2012

The 2012 Spray Record-Keeping Spreadsheet has been Updated with a New Function to Calculate Season-Long Use of a Product! May 23, 2012: The pesticides listed are the same as they were two months ago, but the spreadsheet now has a new function. A Pivot Table that is located to the right of the spreadsheet, allowing growers to fill in chemical use information, is designed to calculate how many times a grower uses specific sprays throughout a season.
How Consumers Use Social Networks to Connect with Food Retailers: Blogging and Tweeting May 21, 2012: In this week’s installment of data describing how consumers use social media to engage with food retailers, we are sharing demographic characteristics of participants who indicated they were blogging or tweeting and how this could help your business.
May 21st Disease Update May 21, 2012: Based on the Sky-Bit Ag E-Weather forecast and the MaryBlyt infection model, there is a potential for fire blight infections May 21st to 24th. Check newly planted and fire blight susceptible blocks for late bloom and apply control measures as needed.
Disease Infection Status May 16, 2012: The primary scab infection period is almost over. Mature spore release is now down to less than 2% from the 100% peak on April 17.
Carbon Balance Model Tables for May 5 to 19 May 16, 2012: This will be the last posting of the Cornell MaluSim carbon balance tables. Most areas of the state are now beyond the effective thinning fruit size. As you can see all areas are in a carbon surplus meaning fruit is being adequately supplied with carbon and should not respond to thinners. As mentioned yesterday by Jim Schupp, there seems to be a heavy fruit drop in south-central and southeastern PA in response to a carbon deficit back the first week of May.
Apple Re-Thinning Advisory for May 15, 2012 May 15, 2012: Growers are advised to carefully check their orchards prior to making another thinning application. In Adams County, it is ten days since a stress event caused by three days of cloudy weather and we are beginning to see a new wave of fruit drop.
How Consumers Use Social Networks to Connect with Food Retailers: Sharing Facebook Content May 14, 2012: As we continue with presenting data from an Internet survey conducted to learn how consumers use social media to engage with food retailers, below you will see highlights related to the demographic characteristics of participants who shared content on Facebook and with whom they shared.
Carbon Balance Model for May 14 May 14, 2012: Below are the carbon balance tables from Cornell’s MaluSim model. All regions show a projected surplus of carbon, meaning the trees will be less responsive to chemical thinners. Berks and Southwestern Adams county show a slight deficit for today but not very strong; over the next two days it will be positive.
Carbon Balance Model for May 11 May 11, 2012: Below are the Carbon Balance Model tables for five locations around the state based on SkyBit temperatures and radiation estimates. The graph represents data from the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville.
Carbon Balance Model for May 10, 2012 May 10, 2012: The carbon balance model for the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville indicates that May 9th was essentially a neutral day, with neither a large carbon surplus nor a deficit. Cool temperatures and increased sunlight on May 10th are initiating what is forecasted to be a 3 day period of projected surpluses.
Disease Update for May 9th, 2012 May 9, 2012: In Biglerville, rainfall from April 18 through May 8 was mostly scattered, with soaking rainfall totaling 3.52 inches. This likely resulted in apple scab, fire blight, rust, bacterial spot and cherry leaf spot infections on unprotected susceptible blossoms, foliage and fruitlets.
Carbon Balance Model Updates May 9, 2012: Based on the predicted weather, the carbon balance model suggests we will be in a carbon surplus period. High temperatures for Thursday and Friday are not expected to get out of the upper 60’s.
Updated MaluSlim Carbon Balance Model Tables May 8, 2012: Warm cloudy weather should result in negative balances in some areas of the state. Today’s balance and for the next two days were derived from SkyBit forecasted weather.
How Consumers Use Social Networks to Connect with Food Retailers: Facebook Ads May 7, 2012: In our previous article, we discussed how demographics affect what respondents expect from a food business on Facebook. In this installment we describe some of the highlights of the data related to how people interact with business pages by posting content and clicking on a company’s Facebook ad.
The Latest MaluSlim Carbon Balance Model for the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center May 7, 2012: The attached graph illustrates the carbon balance data for the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The last three dates including today are based on weather forecasts from SkyBit.
