Latest News
This material describes some of the features and challenges of the many marketing outlets available to farmers on the east coast.
On Saturday April 9th approximately 90 early care and education practitioners had the opportunity to attend 2 of seven sessions offered that day.
The natural gas industry has created many opportunities and challenges not only on a local level, but has also received both statewide and national attention. As we struggle to understand the complexity and enormity of the many issues related to the industry, the best way for every citizen to make informed decisions is through education of the facts.
The days are getting longer and signs of spring are everywhere you look. Here’s your spring wildlife calendar with information on what’s happening in the World of Wildlife.
The Pennsylvania Migration Count (PAMC) is an annual one-day snapshot of bird populations within our state. Which species are present, and where are they? How many are there? Do migratory patterns change from year to year?
Do you know which herbicides were used to manage weeds in forages before they were incorporated into a compost pile? If not, you may be in for a disappointing growing season.
On Saturday, April 16, 58 aspiring and beginning farmers from Virginia, Maryland, and across Pennsylvania flocked to “Breaking the Barriers”, a full-day Pennsylvania Farm Link and Penn State Extension co-hosted event at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown.
A new manual will help Pennsylvania growers identify, monitor, and control insect and disease pests affecting Christmas trees using integrated pest management (IPM).
There are always plenty of different kinds of insect pests that will attack field crops in any growing season. Some are seen every year, some seem to come in cycles and every so often a new pest finds its way into our area that we have not been familiar with before.
The success of the National Drug Take Back Program is dependent on your participation Saturday, April 30, 2011.
Two senior 4-H members were delegates at National 4-H Congress.
Sweet corn growers are reminded to check the sensitivity of their sweet corn varieties before using Accent, Callisto, Laudis, or Impact herbicides.
Fire blight and apple scab models for locations throughout Pennsylvania are available at PA-PIPE. It is important to collect site-specific weather data in your orchards, but these models serve as a guide.
Got a question about growing small fruit? Chances are that someone else has the same question, but isn't asking! Send your question to Kathy Demchak, at 102 Tyson Bldg., University Park, PA 16802, or via email to kdemchak@psu.edu. You will be credited with the question, or can remain anonymous, as you wish. Today's question is about cyclamen mites on strawberries.
Pennsylvania tree fruit growers have embraced the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) since the late 1960s and early 1970s. By one definition, IPM is the “utilization of all suitable techniques and methods in as compatible manner as possible and maintains the pest populations at levels below those causing economic injury.” The goal of IPM is to minimize the number and severity of perturbations in the agro-ecosystem while reducing the economic, environmental, and human health costs associated with the particular management option(s). Pennsylvania was one of the first states in the country to adopt the principles and practices of IPM in orchards by integrating the use of the black lady beetle Stethorus punctum – commonly referred to by most growers as the “black beetle” for the biological control of spider mites (e.g., European red mite and two-spotted spider mite). This program over the last 40 years was responsible for significantly reducing the number and amount of miticides used by fruit growers and reducing the severity of miticide resistance. More recently (2004 to present), the predatory mite, Typhlodromus pyri, has replaced Stethorus in many grower orchards as the principle biological control agent for spider mites in Pennsylvania.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was not found in samples taken from hunter-killed deer during the state's 2010 hunting season, according to Dr. Walt Cottrell, Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife veterinarian. "We are pleased to report that Pennsylvania continues to have no confirmed or suspected cases of CWD in wild deer or elk," Cottrell said. "By conducting these tests from a random sample of hunter-killed deer and on all hunter-killed elk, we continue our efforts to find the disease in wild deer and elk in the state."
Sandea (halsulfuron-methyl, Gowan) has been approved for use on blueberries in Pennsylvania. Sandea has both preemergent and postemergent activity on certain weeds that can become problematic in blueberry plantings. Labeled rates are really low (1/2 to 1 oz/acre), so make sure that your application rate is correct. Be sure to follow precautions and directions on the label, and avoid contact with any green tissue.
There are always plenty of different kinds of insect pests that will attack field crops in any growing season. Some are seen every year, some seem to come in cycles and every so often a new pest finds its way into our area that we have not been familiar with before.
The pure white flared trumpets of Easter lily flowers are a time-honored symbol of the hope, purity and innocence embodied in the Easter tradition.
