 3.38 4840 16335 Ironman HM 3.17 3509 11132 Seed Source Code: OCS - Outstanding Seed Company HM - Harris Moran RS - Rupp Seed JSS - Johnny’s Selected Seed AC - Abbott & Cobb

Table 2. Stem characteristics of pumpkin varieties evaluated at the Horticulture Farm, Pennsylvania State University, Rock Springs Centre County, PA -2005. Variety Name

Seed Source

Stem Length1

Stem Quality2

XP 6899 OSC 3 4.5 XP 6888 OSC 2 4 XP6877 OSC 3 3.5 XP6866 OSC 3 4.5 Harvest Time AC 2 3.5 Pro Gold 510 AC 2 3 Expert JSS 2 3.5 RPX 771 RS 2 3 RPX 768 RS 2 3 RPX 764 RS 2 4 RPX 761 RS 2 4 RPX 760 RS 2 3.5 Gold Gem RS 2 3 Gold Medal RS 2 4 Super Herc HM 2 4 Gladiator HM 2 2.5 Charisma JSS 2 3.5 Racer JSS 3 4.5 Cotton Candy RS 1 1 RPX 763 RS 3 4.5 Magician HM 1 1.5 Cannonball HM 1 3.5 Gold Dust RS 3 5 RPX 089 RS 1 2 Ironman HM 2 3.5 Seed Source Code: OCS - Outstanding Seed Company HM - Harris Moran RS - Rupp Seed JSS - Johnny’s Selected Seed AC - Abbott & Cobb

Revised 2005 Worker Protection

Standard How-to-Comply Manual Available

EPA is releasing its revised 2005 Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides How-to-Comply Manual. This compliance assistance tool has been updated to reflect amendments to the Worker Protection Standard (WPS), a regulation designed to protect agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. The revised manual provides detailed information on who is covered by the WPS and how to meet regulatory requirements. The updated manual will facilitate better protection of pesticide workers and handlers in agriculture from the potential risks of pesticides. The new 2005 WPS How-to-Comply (HTC) Manual Volume 24, Number 10 2 supersedes the 1993 version. Changes to the WPS since 1993 have made the earlier version obsolete, and its continued use may lead an employer to be out of compliance. The 2005 HTC Manual revision was coordinated by EPA's National Agricultural Compliance Assistance Center and a workgroup consisting of representatives from EPA Headquarters, EPA Regional Offices, and several state agencies, with input solicited from USDA and other state and tribal pesticide agencies. For further information about the revised manual and how to obtain print and/or CD-ROM versions of the manual, or for additional information about the WPS, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/agriculture/htc.html

Forage Yield and Quality of Winter Hardy Cereals and

Winter Sensitive Species for Grazing Abstract: Extending the grazing season can minimize reliance on stored feed and reduce production costs for many livestock producers. Growing cereal grains for forage is one method for producers to extend their grazing season. The objective of this study was to determine fall and spring forage yield and quality of winter rye and winter-sensitive forage species (oat, spring triticale, rape, annual ryegrass) planted alone and in binary mixtures under grazing by cattle. In pure stands, the forage-type Winterking rye had the highest yield and intake by cattle. Yield of oat and spring triticale were similar in the fall. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was low and crude protein (CP) was high in the fall for all species, with slightly higher NDF and lower CP in the spring. There was little or no benefit to including a winter-sensitive species with the forage-type Winterking rye. In contrast, oat and spring triticale in mixture with common rye (variety not stated) significantly increased fall yield compared to common rye planted alone. We conclude that oat or spring triticale will increase yield of common rye in the fall, but have little benefit when planted with an improved forage-type rye variety such as Winterking rye. Note: The complete article may be viewed at: http://www.agnr.umd.edu/AGNRnews/Article.cfm?&ID=5354&NL=72 Table 1. Initial available forage mass, utilization and forage crude protein of winter hardy cereals and winter sensitive species seeded in September 2001. Winter-hardy cereals and winter sensitive species seeded in September 2001. Season/Treatment DM lb/ac (%) Utilization % CP Fall 2001 Annual ryegrass 2323 43.2 30.94 Rape 3621 17.3 30.67 Oat 2803 60.1 27.12 Winter triticale 3220 26.7 30.43 Rye 3354 55.3 29.21 Wheat 1836 5.9 30.65 Spring triticale 2953 48.6 26.97

LSD (0.05) 490 13.9 2.10 Spring 2002 Annual ryegrass 1388 42.9 20.36 Rape 2116 48.8 21.49 Oatd . . . Winter triticale 4662 65.5 15.38 Rye 7817 67.0 13.61 Wheat 4392 61.9 16.45 Spring triticale 2793 50.7 16.83

LSD (0.05) 790 15.8 1.98 aTotal above ground forage dry matter (DM) yield. cForage utilization (intake/available forage x 100). dNo oat data in spring due to winterkill.

