Good morning:

The NEWA system that most of us rely on for pest models and forecasting is not importing data from any stations right now because the data centers at the National Weather Service that process the data are experiencing outages. Until it is back up, we’ll need to rely on some rules of thumb to manage apple scab, which is the only real IPM issue of immediate concern right now. We can assume that all orchards except maybe those in the coolest inland/upland sites are in the accelerated scab phase. That means keeping covered with a protectant fungicide (mancozeb for most, sulfur for those managing organically) before every rain, and adding a material with postinfection activity if you think that coverage was questionable going into a wetting event. As they work better in cooler weather and have little activity against fruit scab so are of less use postbloom, Vangard or Scala (FRAC class 9 Anilinopyrimidine fungicides) are good choices.

I just posted a video yesterday on hanging tarnished bug traps to start the monitoring season. For most orchards that sell fruit direct to consumers I don’t worry too much about this pest, but they can cause substantial damage to wholesale-marketed fruit and to peaches. The trap is the same as that used for European apple sawfly, which we’ll hang in a couple of weeks and can be more damaging. Many here know that I am generally not a fan of prebloom insecticides for most Vermont orchards, but they can be an important tool in some situations. I’ll be including regular monitoring updates this season to help you to implement scouting on your farm.

On a similar note, a grower sent me pictures of aphids in their apple buds the other day. It is a bit early to see them, but I advised to wait and watch before taking action. Strating off with insecticide treatments this early in the season is a sure way to throw orchard ecology out of balance and favor secondary pests like mites and aphids that would be controlled by predator insects and allow them to become season-long pests.

More to come, and please keep and eye on https://newa.cornell.edu/, as I am sure it will be back in operation soon.

-TB

__

Terence Bradshaw (he/him)
Associate Professor, Specialty Crops
Interim Chair
Department of Plant and Soil Science
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

University of Vermont
117/210 – Jeffords Hall | 63 Carrigan Dr
Burlington, VT 05405

(802) 922-2591 | tbradsha
https://go.uvm.edu/pssbradshaw

Information for commercial orchard and vineyard managers in Vermont and beyond:

UVM Fruit Website | UVM Fruit Blog
Horticulture Research and Education Center
Message me on Teams

UVM’s Our Common Ground Values:
Respect | Integrity | Innovation | Openness | Justice | Responsibility

UVM is subject to the Vermont Public Records Act and communications to and from this email address, including attachments, are subject to disclosure unless exempted under the Act or otherwise applicable law.

Wine Sensory Evaluation Workshop

April 25, 2024, 9:00am – 12:00pm

Miliea Estate Vineyard, 450 Hollow Rd, Staatsburg, NY 12580

Attendance Fee : $20.00/person

In collaboration with Jeremy Schuster, Viticulture Specialist at the ENYCHP, Dr. Anna Katharine Mansfield and Chris Gerling, Enology Extension Specialists with the Cornell Craft Beverage Institute, will be presenting a wine production-focused, interactive workshop on sensory evaluation.

Topics include:

1) Are you a "super taster"? What does that mean?

2 Sensory thresholds, anosmias, and their critical role in wine evaluation

3) Flaws, faults, and taints, oh my! Sorbate flaws, oxidation, volatile acidity, TCA, Brettanomyces, & agricultural taints will be discussed

4) The perils of sensory descriptors

To register:

https://enych.cce.cornell.edu/event.php?id=1918

Laura McDermott┃Pronouns: she, her, hers

Sr. Extension Associate, Eastern NY – 415 Lower Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839

Cornell Cooperative Extension|Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program

Website┃Facebook┃Instagram┃Blog┃Podcast

Phone: 518-746-2562

Mobile: 518-791-5038

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer

Passing this in from the Agency of Agriculture. -TB

Hello,

The Agency of Agriculture is excited to announce that the Resilient Food System Infrastructure (RFSI) grant details will be released very soon! We’re reaching out to partners, TA providers, and those who supported our stakeholder engagement to offer a “heads up” that the RFA will be released next week; we know there may be an influx of questions once that goes live and we’ve gotten feedback that even a small bit of advance notice is helpful.

