Plums
Plums are a minor crop in WNY with many varieties to choose from. Plums are classified as European "blue plums" used for canning, drying, and fresh consumption; Japanese plums are mainly for fresh consumption. Plum trees are are not self-fruitful and need a compatible variety for pollination. They are typically grafted to a Myrobalan rootstock. Plum varieties have different degrees of tolerance to bacterial spot, and bacterial canker disease. Propogating and planting plum trees is regulated under provisions set by NY Ag & Markets depending on proximity to recent detections of plum pox virus. Check the website for an updated map for where planting and propagation is regulated. For more information, go to Cornell Tree Fruit.
Relevant Event
DEC Registered Pesticides for New York
Last Modified: January 30, 2017
This the the link to access the the NYDEC pesticide registrations. Access labels here.
Bureau of Pest Management - Information Portal - http://www.dec.ny.gov/nyspad/products?13Did You Experience Drought Issues on Your Farm?
Last Modified: January 23, 2017
Did You Experience Drought Issues on Your Farm?
Please Help Us Collect Regional Information So We Can Help You Be Better Prepared in the Future
As you know, the summer of 2016 was a period of lower than average rainfall combined with higher than average temperatures that led to a drought of moderate to unprecedented severity in New York and much of the Northeast
A 2016 NY drought survey is being conducted and we need your input.
Please click on details for more information.
What Herbicides control which weeds ?
Deborah Breth, Integrated Pest Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Last Modified: March 29, 2016
This guide is used to identify the most effective herbicides to target specific weeds in tree fruit. First identify the weed, or weeds, then find those weeds across the top of the spreadsheet. For each weed, make a list of herbicides that are effective on the label. Then you will need to double check the label to determine 1) if the tree fruit crop is labeled, 2) if the tree age is appropriate for use,3) what rate is needed for specific weeds and any soil limitations that might impact those rates. You can go to the Bureau of Pest Management - Information Portal to find the labels to determine specific application requirements including the rates, timing, any adjuvants necessary, and any precautions to ensure crop safety.
Revisions in EPA WPS comment period open until Dec. 23, 2015
Deborah Breth, Integrated Pest Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Last Modified: November 13, 2015
EPA is finalizing changes to the WPS. The WPS is a regulation primarily intended to reduce the risks of injury or illness resulting from agricultural workers' and handlers' use and contact with pesticides on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses. The rule primarily seeks to protect workers (those who perform hand-labor tasks in pesticide-treated crops, such as harvesting, thinning, pruning) and handlers (those who mix, load and apply pesticides). The rule does not cover persons working with livestock. The existing regulation has provisions requiring employers to provide workers and handlers with pesticide safety training, posting and notification of treated areas, and information on entry restrictions, as well as PPE for workers who enter treated areas after pesticide application to perform crop-related tasks and handlers who mix, load, and apply pesticides. The full content if you want to review and comment can be found at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0184-2510.
A summary chart of major cahnges between the new revisions and the current standard can be found here.
http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/comparison-chart-wps.pdf
New fungicides labeled for use in tree fruit - all Special Local Needs Labels
Deborah Breth, Integrated Pest Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Last Modified: April 9, 2014
The new class of fungicides, SDHI's, are now registered for use in tree fruit. Fontelis was registered last season, and Luna Tranquility and Merivon were registered this spring. They are all registered in NY as "Restricted Use" fungicides. Due to the special restrictions for use in NY, they also are Special Local Need registrations. In order to apply these materials you must have a copy of the label and the SLN label in your possession. You can access these SLN and label to study or print at these links.
Plum Pox Virus Update
Deborah Breth, Integrated Pest Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Last Modified: March 25, 2014
Department of Agriculture and Markets has released an update on the status of Plum Pox Virus (PPV) in Niagara, Orleans, and Wayne Counties.
Produce Handling for Direct Marketing
Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Last Modified: January 13, 2014
NRAES-51, Successful direct marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables depends on providing quality items in a clean and customer-friendly environment. This publication is valuable for growers who sell seasonal produce at local farmers' markets or roadside markets. It describes postharvest physiology, food safety, produce handling from harvest to storage, refrigerated storage, produce displays, and specific handling and display recommendations for over forty types of fruits and vegetables. Eleven tables and eight figures are included. (1992)
Successful direct marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables depends on providing quality items in a clean and customer-friendly environment. Produce Handling for Direct Marketing, NRAES-51, is an invaluable guide for the grower who sells seasonal produce at local farmers' markets or roadside markets.
The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks
Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Last Modified: January 13, 2014
The information contained in this preliminary version of HB-66 has been assembled from information prepared by nearly 100 authors from around the world. The version posted here is a revised copy of a Draft made available online in November 2002 for author and public review and comment.
Animals in Fruit Crops
Last Modified: January 8, 2014
Orchards and other fruit crops are great habitat for many animals for food, and shelter. Deer, voles, rabbits, wild turkeys, and beavers, have caused damage to trees, bushes and fruit resulting in serious economic losses. Animals also pose a challenge for growers who participate in Food Safety audits to prevent contamination of fruit at harvest time. Growers must take steps to manage animals in fruit crops. P. D. Curtis prepares and updates the Wildlife Damage Management Chapter in the Cornell Pest Management Guidelines for tree Fruit and also for Berries.
Brief Overview of Labor Regulations & Recordkeeping for Farm Businesses
Matthew Wells, Production Economics & Business Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Last Modified: July 31, 2013
This document provides a brief overview of state & federal labor regulations that apply to many fruit farms in N.Y.S., as well as examples of record keeping forms that assist growers in meeting these regulations.
Apples
Apricots
Asian Pears
Blueberries
Cherries
Currants
Gooseberries
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Raspberries / Blackberries
Strawberries
Unusual Fruit
Upcoming Events
Supervising Farm Employees: Farm Labor Management Master Class in Western NY
March 16 - March 17, 2020
Albion, NY
2-day, hands-on workshop to explore best practices in supervising farm employees at CCE Orleans County in Albion, NY
DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training
March 18, 2020 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 1
Albion, NY
This training is only for those with experience and does not qualify for the 30-hour official DEC training - you are exempt from the 30 hour training (and eligible for this coaching session) if you have pesticide application experience, either through working on your own farm or through employment on another farm.
March 20, 2020 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 2 - included in Day 1 registration
Albion, NY
This training is only for those with experience and does not qualify for the 30-hour official DEC training - you are exempt from the 30 hour training (and eligible for this coaching session) if you have pesticide application experience, either through working on your own farm or through employment on another farm.
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course - Newark
March 19, 2020
Newark, NY
Who Should Attend Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.'8am registration/refreshments, program begins promptly at 8:30am, lunch is provided, meeting adjourns at 5:30pm. Note the reduced registration thanks to grant funds from the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets and the Niagara County Farm to School Program!