Source: J.S. McCormick, R.M. Sulc, D.J. Barker, J.E. Beuerlein, and L.H. Rhodes, Proceedings 2004 Conference of the American Forage and Grassland Council, p. 225-229.

Annapolis Farmers Market Seeks New Diversified Farmers Traditionally the thriving Annapolis Farmers Market on Riva Road has consisted of farmers from Anne Arundel County, exclusively. However, the Annapolis Farmers Market Board of Directors would like to extend an invitation to diversified farmers in Anne Arundel, Calvert and Prince George’s counties. The board is seeking farmers that would complement the farm products currently available for sale at the market. Farmers that are producing small fruits, specialty vegetables, seasonal vegetables, honey or other value added agricultural products are encouraged to apply for the 2006 market season. For more information contact Bobi Crispens, Anne Arundel County Farmers Market Inc. at: 410 987-6034, 410 693-6860 (Cell), or at: vze338br@verizon.net

SMRFM Hay & Straw Auctions

The Southern Maryland Regional Farmers Market wishes to remind you of the upcoming Hay and Straw Auctions, which are scheduled for the first and third Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. beginning in November. Assorted lot sizes are auctioned at a low sellers 5% commission. Cash or check required at the time of sale. The auctions will run through April on the following dates: January 7th & 21st, February 4th & 18th, March 4th & 18th, and April 1st & 15th. If you have hay or straw to consign, or are an interested buyer, then please contact Margie Wilkinson at the market office, at 800 533-FARM or call Bob Chase at 410 798-1580. See the table for the latest auction results: Sale Date Product Name Low Price High Price Avg Price12/17/2005 Alfalfa $4.20 $5.00 $4.68

12/17/2005 Lespedeza $5.00 $6.40 $5.73

12/17/2005 Orchard Grass $3.00 $5.50 $3.97

12/17/2005 Orchard Grass Mixed

$3.30 $5.00 $4.41

12/17/2005 Round Bale Orchard

$40.00 $40.00 $40.00

12/17/2005 Shavings $4.60 $4.60 $4.60

12/17/2005 Shelled Corn (bushel)

$3.00 $3.00 $3.00

12/17/2005 Straw $2.60 $4.10 $3.23

12/17/2005 Timothy $3.90 $4.10 $4.00

What Small Flock Owners Should Know About “Bird Flu” (or Avian

Influenza) Q: What is “Bird Flu” or Avian Influenza (AI)?

A: Bird Flu is the common name for Avian Influenza (AI), an infectious disease of birds caused by type A influenza viruses. Symptoms in birds range from mild illness to epidemics of highly contagious, rapidly fatal disease. Contact of domestic flocks with wild, migratory ducks and geese is believed to be a frequent cause of epidemics. Live bird markets also play a role in the spread of the disease. Q: How does AI or “bird flu” affect humans? A: Avian influenza viruses normally only infect birds and pigs. The H7 strain currently affecting chickens in our area is not known to infect humans. The first documented infection of humans occurred in Hong Kong in 1997, when the H5N1 strain caused severe respiratory disease in 18 humans (6 died). Q: Why should I be concerned about AI? A: An outbreak of H7 strain could seriously affect the health of your flock and could result in its destruction. It will affect markets and the sale of poultry at all levels. The entire poultry industry will be affected and serious economic loss may occur for growers and our entire state. Q: What should I do? A: Practice good biosecurity and take precautions to protect your flock and others: ♦ Keep poultry in pens, houses or cages. Separate different

types and ages of birds. ♦ Keep wild, free-flying birds, including waterfowl and

seabirds, away from your flock. ♦ Clean and disinfect housing and equipment regularly.

Clean and disinfect any equipment, including clothing, that comes on or goes off your farm. Pay special attention to vehicles.

♦ Promptly bury or burn dead poultry. Report excessive illness to the Maryland Department of Agriculture or your County Extension Agent.

♦ Control pests, such as rodents and flies. Do not allow stray animals on your property.

♦ Restrict and control visitors to your farm. Keep them out of poultry areas.

♦ Avoid visiting other farms with poultry and live bird markets. Avoid traveling to areas where AI has been found. If you do visit another farm, clean and disinfect clothing and shoes and shower, before and after your trip.

♦ Purchase poultry only from reputable dealers. Know and keep records of their source.