Some basics of the grant and the two tracks:

· Grant Overview: One-time USDA funding to build resiliency in the middle of the supply chain (aggregation, distribution, manufacturing, processing, storing, transporting, and wholesaling). Grants will support market development for local and regional food products, promoting value-added products, and fair and safe jobs.

· Track 1 – Infrastructure: Grant details will be announced in mid April, with applications open early Mary to early June 2024. Approximately $2 million will be available in grants ranging from $100,000 – $500,000 with a match requirement (reduced match available). Projects will begin in late fall 2024.

· Track 2 – Equipment-only: Grant details will be announced in August 2024, with applications open in the early fall. Approximately $1 million will be available in grants ranging from $30,000 to $100,000 with no match requirement. Projects will begin in early 2025.

• Applicants can only be awarded one RFSI track; applicants for the infrastructure grant will know if they are being recommended for award to USDA before the Equipment-Only Track opens in August.

· Eligible projects: supporting the middle of the supply chain by expanding processing capacity, modernizing equipment or facilities, construction, packaging capacity, storage space, updated or climate-smart equipment, etc. This funding cannot support meat, poultry, seafood, animal feed, fiber, cannabis, farm production, or retail. On-farm processing or value-add is eligible.

· Eligible applicants: farmers, processors, nonprofits, local government, institutions, food hubs, distributors.

· Priority will be given to projects who benefit limited resource farmers and ranchers, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, and veteran farmers.

We will hold a recorded webinar on April 30, 2024 from 11am – 12pm where applicants can hear more details and ask questions. Register here.

We will also continuously update a FAQ document, as we know this funding is a bit complex. If you have any questions, please send my way, and I can either respond now or include in the FAQ.

Please feel free to spread the word and we look forward to getting all the details online in 2 weeks!

Thank you,

-Julia

Julia Scheier (she/her)

Market Development Section Chief | Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

116 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602-2901 | http://agriculture.vermont.gov

Tel: 802-522-7042

At this time of the year, we should always be keeping an eye on the weather in the week ahead, and the shift toward warmer temperatures this week means that we may be seeing the first signs of green tissue on trees in many sites in Vermont. Green tip indicates the beginning of the growing season, and is an important biofix for apple scab models. Keep checking your trees daily and note the date when 50% of buds on ‘McIntosh’ have opened enough to see green tissue from the side. That date should be used in NEWA to mark your biofix for apple scab ascospore maturity. For the UVM Horticulture Farm in South Burlington, that was today.

Potential for apple scab infection increases with temperatures as more ascospores mature to be released in rain events. In the early season. Not many spores are mature, and if you had good scab control last year, i.e., no visible lesions all season, then the small percentage of mature spores in a low inoculum situation may give you some early season breathing room. But if you did have a problem with scab last year, or a neighboring orchard harbors substantial inoculum, you should be ready early in the season to protect your trees. Copper is the standard, first spray of the year in virtually all orchard, as it helps to reduce fire blight inoculum and is a moderate fungicide against scab that can cover the first infection event for that disease.

But copper is a tricky material- it must be on the plant and not washed-off by the time fire blight cankers are oozing with the onset of warm weather, but if applied too late, copper ions on developing buds can cause fruit russeting. I would plan on applying copper to any orchard that had any amount of fire blight last year and which is showing green tissue or at least solid silver tip as soon as you have a suitable spray window. If possible, I would plan on applying copper to any orchard, period, that is between silver tip and half-inch green in the next 7-10 days. There is a pile of materials out there and for all intents and purposes for this delayed dormant spray any of them are effective as long as you are applying a good full rate of copper ions. The standard dry materials like Champ, C-O-C-S, Cuprofix, Kocide, etc. will give you the best bang for the buck here, and I would apply the full label rate for any of them and thoroughly spray the whole orchard. The only caveat I offer is if phenology advances rapidly before you can get out there and the trees are at 1/2” green tip, in that case, I would apply a low to middle rate. After 1/2” green tip, unless you don’t care about fruit finish (e.g., cider fruit), I would avoid copper.

