The Dreaded SWD Now Causing Extensive Fruit Damage in Missouri

Why do I keep blogging about this "bug" you ask?  If you have it on your farm, you know why.  If you don't have it on your farm, you're lucky.  I visited with a peach/cherry producer at a farmers' market last weekend.  The couple both work on the farm and have been farming all their lives.  They told me that the economic loss from the SWD has been devastating this year.  They also said that if next year is the same as this year, they'll get out of farming.  Needless to say that caught my attention.  So any chance I get, I will post about this invasive insect.  Here is a picture from the peach/cherry producers that they took of a female SWD positing eggs into a peach.

What is Spotted Wing Drosophila?
Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is a small vinegar fly (about 0.1 inches in length) that for the last two years has been causing economic damage to berries, grapes, and softer-fleshed fruit such as peach in several areas of the US including the Midwest. It is native to Japan, so this insect is invasive to the US. SWD was detected in Missouri in late June through a monitoring system that was deployed by the LU Integrated Pest Management Program.

Why Should I be concerned about SWD? Is it that bad?
SWD very quickly became a devastating pest of berry crops in Missouri. Adults were first detected in monitoring traps in late June, 2013. By early August, infestations to blackberry fruits had already been reported. By mid August, SWD was reported infesting crops state-wide. In addition to small fruit crops, this invasive insect pest also attacks some stone fruits (cherry, nectarine, peach), high tunnel tomatoes, and wild hosts (including pokeweed, autumn olive, crabapple, nightshade, Amur honeysuckle, and wild grape). Raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, elderberries and grapes are at the greatest risk. Picture 1 shows larvae leaving out blackberry fruits.

 

How can I monitor for this pest?

It is very important that you learn how to monitor for this invasive pest. To determine whether SWD is present, the most effective and economical trap can be prepared using a clear plastic deli-type cup baited with a mixture of water (6 oz), dry active yeast (1/2 tablespoon), and sugar (as shown in Picture 2). Note the small holes that are made on the sides of the trap which allow flies to enter. A small yellow sticky card can be placed inside the cup so that flies that are attracted by the bait and enter the trap are retained by the card. This allows for easier fly identification.

 

How do I know whether flies trapped or active on fruits are SWD?
SWD flies look similar to the small vinegar flies that are typically found around or on fermenting fruits and vegetables. SWD males have one black dot on each wing and females do not have dots in their wings; they have a serrated egg-laying device called an ovipositor, to cut a slit into the skin of intact fruit to lay their eggs (Picture 3). This makes SWD a more significant pest.

 

How can I manage SWD in my farm or yard?

Below are some IPM options that can help reduce larval infestations by SWD: (i) Exclusion: For small plantings, one option is using a fine mesh screen with openings less than 0.98 millimeter (0.039 inches) wide (18 mesh or finer). Keep in mind that mesh screens will exclude pollinating insects, so it is best to cover your plants once fruit is set. Other SWD management options include (ii) Canopy Management: Thin the plant row to 3-4 strong canes per square foot, eliminating weaker shoots and opening the canopy.  Consider a trellising system that similarly opens the canopy. This may make plantings less attractive to SWD and will improve spray coverage and (iii) Sanitation: Removing over-ripe fruit from production areas as soon as possible can minimize SWD egg lay and larval development. Growers in other regions of the country have sent pickers through fields with one container to collect good fruit and another container to collect over-ripe fruit, again, to minimize egg-laying and larval development sites.

This article does not discuss insecticide options. A Fact Sheet on IPM options for SWD including effective organic and conventional insecticides is being developed by the LU IPM Program.

(by Dr. Jaime Pinero, LU IPM Specialist)

 

Intensive Grazing on Pastures

Management-intensive grazing, intensive grazing, short-duration grazing, and holistic-management grazing are all variations on the same theme. They all make use of short paddock grazing periods, high stocking densities, and planned pasture-recovery periods designed to optimize forage quality, diversity, and longevity. Combined, these three components enable ranchers to improve forage production and harvest, thereby maximizing net profit. All intensive grazing schemes are defined by:

•     Paddock grazing periods of one to four days
•     Stocking densities of 50,000 to 500,000 pounds per acre
•     Pasture-recovery periods of 20 to 35 days

Advantages of Intensive Grazing Over Continuous Grazing or Haying

•     Double your stocking rate, compared to continuous grazing.
•     Harvested forage dry matter costs several to 10 times less than haying ($4.85 to $6.50/ton vs. $50/ton).
•     Produce and harvest stockpiled forage for $60/ton vs. $100/ton.
•     Control parasites without wormers by maintaining a 5-inch stubble.
•     Increase your control of pasture species, resulting in greater legume populations, more diverse stands, and less fertility inputs.
•     It is easier to predict forage inventory at any given time during the grazing season.
•     Provide stockpiled least-cost forage for winter.
•     Grass uses 25% less water than alfalfa over the crop season.