Where to get more information on “bird flu”: http://www.who.int http://www.cdc.gov http://www.aphis.usda.gov http://www.avma.org http://www.agnr.umd.edu Editors Note: Excerpted from Tip Sheet # TP1 - RDM Prepared by: Pamela B. King, Extension Agent Reviewed by: Dr. Nickolas Zimmerman, Extension Specialist, Broiler Management 2/04

The 2005 Soybean Variety Tests By Bill Kenworthy, Agronomy Professor, NRSL

University of Maryland The 2005 Soybean Variety Tests have been posted at: http://www.nrsl.umd.edu/extension/crops/soybeans The 2005 Corn Hybrid Performance Tests

By Bob Kratochvill, Extension Specialist, Agronomy Crops

University of Maryland The 2005 Corn Hybrid Performance tests Agronomy Facts #54 Corn Hybrid Performance is now posted to the College's Cropping Systems webpage: http://www.nrsl.umd.edu/extension/crops/

MD Crop Insurance News January 2006

2006 Crop Insurance Changes GRP & GRIP for Corn and Soybeans: These two new crop insurance plans are available in 16 Maryland counties. They are Group Risk Plan (GRP) and Group Risk Income Protection (GRIP). GRP is yield based while GRIP is revenue based. These programs are based on county NASS data adjusted by RMA/USDA. Producers can purchase a fixed dollar amount of coverage and a percentage of the county yield loss trigger from 70 to 90% (CAT is also available for GRP only). Generally, a yield loss triggers for GRP when the county yield for the year is less than the historical county average (expected) yield times percentage trigger. GRIP works similarly except that the county yield information is converted to dollars using spring and fall CBOT prices. These programs usually provide more dollars of protection at less premium cost...but losses only trigger when the county average declines more than the historical average times the percentage loss trigger. However, reports from the Midwest are that these programs are gaining in popularity among producers there because producers feel that declines in county average yields adequately reflect their individual farm losses AGR-Lite: Important improvements have been made for 2006. These include: increasing the maximum policy size from $250,000 to $1,000,000 (producers with annual commodity income of $2,000,000 or less can qualify), producers with only one commodity revenue source can qualify for all 65 percent and 75 percent coverage level choices (only 3 revenue sources are required for 80% coverage), a broader and more clearly defined causes of loss definition, and an extended enrollment period until March 15 for new applicants. This whole farm revenue coverage provides dollars of protection based on a percentage of the producer’s revenue history and projections for the current year, plus current year market fluctuations. It includes commodity revenues from almost all farm products. The revenue to count for

poor quality and low quantity losses, due to insurable cause, is determined directly from the market place. This program can be used separately or in conjunction with MPCI-APH, CRC and IIP…and AGR-Lite premiums are discounted up to 50 percent for such combinations. Producers have numerous ways to insure their farm commodities for 2006 (many corn and soybean producers have up to 9). Contact a crop insurance agent for details. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers or online at: http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/. For more information from the USDA Risk Management Agency on crop insurance, contact Gene Gantz at (717) 497-6398. At the Maryland Department of Agriculture, contact Mark Powell at (410) 841-5775. At the University of Maryland, contact Dr. Wesley Musser at (301) 405-0017.

NRCS Maryland Announces

Sign-Up For $6 Million in EQIP Conservation Funding

From USDA Farm Bill Virginia (Ginger) L. Murphy, State Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Maryland, announced that Maryland received approximately $6,057,344 in fiscal year 2006 conservation funding for financial assistance to Maryland’s farmers through the USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), part of the 2002 Farm Bill. NRCS has leadership responsibility within USDA for implementing EQIP. There will be two sign-up periods for submitting an application for EQIP funds. The first sign-up period began on December 5, 2005 and will end on January 20, 2006. Applications received will be evaluated and matched to funding priorities. The second sign-up period will begin on February 5, 2006 and will end on February 24, 2006. Farmers should contact their local NRCS or Soil Conservation District office, located at USDA Service Centers, for more information on the eligible conservation practices, the application process, and receiving conservation technical assistance through EQIP. “Grazing practices and the development of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP) will be a focus for EQIP this year,” said Murphy. “Incentive payments will be offered for grazing plans, forest management plans, CNMPs, and irrigation system efficiency studies. Other local area priority concerns include animal waste management, erosion control, crop management systems, and biodiversity (including forestry). Forestry-related practices, like forest stand improvement, riparian forest buffers, and reforestration, are eligible for cost-share assistance through EQIP. These forestry practices have