This isn’t a bad time to get oil on, either, but the rate should be 2% by volume and coverage absolutely thorough to soak overwintering mite eggs, scale, and aphids. If time is of the essence, focus on copper first.

There is still time to do some sanitation in the orchard by flail mowing leaves and fine brush, and/or applying a coarse urea spray (44 lb feed grade urea in 100 gal water applied per acre, directed at the leaf litter) to speed decomposition and reduce apple scab inoculum.

Keep an eye on NEWA regularly as we enter into the 2024 season. I am seeing some stations that are offline- please contact me if you need help maintaining yours. Up-to-date spray tables may be found in the New England Tree Fruit Management Guide available online at netreefruit.org and shortly in hard copy format.

__

Terence Bradshaw (he/him)
Associate Professor, Specialty Crops
Interim Chair
Department of Plant and Soil Science
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

University of Vermont
117/210 – Jeffords Hall | 63 Carrigan Dr
Burlington, VT 05405

(802) 922-2591 | tbradsha
https://go.uvm.edu/pssbradshaw

Information for commercial orchard and vineyard managers in Vermont and beyond:

UVM Fruit Website | UVM Fruit Blog
Horticulture Research and Education Center
Message me on Teams

UVM’s Our Common Ground Values:
Respect | Integrity | Innovation | Openness | Justice | Responsibility

UVM is subject to the Vermont Public Records Act and communications to and from this email address, including attachments, are subject to disclosure unless exempted under the Act or otherwise applicable law.

A grower in Northern New Hampshire is retiring and selling his full line of commercial cider pressing equipment, including:

· Greefa apple sorter with outfeed tables

· Tew apple washer with infeed conveyor

· Oesco Sanifeed with conveyor

· 18" Oesco stainless table rack press (upgraded), with new cloths

· 250 gallon stainless bulk tank with compressor & agitator

· Single door dairy case with new compressor

· 5 nozzle stainless siphon filler

· 2 transfer pumps

· All hoses, fittings, and electrical switches

See the listing for pictures and contact information:

https://vermont.craigslist.org/grd/d/whitefield-cider-equipment/7714410477.html

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied. Always read the label before using any pesticide. The label is the legal document for the product use. Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, UVM Extension, USDA NIFA E-IPM Program, and USDA Risk Management Agency.

UVM Extension helps individuals and communities put research-based knowledge to work. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.

I hope it’s not another nail biter of a season, but this ‘winter’ has many of us concerned about early bud break and spring frost risk on vines, again, for many. I want to highlight this webinar offered on 9:00-12:00 AM Thursday, March 14 by Michigan State University Extension Grape program that should be of interest to many. It is free to attend but you must preregister. https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/prepare-for-potential-late-winter-freeze-and-early-spring-frost-risks-in-michigan-vineyards?utm_source=cc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=extensiondigests. Find the registration link at the bottom.

As far as any wisdom I have to offer, I am afraid it’s not a lot as it comes to magic fixes as we enter what could be an early bud break. I have had some growers ask me about spray-on frost/freeze inhibitors like RedOx or Agro-K KDL and I just don’t have good independent, consistent, science-based recommendations for their use. That said, if we are seeing frost / freeze conditions that could affect sensitive budded out or deacclimated vines, a couple hundred dollars may be cheap insurance for a product that may not work. At this point, vines should still be hardy down below 0°F based on the Cornell Climate Smart Farming model, so we still have some time before we get too concerned. Note- since many may run over to that model, please keep in mind that models can be erroneously inaccurate based on input parameters. I do not trust the rapid deacclimation that the model shows in thew next week, as I cannot replicate it in any past weather scenarios. I think the model is showing a couple of warmer days coming up and setting a trend based on them, but that is not what the long-range forecast says. Either way, get your pruning done.