The Forecast for Southeastern Pennsylvania has Pushed Some of the Cloud Cover Back a Few Days May 4, 2012: As indicated in yesterday's thinning advisory for Southeastern Pennsylvania, it is important to adjust for changes in the weather forecast. Here is the carbon balance model for this morning.
Apple Chemical Thinning Advisory for Southeastern PA, May 3, 2012 May 3, 2012: The diameter of the largest fruits in many orchards is in the 12-14 mm range, meaning that we are in the advanced stages of the primary thinning window. So what does the Carbon Balance Model say? The Model reports that there has been a mild carbon deficit for the last two days, even though temperatures were only in the 60s yesterday, and much cooler than was forecasted. This mild deficit is due to low sunlight levels for the last three days. A much stronger deficit is predicted for the next several days, due to the much warmer temperatures plus cloud cover that is forecasted.
How Consumers Use Social Networks to Connect with Food Retailers: Facebook Usage May 1, 2012: Last week, we introduced you to research that members of Penn State Extension conducted in 2010 to better understand how consumers use social media to engage with food retailers. This week we are providing some of the highlights of the data related to Facebook.
Cornell MaluSim Carbon Balance Model Update for Penn State FREC April 30, 2012: The Cornell MaluSim Model can be used to assess potential thinning response of apple trees. Environmental and physiological factors that are considered in the model include: leaf area development, light interception, daily canopy photosynthesis, respiration rate and dry matter partitioning within the tree.
A New Tool for Apple Cropload Management - Cornell MaluSim Model for Determining Carbon Balance in Apple Trees April 25, 2012: Dr. Alan Lakso, the Cornell pomologist who developed this model, explains that "the Cornell simplified apple carbon balance model estimates the general balance of tree carbohydrate supply versus demand of a 'standard tree', reflecting the effects of the input weather. It is not intended to apply to any specific orchard, thus the results should be used appropriately."
Early Season Disease Development Situation April 23, 2012: Apple scab lesions appeared April 17 on trees that were not adequately protected March 20-25. This could have led to severe secondary infection April 18-23. Proper and thorough coverage at this time of the year is critical for preventing infection of young fruits. This article contains updates on pome and stone fruit diseases and new fungicide properties.
How Consumers Use Social Networks to Connect with Food Retailers April 23, 2012: Earlier this year, a podcast series “Social Media and Food Retailers: Consumer Perspectives” was released on YouTube to describe the results of a consumer study designed to better understand how consumers use social media to engage with food retailers. Social media tools (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc.) allow for two-way communication between the consumer and the food retailer, and these research results provide important insights for food retailers interested in enhancing their marketing efforts.
Confusion in the Insect World Due to the Early Season April 20, 2012: Looking at the comparisons of accumulated degree-days (base 43) for the last 6 years, as of April 20 we are still about 100-150 DD ahead from any other year or about 200-300 DD ahead of the average DD accumulation for this time of the year. And while this difference is becoming smaller as the spring progresses (especially when compared to the weather pattern during the spring of 2010 season), this unusual weather seems to have caused a lot of confusion in the insect world that surrounds our fruit trees.
Frost Protection for Berries April 19, 2012: Given the growth stage of berry crops and the current weather, frost protection is on everyone’s mind. In this update, you will find a re-run of a portion of a frost-related article, and some frost-related “Berry Good Questions” from past years paraphrased and condensed, plus a couple of new ones thrown in. Most of this information is also contained in Appendix A in the Mid-Atlantic Berry Guide, along with a lot of other frost-protection information.
Special Opportunity for Strawberry Producers April 19, 2012: PA MarketMaker, wants to help Pennsylvania agricultural businesses make a splash online by showcasing delicious foods made with Pennsylvania strawberries on Pinterest.com. Submissions will be pinned to the “PA MarketMaker Pinterest Contest” Pinboard, where consumers from around the globe may see your recipe and learn about your business.
Early-Season Temperatures Affect Peach Fruit Size April 18, 2012: We have known for more than 80 years that post-bloom temperatures can influence harvest date, but not until recently have we realized that post-bloom temperatures can also affect fruit size at harvest.