proven to be beneficial throughout Maryland and help to improve water quality and decrease soil erosion.” “Conservation practices on cropland are another local focus for the implementation of EQIP assistance in Maryland,” Murphy said. “Landowners working in nurseries and orchards and with specialty crops can apply for assistance in improving the efficiency of irrigation systems and the management of irrigation water, adapting innovative nutrient management techniques, and integrated pest management practices.” "EQIP provides farmers with a flexible and effective program that offers financial assistance to install conservation practices related to statewide concerns involving animal waste/manure storage, farmstead runoff control, soil erosion, nutrient management and cover crops, forestry, integrated pest management, and prescribed grazing," said Tom Heisler, NRCS Maryland EQIP Program Manager. “In 2006, EQIP applications will be evaluated on a regional basis,” said Heisler. Practices eligible in the ranking pool categories include: o Animal waste storage and management and related

practices to include mortality issues (incinerators for poultry), and the development of CNMPs,

o Erosion control and integrated crop management systems,

o Grazing systems, o Biodiversity and forestry practices, o Irrigation to include micro-irrigation and tailwater

recovery systems, o Poultry house windbreaks, and o Long term crop residue management incentives for the

five counties in Southern Maryland. EQIP provides cost-share assistance from 50 percent to 75 percent of the cost of certain conservation practices, such as grassed waterways, filter strips, manure management facilities, contour buffer strips, livestock exclusion, and prescribed grazing. Incentive payments can be made for up to three years to encourage farmers to perform land management practices such as nutrient management, residue management, integrated pest management, and prescribed grazing, in the five Southern Maryland counties. EQIP offers 1-10 year contracts that provide incentive payments and cost-sharing for conservation practices. Applications will be accepted in two batches, then ranked and approved according to environmental benefits. EQIP applications received in NRCS field offices will be evaluated after sign-up closes. Limited resource producers and beginning farmers and ranchers may be eligible for higher cost-share rates. Now in its second year, NRCS has expanded its national Limited Resource Farmers Initiative to provide $10 million in EQIP funds to encourage limited resource producers and beginning farmers to participate in conservation programs. Farmers and ranchers may elect to use a certified technical service provider for technical assistance. Total EQIP payments are limited to $450,000 per individual or entity for the length of the current Farm Bill – 2002 through 2007.

Additional funding of cost-share practices or contracts may be available through Soil Conservation Districts and Maryland’s Conservation Partnership. One emphasis for this conservation program is the leveraging of EQIP funds with other conservation programs to provide even greater stewardship of natural resources. In addition to USDA EQIP funding, the Maryland Department of Agriculture provides cost-share funds for selected conservation practices, and the combined conservation funding makes it possible for farmers to install conservation management systems that before would have been prohibitively expensive. The 2002 Farm Bill allows EQIP cost-share assistance to small operations and large confined livestock operations for the construction of animal waste storage or treatment facilities. EQIP uses the State Technical Committee, an advisory group of government, environmental, and agribusiness officials, to help develop program criteria and state priorities. The State Technical Committee includes representatives from Maryland Soil Conservation Districts, NRCS, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), FSA County Committees, Maryland Cooperative Extension, and other federal, state, and local agencies and organizations interested in natural resource protection. “EQIP sign-up information is on the Internet on the NRCS Maryland homepage at www.md.nrcs.usda.gov in the Programs Section and is also available from the local NRCS office,” said Heisler. “In addition to the program application form, there is additional application information, a list of practices and costs, and specifics on Maryland’s ranking process, including criteria used to evaluate applications.” NRCS is USDA’s lead conservation agency and has worked hand-in-hand with farmers and landowners for almost 70 years to conserve natural resources on private lands. Maryland’s landowners can learn more about conserving natural resources by contacting NRCS Maryland through USDA Service Centers collocated with their County’s Soil Conservation Districts or by visiting the NRCS Maryland homepage at www.md.nrcs.usda.gov.

General Forestry Correspondence

Course Want to learn more about your forest? Work from the comfort of your home, using

your own woodlot, a friend's or a public forest while learning the basics of forestry, forest ecology, and forest health in this non-credit course. Find out how to protect your trees from insects, diseases and fire, conduct a forest inventory and stand analysis, familiarize yourself with the business of forestry, and develop a management plan for your forest. The General Forestry Correspondence Course is offered both spring (February 1-May 20) and fall (September 1-December 15). As part of the $150 registration fee, you receive a text notebook, separate appendices packed with resources, plus additional supplemental readings. A certificate of completion is awarded when all assignments are completed. For more information contact Nancy Stewart at the Wye Research and Education Center, University of Maryland Cooperative

Extension, P.O. Box 169, Queenstown, MD 21658; phone 410-827-8056, ext. 112; email nstewar1@umd.edu. You can also find the course brochure posted on our website at: www.naturalresources.umd.edu

Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation: Anne Arundel County Update

By Barbara A. Polito Land Preservation Programs

Funds are available for landowners interested in permanently preserving their agricultural land in Anne Arundel County. In addition to the County’s local installment purchase agreement program that offers tax-free interest payments and deferral of capital gains, Anne Arundel County participates with matching funds in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) program and the Rural Legacy program. The County also continues to offer property tax credits to landowners who participate in a County or MALPF District program for a ten-year period and the County or MALPF easement program. The County provides a 100% tax credit on land and up to $250,000 of assessed value of structures for ten-year District agreements and Easement properties that participate in the County and MALPF programs. For further information, contact the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks, (410) 222-7317.