On the note of pruning, one practice that we know can delay bud break is to long prune. This works if you are spur pruning, where a longer spur of 4-6 extra buds is left which delays the bud break of basal buds on the spur. It’s likely too late to long prune anything you pruned in winter, and if you do long prune, you will still need to trim those spurs down to 1-2 buds at shoot thinning time.

Good luck out there, and let’s hope the spring comes in like a nice, gentle lamb.

-Terry

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied. Always read the label before using any pesticide. The label is the legal document for the product use. Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, UVM Extension, USDA NIFA E-IPM Program, and USDA Risk Management Agency.

UVM Extension helps individuals and communities put research-based knowledge to work. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.

I need this information by the end of the day Thursday, 2/29!!!

Good evening:

https://go.uvm.edu/23freezedamage

I will be testifying Friday afternoon on VT House Bill H.813 that would provide funds to tree fruit growers affected by the May 18, 2023 freeze event. As written, the bill is restricted to tree fruit (mainly apple) growers, yet the grape growers have recently testified on the impact of the freeze to their industry. As a public Extension employee, I will be presenting data that does not advocate for legislation but rather informs legislators so they may take the best course of action in crafting policy.

I need good, accurate data to make my testimony effective.

https://go.uvm.edu/23freezedamage

Please complete this survey- even if you have already given me this data in any other prior survey- so that I may have the most accurate information available. It is really simple, and completely anonymous.

Thank you. I hope this will be productive and will inform the legislation appropriately.

https://go.uvm.edu/23freezedamage

Terry

Sending this on behalf of the Duttons and the industry overall. The VT House Agriculture Committee is taking testimony Thursday on a bill to provide financial relief to farmers affected by last year’s freeze. Please se the information below if you’d like to participate. -TB

Hello, fellow apple growers of Vermont,

I am emailing you to encourage you to step forward and give witness testimony for the frost that affected our apple crop last May. We lost between 80-90% of our apple crop on our farm in Windham county. Bill H.813, or the Tree Fruit Farmer Assistance Program, is going to be reviewed by the House Committee on Agriculture tomorrow at 2:45 pm; testimony will be given by Casey Darrow (Green Mountain Orchards), Simon Renault (Scott Farm) and Joseph Dutton (Dutton Berry Farm). The committee is open to testimony, again on Thursday at 1:00 pm; if any of you are available to testify I encourage you to. You can attend in person or on zoom. For further information on how you can testify, email SLary.

In case you are not aware Bill H.813 (An act relating to establishing the Tree Fruit Farmer Assistance Program) was put forth by Rep. Arrison of Weathersfield, and Rep. Mrowicki of Putney, (Anthony of Barre City, Burke of Brattleboro, Chase of Chester, Hooper of Burlington, Ode of Burlington, Patt of Worcester, Rice of Dorset, Sibilia of Dover, and Surprenant of Barnard) on the 16th of January. If this bill is passed, farmers will be able to submit an application and be eligible to receive aid for lost revenue from our apple crops.

Thank you all for reading this, and thank you to everyone who is working towards getting this bill passed or any other aid that will help us after this loss.

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.813 2024 Page 1 of 3

House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Agenda

Lily Dutton, on behalf of Dutton Berry Farm

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied. Always read the label before using any pesticide. The label is the legal document for the product use. Disregard any information in this message if it is in conflict with the label.

The UVM Tree Fruit and Viticulture Program is supported by the University of Vermont Agriculture Experiment Station, UVM Extension, USDA NIFA E-IPM Program, and USDA Risk Management Agency.

UVM Extension helps individuals and communities put research-based knowledge to work. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.

