Latest News
Boxwood blight was recently detected in a landscape in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Boxwood blight was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2011 in Lancaster County.
The first treatment to control codling moth is needed early during the week of May 27th (around 250 DD50, 5 percent CM egg hatch on May 27th). If hand applied mating disruption materials (Isomate® or CheckMate® products) are planned for the control of CM, Oriental Fruit Moth (OFM), dogwood borer, peach tree borer and lesser peach tree borer, the dispensers should be already placed in the orchards. First generation Oriental fruit moth flight is winding down across the state. Plum curculio (PC) adults will need to be controlled for at least another week. Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is continuing its movement away from overwintering shelters and feeding on multiple species of plants, most likely not inside orchards. All pheromone traps for monitoring fruit insect pests should already be placed in orchards.
Weather conditions are optimal for bacterial spot on stone fruit. Fire blight infection conditions forecasted through May 26. Bacterial spot and cherry leaf spot infection periods are also now posted.
Cumberland County 4-H is preparing for its 4-H Activity Days, scheduled for July 12 and August 2. The Activity Days will be held in Carlisle and Newville area, concentrating on project exploration. Activity Day I will offer youth the opportunity to complete a project in all of the following tracts: iris paper folding, strawberry jam making, and electricity projects. Activity Day II will offer activities in painting, fun with Frisbees, and woodworking. Participants must be between 8-12 years old and register prior to June 28 for Activity Day I and July 19 for Activity Day II.
Cumberland County 4-H is gearing up for its annual 4-H Ag Science Day Camp, scheduled for June 25 and 26. The camp is held at local working farms and offers children hands-on activities to discover cows, crops, and more. The camp starts at Strock’s Farm in Mechanicsburg where campers harvest and thresh wheat, make ice cream, test soil, and discover seeds. The second day begins at Monroe Elementary School in Boiling Springs, where campers make loaves of bread, explore honeybees, and turn berries into jam. Campers also visit Brymesser’s Dairy Farm to learn about cows and milk products, make butter, and watch a modern milking operation.
A recently completed study of water supplies on Pennsylvania dairy farms found that about a quarter of those tested had at least one water-quality issue. And average milk production for these farms was about 10 percent lower than farms with good water quality.
On the last day of class, pride and happiness filled the room as Penn State Extension Nutrition Links Advisor, Luz Stella Valencia and LaSalle University Nutrition Program student, Cheyenne Phelps handed out the graduation certificates and congratulated participants on their success. Not only did these ladies earn their certificate, but they have also earned a new healthy lifestyle for themselves and their families.
The Penn State Extension online course Beekeeping 101 was honored with a 2013 Webby Award for Internet excellence. The course was created by Penn State Public Media in collaboration with Tom Butzler, Clinton County Penn State Extension horticulture educator, and Maryann Frazier, senior extension associate in entomology.
Poultry is one of the largest sectors of the Adams County Ag Community. While 76% of the county’s agricultural, lands are in crops, 68% of farm income comes from livestock and poultry production (2007 USDA Census). In 2007, $84.4 Million dollars of poultry and egg products were sold from the county as compared to the $45.3 Million from tree nuts, fruit, & berry production. With the close proximity to eastern markets and the good balance of animal production and croplands, poultry & egg production works out well in the county.
A demonstration plot was planted to compare various starter fertilizers on the market.
A field day was held earlier this spring to discuss cover crop mixtures for Western Pennsylvania.
The 2013 Horse Camp Counselors are getting ready for the Multi County 4-H Horse Camp.
The counselors for the 2013 Multi-County 4-H Horse Camp are getting ready.
Despite anticipated thundershowers with an advancing cold front later this week, most sections are likely to have an increase in their rainfall deficit by this time next week.
Here is an update to last week’s freeze damage article on barley and wheat.
Significant flights continue for the black cutworm moth, and attention should be given to the cereal leaf beetle. Meanwhile, alfalfa weevil is beginning to pupate in Southeast PA.
Not sure which adjuvant to use? Reading the herbicide label may provide some clues.
Below are tables on four sites for the Cornell Carbohydrate model for apple thinning. Please note that values for May 21 and beyond are estimated forecasts.