Electronic Farm Soil Maps &

Satellite Imagery At: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/ Click on Start WSS – Then type in address – Remove the help box by clicking the upside down question mark – Use the AOI icon and curser to box and define area – apply the soil map overlay by clicking soil map -- Print.

Earth Also great pictures from satellite are available at Google earth. Go to www.Google.com to download Google Earth – Free.

Nutrient Management Update By Krista Wilson

Nutrient Management Advisor, Anne Arundel County Happy New Year! I’m back from maternity leave and back to my normal schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, and alternating Wednesdays, with the remainder of my time being spent in Howard County. Now is time to get started on those nutrient management plans for the 2006 growing season! That means taking new soil samples if you haven’t sampled your fields in the last 3 years and taking a manure sample if you spread manure on your farm. If you need information on what lab to send your samples to or how to take a sample, contact your county’s nutrient management

advisor (Diana Canter in P.G. County or Krista Wilson in Anne Arundel County). Once you have your soil test results, contact your nutrient management advisor at your local Extension office and work with her to develop a nutrient management plan for your operation prior to any nutrient application in the spring. Most producers will need a plan update, so check your nutrient management plan to see the period of time that your plan is considered ‘current’. Just a heads-up to all the producers (including horse boarding operations): I have gotten a few new clients because The MD Department of Agriculture (MDA) has begun their on-site farm inspections for producers that have never had a nutrient management plan compiled for their operation and also to see if farmers are implementing their nutrient management plans. ‘Implementing your nutrient management plan’ just means that you are following your plan’s fertilizer recommendations by not applying more than what is recommended for a specific crop, keeping fertilizer receipts and records on nutrient applications and crop yields, and keeping your Plans current by having your nutrient management advisor update it each crop year or whenever you decide to plant a different crop that is not included in your current nutrient management plan. MDA has complied a “Record Keeping Form” that provides spaces to record all of the information that is needed about your operation under the nutrient management law. We have these forms at the office, if you cannot locate the one that was given to you with your nutrient management Plan. The other important part of complying with the nutrient management law is the completion of the “Annual Implementation Reporting Form”, which was sent out in late December. Producers should complete this form and return it to MDA by the deadline. It asks you to list the nutrients that were applied to each crop in 2005. It also asks for your consultant’s certificate and license numbers, which can be found below your nutrient management advisor’s signature in the cover letter of your NMP. If anyone has any questions about this form, you can call MDA at (410) 841-5959 or your Nutrient Management Advisor for assistance.

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Website Visit us in Cyberspace!!!

Christie Kneipp is our website designer. Christie has recently updated our website, and we hope that you find the additions helpful. The current and past newsletter additions are available for viewing or copy at: http://www.agnr.umd.edu/extension/local%5Foffices/AnneArundel/files/agnews.cfm An agricultural bulletin page is also available for viewing or copy under our hot topics section at: http://www.agnr.umd.edu/extension/local%5Foffices/AnneArundel/files/agbulletins.cfm

"I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that

you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may

be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom." Abraham Lincoln in a letter to Mrs. Lydia Bixby" November 21, 1864 Thanks for Partnering Thanks for partnering with the Maryland Cooperative Extension, and supporting our programs. I also hope you enjoy this newsletter. If you are no longer interested in receiving this newsletter, please call or write the office for the removal of your name from the mailer. Sincerely,

R. David Myers Extension Educator Agriculture and Natural Resources Anne Arundel & Prince George’s Counties Fruits and Vegetables NACAA Communication Award Individual Newsletter 2002 National Winner Prince George’s Cooperative Extension 6707 Groveton Drive Clinton, MD 20735 301 868-8783 Anne Arundel Cooperative Extension 7320 Ritchie Highway, Suite 210 Glen Burnie, MD 21061 410 222-6759 or 301 970-8250 Note: Registered Trade Mark® Products, Manufacturers, or Companies mentioned within this newsletter are not to be considered as sole endorsements. The information has been provided for educational purposes only.