An Orchard Blueprint for High Density Apple Plantings April 18, 2012: As you train your high density orchards this spring, keep in mind some underlying components ("blueprint") for a successful intensive apple system.
2012 Version of the Orchard Spray Record Spreadsheet Now Available at Penn State FREC Website! April 18, 2012: The Orchard Spray Record Spreadsheet has been updated for 2012 with 26 new pesticides and herbicides. This is an easy-to-use tool to help growers keep track of spray records with individual sheets for Apples, Peaches, Cherries and Pears. The spreadsheet is set up with drop-down lists for easier and faster completion. It will keep track of the various products used and maintain a cost summary.
First Apple Scab Lesions Observed at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville April 17, 2012: As explained at the orchard twilight meeting last week, we expected and found the first scab lesions today on non-sprayed check trees of Delicious, Golden Delicious, Cortland and Stayman.
Apple Thinning in 2012 – Postponed, not Cancelled! April 17, 2012: Several cold temperature events before and during bloom occurred in 2012. This resulted in apple flower mortality, and there is also a possibility of some non-lethal injury to flowers and/or spur leaves. This leads to some uncertainty about the number and strength of initial fruit set.
After-Infection Control of Rusts April 13, 2012: If you are in an area prone to cedar-apple or quince rusts, many of the apple scab wetting periods were also favorable for rust infection.
Follow the Weather Forecast for this Weekend and Apply Streptomycin before likely Fire Blight Infection Events April 13, 2012: If there is wetting during the anticipated warm-up on April 15th to 17th, there is the potential for severe fire blight infections.
Apple Scab and Powdery Mildew Updates - Watch for the First Scab Lesions this Week April 13, 2012: Apple scab lesions should be expected this week on trees that were not adequately protected March 20th to 25th. Any infections could lead to a severe secondary infection on April 17th, given the current weather forecast.
Potential for Fire Blight April 11, 2012: Based on conditions at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center and the Sky Bit Ag E-Weather Apple IPM Disease Report, the potential for fire blight infections may occur during the upcoming weekend.
Apple Scab Predictions through April 17th April 11, 2012: Apple scab infection periods and predicted infections through April 17th for the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center are attached.
New Report on Neonicotinoids and Bees April 6, 2012: A possible link between neonicotinoids and honey bee die-offs has led to controversy across the United States and Europe. Beekeepers and environmentalists have expressed growing concern about the impact of neonicotinoids, concern based on the fact that neonicotinoids are absorbed into plant tissue and can be present in pollen and nectar, making them toxic to pollinators.
Improved Assessment of Freeze Damage to Buds Using an Equilifruit Disk March 30, 2012: Flower mortality following Monday's low of 28 degrees F at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville was assessed with an Equilifruit disk designed for determining how much to thin apples following fruit set. Although flower mortality on the most advanced variety, was 49%, limbs still had 4 to 10 times as many live flowers as needed for a full crop.
Apple Scab Infections to Date March 29, 2012: Actual and predicted apple scab infections for Penn State FREC, based on the Campbell Scientific Weather Data System and the New Mills Apple Scab Disease Model, are now posted.
Fire Blight Risk March 29, 2012: Apple fruit bud development at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville is pre-pink to pink, with a few blossoms open on Pink Lady. Fire blight risk to date, based on the MaryBlyt Prediction Program and Campbell Scientific Weather Data Systems, are presented in the attached graph.
Critical Temperatures for Various Fruit Crops March 27, 2012: Tree fruit crops are in various stages of bloom and freezing temperatures are a concern. The temperature at which fruit buds are injured depends primarily on their stage of development.
Managing Apple Scab in High Inoculum Orchards March 26, 2012: In apple orchards where scab was poorly controlled last fall, growers will need to compensate this spring for what we might call the five curses of high-inoculum, which are outlined in this article.
A New Tool for Accurately Calibrating Your Air Blast Sprayer March 26, 2012: There are many reasons for calibrating your air blast sprayer, and Penn State Extension now has a new tool to assist growers in this important task. Chemicals should be applied at the proper rate to be effective and safe without causing pollution. The calibration test helps ensure accuracy of the application with selected nozzles, pressure, sprayer design, and travel speed.
