Producers new to Farm Service Agency programs are encouraged to participate

Trouble viewing this email? View it as a webpage. USDA to Host Webinar for Producers Interested in Applying for Direct Payments through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) will host a webinar on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at 1 p.m. ET, for farmers, ranchers and other producers interested in applying for direct payments through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). As part of President Trump and Secretary Perdue’s April 17 announcement of a $19 billion Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program, USDA will provide $16 billion in direct support based on losses for agricultural producers where prices and market supply chains have been impacted. Also, USDA will assist eligible producers facing additional adjustment and marketing costs resulting from lost demand and short-term oversupply for the 2020 marketing year caused by COVID-19. USDA is hosting this webinar to share what information is needed to apply for direct payments through CFAP, once the application period begins.The webinar is an opportunity for producers to learn about the general application process and required documentation prior to the official beginning of signup. Producers who are new to participating in FSA programs are especially encouraged to join the webinar. Producers interested in participating may register in advance. CFAP.webinars. While questions will not be answered live during the webinar, they will be posted at farmers.gov/CFAP along with a recording of the webinar and other CFAP information. More details about CFAP direct payments will be announced soon.

The good thing is that insect and fire blight activity remain pretty low. On the other hand, we have potential for an extended scab event starting today and lasting through the weekend. This is a tough one to plan around. Ascospore maturity is creeping up, and significant wetting, especially today, can discharge a lot of spores. Hours required for infection to occur are likely pretty high, given the cold weather, but it does look like an infection will happen. Orchards should be covered with a fungicide, and a material with kick-back activity applied when the winds die down (Monday?) if there is any question of coverage.

While spraying, any orchards between tight cluster and pink should receive the prebloom nutrient cocktail that will help buds to recover from cold and enhance fertilization during bloom. Zinc and boron are important minerals which will help trees recover from cold damage, and nitrogen is needed at this time of year when rapid growth taxes tree reserves. Refer to Mary Concklin’s quick summary here for more information: http://blog.uvm.edu/fruit/files/2016/04/Tree-Fruit-Foliar-Nutrient-Applications-and-Nutrients-PGRs-for-Frost-Freeze-Situations.pdf.

Speaking of cold, many of us are concerned about the cold that’s coming this weekend. Remember that fruit buds, even at bloom, are hardy to about 28°F, and more closed buds are even hardier. This is expected to be an extended cold period, though, with high wind that could dessicate buds (although a coating of snow ought to keep some moisture in). I think we’ll be on the safer side of the tightrope, given the expected temperatures I’m seeing (30F in Champlain valley and Southern Vermont, 27 inland where buds are more closed, give or take). I’ll talk next week about how to check buds for damage after the fact.

Plan on draining water lines and sprayers today. Better safe than sorry.

Finally, I’ll share some advice I received from Jim Wargo @ Valent USA regarding plant growth regulator use to increase fruit set on apples that have suffered from cold events:

PROMALIN Plant Growth Regulator is well-known as a tool to improve fruit set after a frost. The active ingredients in PROMALIN replaces the hormonal signal that is lost when developing seeds are killed or damaged by low temperatures during bloom, allowing the fruit to grow with reduced or no seeds, and often to normal size. Promalin does not repair or heal damaged flower parts. It simply replaces the hormonal signal that normally comes from the developing ovules (seeds) when pollination and ovule fertilization has been accomplished. But what about cold injury that occurs prior to bloom – at tight cluster to early pink? Anecdotal observations suggest applying Promalin within 24 hours of frost events during these earlier growth stages is less effective or not effective at all. My guess is there are two possible reasons wh. 1) Applying Promalin (a hormonal signal) at a time which is out of step for the normal signaling process that begins after pollination (bloom – petal fall) is not effective at “tricking” the tree. And 2) Promalin applied prior to bloom gets metabolized (broken down) by the plant cells and is no longer present when needed at the post pollination/fertilization time. For perspective, the use pattern of another PGR, ProVide, comes to mind. ProVide (GA4+7) is basically Promalin without the 6BA and is used to reduce skin russeting and scarf skin disorders on apples. Weekly ProVide applications starting at petal fall are needed to sustain sufficient levels of GA4+7 in the plant over the time period when fruitlets are most susceptible to russet. The applied GA’s get metabolized over time which is why multiple applications of low rates work better than a single application of a high rate e.g. 12 oz/A at petal fall. One application of GA4+7 just doesn’t stick around long enough to have the same effect as multiple lower rate applications do.