Registration is now open for pesticide applicator meetings provided by the University of Vermont Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program. Approved credits by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets and may be applied to all New England participants under cooperative agreement.

• March 19: Agricultural Pesticide Applicator Meeting updates on pest management and pesticide safety practices in agriculture for certified applicators (virtual via Zoom)
• April 9: Initial Pesticide Certification Meeting review of the Northeast CORE Manual followed by the Vermont Pesticide Applicator CORE Exam for new applicators (in-person)

See below for details.

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Agricultural Pesticide Applicator Meeting

March 19, 2024

9am-1:30pm Virtual via Zoom

Please register at: https://go.uvm.edu/vtaa24. Registration fee is $30. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Updates on pest management and pesticide safety practices in agriculture for certified applicators. Agenda will include Regulatory Updates, Rodenticide Use Standards, Vermont Pollinator Rule FAQs and Best Practices, Avoiding Herbicide Resistance in Weed Management, Worker Protection Standards Review, Respirator Safety & Fit Testing.

This program will provide Vermont and New York recertification credits. In order to receive credits you must log in individually and answer poll questions during the meeting. Those seeking NY credit must submit a copy of their applicator ID by March 15 and check-in for roll call prior to start of meeting.

Visit sarah.kingsley

Sponsored by UVM Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program and Vermont Agency of Agriculture

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. Any reference to commercial products, trade names, or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended.

***************************

Initial Pesticide Certification Meeting

April 9, 2024

9am-4pm

In-Person Interactive Sites: Rutland, Brattleboro, St. Johnsbury, Burlington

Please register at: https://go.uvm.edu/core24. Registration fee is $40. After April 1, Late Registration is $60.

Review of the Northeast CORE Manual and inserts followed by the Vermont Pesticide Applicator CORE Exam for new applicators. This review is for anyone in the state of Vermont who uses, supervises, recommends, or sells pesticides and/or trains Worker Protection Standard pesticide handlers/agricultural workers.

This program does not provide recertification credits. It is necessary to study the CORE manual and regulations before the review to have all the knowledge necessary to pass the exam. A passing score of 75% is required. CORE manuals and required inserts (pdf downloads) must be obtained in advance from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets at https://go.uvm.edu/vaafm-manuals

Visit sarah.kingsley

Sponsored by UVM Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program and Vermont Agency of Agriculture

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. Any reference to commercial products, trade names, or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended.

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Since 2002, more than 100 farmers, producers and people dedicated to supporting Vermont’s working landscape have been inducted into the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame! Each new year brings new nominations throughout Vermont’s Agricultual landscape. Nominations do not carry over from previous years if not selected, but we invite you to resubmit nominations again this year if compelled.

You may nominate one individual per category. Nominations will be accepted until 5pm Friday March 8th.

Please submit between 500/1000 words regarding your nomination and keep in mind that the judging panel may not be familiar with the nominee.

There are 3 categories:

Emerging Leader: This category highlights those who are stepping up to become the next generation of agricultural leaders in Vermont. Age 40 or younger (born after June 1, 1984), these individuals demonstrate a deep commitment to Vermont’s working landscape and are poised to lead our Ag community into the future. They are remarkable for their service, youthful energy, and dedication to Vermont agriculture.

Ag Innovator: Those in consideration for this category have demonstrated a fresh and forward-thinking approach to agriculture. They are making or have made a significant, positive impact on Vermont, in areas such as but not limited to: growing the local economy, promoting stewardship and conservation, improving community health and nutrition, developing new tools and practices, and using alternative models in business and land ownership. They are notable for their unique perspective and unconventional approach. (Age is not a factor for consideration in this category.)

Lifetime Achievement: This category recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to the advancement, improvement, or development of Vermont agriculture over the course of their long career. Nominees shall have played an active role in Vermont agriculture for at least thirty years.

The Vermont Ag Hall of Fame organizing committee encourages nominations from and of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.