Mature Apple Scab Ascospore Release Escalates March 23, 2012: The release of mature apple scab ascospores at Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville, PA approached 18,000 on March 22nd, just 72 hours after we first detected mature ascospores (Monday, March 19th).
Insect Pest Control in an Early Season March 23, 2012: You probably have heard it a thousand times already but the degree days base 43°F accumulation for March 23 in southern Pennsylvania is about 4 weeks ahead compared to previous years (or 3 weeks compared to the 2010 season). Since most of us do not have first hand experience with such an unusual season, what it will mean to our orchards remains to be seen.
Apple Disease Situation in this Year of an Early Onset of Bloom March 20, 2012: Primary infection periods for apple scab started two weeks early this year. Beginning with this report, the status of disease infections will be updated weekly at this Fruit Times website. To receive these reports as soon as they are posted, please click on " Subscribe to E-Mail Updates."
Keys to Planting Fruit Trees March 7, 2012: This winter has been mild enough that many of you have a good majority of your pruning completed. If you are in this position, you might want to consider turning to another rite of spring -- and that is planting trees.
High Tunnel Raspberry and Blackberry Publication Updated and Expanded March 7, 2012: Northeast growers can capture more of the lucrative local market for fresh berries by growing brambles (raspberries and blackberries) in high tunnels. And the place for them to start is with the updated and expanded edition of High Tunnel Raspberries and Blackberries.
Season-Long Strawberry Production Publication Available Online March 7, 2012: For those of you who are interested in producing day-neutral strawberries, there’s a guide out there for you – Season-Long Strawberry Production with Everbearers for Northeastern Producers. This 70-page guide covers information on production techniques, economics and pests in day-neutral production.
New PA Tree Fruit Production Guide and Posting of Winter Meeting Presentations March 7, 2012: The 2012-2013 Penn State Extension Tree Fruit Production Guide is now available at your local extension office or the Penn State Publications Distribution Center (814-865-6713; AgPubsDist@psu.edu). Presentations from the Penn State Extension Winter Educational Meetings for Fruit Growers are posted at http://agsci.psu.edu/frec/resources (scroll to the bottom of this resource page to find “Presentations.”)
Disease Management Strategies Following the Challenging 2011 Season March 7, 2012: This article provides a short review of the early-season fungus diseases of apples, a quick review of fungicide properties, a short discussion of how epidemics arise, some ideas about how to maintain fungicide efficacy and delay resistance, and finally, some disease management examples, including the integration some of the new SDHI fungicides into an effective program for 2012.
Special Workshop on Managing Apple Scab in the Age of Multiple Fungicide Resistance February 6, 2012: A special workshop on the apple scab situation in Pennsylvania will be held on March 6, 2012, 8:00 am to noon at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville, PA. The featured guest speaker is Dr. Dave Rosenberger, Tree Fruit Plant Pathologist at Cornell's Hudson Valley Lab.
Pennsylvania Farm Energy Audits Program—Cost-Share Funds Available February 6, 2012: The “Pennsylvania Farm Energy Audits Program,” is available to help agricultural producers identify the best methods to improve their farm’s energy efficiency. USDA will offset the cost by paying 75% of the energy audit, leaving only 25% of the cost to the farmer. The audits are carried out by Penn State agricultural energy specialists or specially trained private consultants, depending on the location of the farm and availability of personnel.
Investigating Value-Added Apple Product Consumption and Interest, Part I February 6, 2012: The Ag. Entrepreneurship Extension Team at Penn State (farmbusiness.psu.edu) investigates opportunities for stakeholders (e.g. growers, wholesalers, processors, retailers) and disseminates applicable information to these groups. A few of us in the team have been focusing on gathering data from consumers residing in Pennsylvania and surrounding states pertaining to their fruit and vegetable purchasing attitudes and behaviors, with particular emphasis on better understanding the fresh and processed apple purchaser. We have conducted a few studies since 2008 and would like to share that data and provide examples of marketing strategies that stakeholders could implement based on the research.

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2012

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