One possible work around for flowers that are damaged prior to bloom is to delay the application of Promalin until full bloom. In other words, do not apply it within 24 hours of the frost event that occurs at tight cluster – early pink. Wait until the trees come in to full bloom, apply a pint of Promalin at that time and then another pint at petal fall. The two applications at bloom and petal fall are within label guidelines. This approach is theoretical, but if we are trying to trick the trees, we need to have the hormones available and in sufficient quantity at the time the tree is deciding what to do with that fruitlet – hang it on or let it go. The tree is not making that decision at pink or prior to that – it’s too early. My recommendation for a 2nd pint at petal fall is to prolong the level of hormones in the plant to further enhance fruit set. As a disclaimer, if flower clusters are damaged beyond repair, no PGR treatment will work. In order to have any effect, injury must be restricted to the reproductive parts of the flower e.g. stigma, style, anther, ovary. If receptacle tissue is damaged, then all bets are off.

ReTain Plant Growth Regulator – How ReTain works to enhance fruit set is completely different than Promalin, and the two should not be used interchangeably. ReTain inhibits ethylene and in turn extends the effective pollination period – defined as the number of days during which pollination is effective in producing a fruit. It is determined by the longevity of the ovules minus the time lag between pollination and fertilization. ReTain will do nothing for flowers that have been damaged by cold injury. In addition to benefitting varieties that are inherently predisposed to poor set e.g. SweeTango, Evercrisp, ReTain may have benefits when pollination conditions are less than ideal – in particular, challenging weather conditions (cool temperatures, strong winds and rain during the bloom period). Honeybee activity is limited during rains and heavy winds and when temperatures are below 65F. This is where ReTain can help, by extending ovule longevity, it broadens the window of opportunity for pollination/fertilization of the ovules by 3 – 5 days. The idea is to get past the challenging weather conditions and still have flowers that are capable of setting fruit.

Recommendations for using ReTain for enhancing fruit set:

• For varieties that naturally have a long bloom period or in years with poor pollination weather during bloom apply ½ pouch of ReTain when 25 – 30% of king flowers are open and ½ pouch at 75% king bloom. Do not use a surfactant
• For varieties that have relatively shorter bloom period or in years with more ideal pollination weather apply 1 full pouch of ReTain when 20% of the king bloom is open. Do not use a surfactant

Here is a real-life example of how I decided to make a decision regarding PGR use in my own orchard. I experienced bud damage on my earliest varieties (Empire, McIntosh) from frost events at tight cluster. I was preparing to spray Promalin at bloom, but when the trees started entering king bloom on 5/5, I noticed the damage was not nearly as severe as I had thought. However, the forecast for the next ten days here in CT does not bode well (high/low temps) 60/42, 54/34/, 44/35, 51/42, 50/38, 51/36, 54/41, 56/48, 63/55. The only day that looks to have any decent potential for bee activity is Friday May 15th! I’ve decided to apply ReTain instead of Promalin during bloom to extend flower viability in hopes it warms up to >65F eventually. Mother nature has the final say, all we can do is wait it out. ReTain gives us the ability to broaden the pollination window and play the waiting game…

Along with the PGR applications, I would strongly suggest growers utilize the Warren Stiles foliar nutrition program for enhancing fruit set – urea (3 lb./100 gallons dilute) and boron (0.1 -0.3 lb. B/A) at tight cluster to pink. Followed up by another shot of urea (5 lb/100 gal) and Boron (0.1-0.3 lb B/100 gallons) at petal fall. The Boron will help with pollen germination and pollen tube growth. The urea provides N which is a precursor to polyamines. Polyamines have been shown to extend the effective pollination period by increasing ovule longevity. Zinc chelates may also be applied prebloom – up through tight cluster stage.

