News

Considerations about weed control options in grass forages during early spring. Is now a good time to spray?

Due to the low levels of precipitation seen across region this spring, 7 Pennsylvania counties (Adams, Bedford, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Somerset, York) are eligible for USDA Natural Disaster assistance, as of April 23, 2026.

This is the week 4 newsletter for the spring 2026 Everybody Walk Across Pennsylvania Program - week of April 27, 2026. The program is an 8-week virtual biannual program.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases, especially Lyme disease, cause worry to people. Lyme Disease Awareness Month highlights learning about tick-borne disease transmission.

This week's contributors: Kelly Piccioni, Penn State Extension; Don deMackiewicz, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State Extension, Jim Fogarty, Halabura Tree Farms;

The apple and peach phenology reports track the development of fruiting buds throughout the bloom window across Pennsylvania.

Apple scab, rust, and Marssonina blotch infections could occur April 24 - 25. Growers should begin to be proactive to mitigate potential shoot blight caused by fire blight infections from April 14 - 18.

Spring is here, and farming operations are ramping up. If you are a soybean grower, this is also an appropriate time to take soil samples and have them tested for soybean cyst nematode. Testing is free for all soybean growers in Pennsylvania.

A significant freeze event is forecast across Pennsylvania Monday night into Tuesday morning, with temperatures expected to drop to 28°F at the FREC, 24°F at the New Paris, and 26°F at the Rock Springs Research Station.

Minimize stormwater runoff from lawns this spring.

Considerations about herbicides if corn or soybeans have been planted but no burndowns applied; or if your crops have emerged but still need residuals.

The Penn State Extension Water Resources team is recruiting private pond owners or managers to participate in a six-month pond monitoring study.

Major apple scab and fire blight infection events are forecasted for April 18–19. Growers must take precautions to protect their apple trees.

This is the week 3 newsletter for the spring 2026 Everybody Walk Across Pennsylvania program - week of April 20, 2026. The program is an 8-week, biannual virtual program.

Penn State Faculty and Students discuss the future at the Penn State Biorenewables Symposium.

This week's contributors: Kelly Piccioni, Penn State Extension; Don deMackiewicz, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State Extension, Jim Fogarty, Halabura Tree Farms;

The spring orchard meetings for 2026 are open for pre-registration. This is a handy schedule to plan your event selection.

Storms late Tuesday triggered fire blight infection. Conditions continue to be favorable today. This includes at least Adams County and the counties east. Control is a must today.

The southeastern section of Pennsylvania, most intensively used for agriculture, has received less precipitation than normal.

The apple and peach phenology reports track the development of fruiting buds throughout the bloom window across Pennsylvania.

Has your pesticide license lapsed or expired and what is the difference? The following are simplified instructions for reinstating your lapsed or expired pesticide license.

Bloom is expected to occur quickly this week. Fire blight risk is high for April 14–18 in blooming orchards. If rain occurs during this time, fire blight will develop. Protect open blossoms this week as a precaution.

This is the week 2 newsletter for the spring 2026 Everybody Walk Across Pennsylvania Program - week of April 13, 2026. The program is an 8-week virtual biannual program.

A newly revamped lineup of trainings designed to better support today's conservation professionals.

Weekly scouting report compiled by Kelly Piccioni, Penn State Extension, Schuylkill County. This week's scouting data contributors: Kelly Piccioni, Penn State Extension; Don deMackiewicz, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State Extension