Regards,

Jim

James Wargo

Territory Manager, Northeast

Valent USA

678-357-2400

jwarg

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Forwarding from Tom Berry in Senator Leahy’s office:

Agricultural programs were excluded from the first round of applications for this program. That was changed in the subsequent action by Congress. Now SBA is opening applications exclusively for agriculture. The portal is otherwise closed while SBA works through a backlog, and the reopening seems to be exclusive to agriculture.

Those who are inclined to apply should do so as soon as possible.

Tom

(802) 355-2213

20-38-05 04 20 EIDL reopening.pdf

Visit http://go.uvm.edu/sellvtfood for more info.

Safely Selling Local Food at Farm Stands and CSAs during COVID-19

When: Wednesday, May 6, 12-1 PM

Where: You can call in by phone or connect through your computer on Zoom. Register here.

Demand for local food is surging, and many Vermont farms are heeding the call to feed their communities. They have adapted time and again to the evolving COVID-19 situation to ensure the safety of their food, customers, employees, and farms. They’re even selling products from other farms, along with their own meat, dairy, produce, maple, etc.

Join us online or by phone for a discussion about COVID-19 best practices for farmstands and CSA models. We’ll give an update on the latest guidelines – whatever they are on May 6.

Presenters include:

• Sara and James from Trillium Hill Farm in Hinesburg
• Ashlyn and Abraham from Rebop Farm in Brattleboro
• Kristina from the Vermont Agency of Ag
• Bill from NOFA-VT

Register in advance for this meeting: https://uvmextension.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpceGtrT4vGNzEs07bb0MCwTB0JzTY8e2V

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Feel free to send Lisa.Chase questions in advance.

This conversation is part of the Sourcing & Selling Vermont Food in the Time of COVID-19 Series being developed by a team from UVM Extension, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Vermont Farm to Plate, Vermont Fresh Network, NOFA-VT and other partners to help Vermont’s farm and food system build resiliency and support safety in these challenging times. Visit http://go.uvm.edu/sellvtfood for more info.

To request a disability-related accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Becky Bartlett at 802-257-7967 so we may assist you.

UVM Extension helps individuals and communities put research-based knowledge to work. 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.

As we shift into a new (not really) world of online content delivery, I’ll be beefing up the content on the UVM Orchard YouTube channel. Here’s a Video I did yesterday where I checked early season insect traps for European apple sawfly and tarnished plant bug.

Upcoming Webinar on U-Pick

If you have questions about these recommendations, Laura McDermott, CCE Berry Specialist with the ENY Horticulture Team, is hosting a webinar.

Best Management Practices for U-Pick During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Thursday, April 30, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

· Join via Zoom online at:

· Or dial by phone: 1-646-518-9805 Meeting ID: 955 1458 6018

· Join via Skype for Business at:

From Cornell University’s Marvin Pritts:

Dear farmers and friends,

For 8 years, I had the pleasure of operating a U-Pick strawberry farm here in the Ithaca area. I took deep pride in the strawberries we grew and the experience we provided to all of our visitors. The sense of community created fed our spirit as they filled their buckets!

U-Pick is a critical direct marketing approach for many of our small farms and provides customers with a unique connection to fresh produce grown close to home. The time spent outdoors gathering one’s own produce is a chance to share in our local bounty, support our farmers, and stock up for the future.

U-Pick farms from around the country have reported an increase in customers who are hungry for all of these opportunities during this pandemic. What will it take to be ready for our U-Pick season?

In light of what we understand about the spread of COVID-19, new management practices will be needed to protect your U-Pick farm team and your customers. This will take some more planning as well as possibly adding more staff to your team.

To help you, we have created this set of best management practices (BMPs) for operating a U-Pick farm during COVID-19. Our team included me, Marvin Pritts (Cornell Berry Specialist), Elizabeth Bihn (Produce Safety Alliance), Laura McDermott (ENY Horticulture Team Berry Specialist) and Esther Kibbe (Harvest NY Berry Specialist).

These BMPs focus on handwashing, physical distancing, and sanitation of surfaces. There are several tactics that should be implemented before the season begins. Developing a clear communication strategy with your customers will be central to making sure that everyone understands, before they arrive at the farm, that we are in this together.

The online BMPs will be updated weekly based upon any new guidance we receive from NYSDAM or NYDOH. There is also a PDF version that you can download and share with your staff, since this will take a team effort.