Considerations

•     Requires slightly more planning and management than other grazing systems or haying.
•     Increases labor. You are harvesting your crop (i.e., moving livestock) every day or two instead of every week or two.
•     Uses more temporary fencing than continuous or conventional rotational grazing.
•     Requires more fertility (mostly nitrogen) than conventional grazing systems because of higher forage production.

Will It Work for Me?

•     Am I willing to devote a little more time each day to management? Use of ATTRA's new Grazing Calculator will greatly simplify pasture and irrigation management.
•     Am I willing to allocate labor to move stock every one to four days?
•     Always maintain a grass gradient. Look ahead. Use the Grazing Calculator to estmate how many pounds of dry matter per acre your grass produced over the last week? How many pounds per acre are currently in the paddock where the stock will be one week from today? At the present growth rate, will there be enough forage to meet the grazing unit's daily dry matter intake?
•     Plan ahead to integrate irrigation with grazing. Know the available water-holding capacity of your soils; apply that moisture in a timely manner, using evapo-transpiration rates as a guide. Dust off your Paul Brown soil moisture probe and use it!

Bottom Line

In the long run, intensive grazing will decrease forage harvesting costs by a factor of several to 10 times. It diverts investment capital from high-cost forage-harvesting equipment to livestock. Over time, livestock reproduce and appreciate in value. Haying machinery will only break down.  The cost is your management time and labor. Are you allocating your time to its best advantage?

(Adapted from ATTRA's new publication, Why Intensive Grazing on Irrigated Pastures? by Dave Scott, NCAT Livestock Specialist)

Thermal Banking Greenhouses

Farmers who can extend their growing season have a distinct advantage in the marketplace: By offering a product outside the “normal” growing season, they can often receive a higher price. That’s what Steven Schwen (Earthen Path Organic Farm) has done with his greenhouse, starting earlier in the year with seedlings of warm-season vegetables, and continuing production into the fall and even the winter months when he grows cold-tolerant crops. Part of what makes Schwen’s operation so unique is the added innovation of thermal banking, which significantly reduces the energy costs of running a greenhouse for cold-season production.

 

Read more, see a diagram and view a video of this type of greenhouse here.

 

 

 

Pumpkin Field Day

A Pumpkin Field Day is scheduled for September 6^th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at McVeigh's Pumpkin Patch, 956 E. County Rd – 1800, Hamilton, IL (just across the Mississippi River from Hannibal).  Rick McVeigh has been raising pumpkins for over 25 years and has over 50 different varieties this year.

Join pumpkin growers for this field day to view and discuss pumpkin and gourd varieties.  Find out which pumpkin varieties will do well at your own farm and market.  Variety trials can be of help by allowing one to compare many different varieties grown under similar conditions.  This way, a grower can decide which one may work for your particular market. 

Join us for a field day in Hancock County, Illinois to learn about pumpkin variety selection, pumpkin disease and insect identification/control and fertility issues. This will also be an opportunity to meet with industry representatives.

Speakers: 

·       Dr. Mohammad Babadoost, Extension Specialist, Plant Pathology, Univ. of IL Dept. of Crop Sciences

·       Dr. Richard Weinzierl, Extension Specialist, Entomology, Univ. of IL Dept. of Crop Sciences

·       Dr. Patrick O'Malley, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Commercial Horticulture Specialist

This field day is co-sponsored by the U of I Extension with Iowa State University Extension, Louisa, Lee, Henry & Des Moines counties.

The event is free but registration is required because a lunch is being served.  To register, click here.

 

Bacterial Canker Video

Here is a great short video on bacterial canker on tomatoes by Tim Baker, MU Horticulture Specialist.  He explains how it is transmitted and what to do to try to control the spread from one year to the next.

Bacterial Canker Video

 

Get Your Ideas Ready - SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant Coming Soon

The North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Farmer/Rancher Grant call for proposals will be coming out soon.  There will be 6 opportunities, 1 webinar and 5 workshops, for you to learn about this grant and to gain more insight into how to write a successful proposal.  I hope to see you at one of these.

September 9 – Webinar – 7-8:30 pm
Log onto univmissouri.adobeconnect.com/debikelly and sign in as a guest with your name

September 12 – Lincoln University’s Carver Farm, Jefferson City – 4-9 pm

Contact to register – BohnertC@LincolnU.edu

September 17 – Warren County Extension Center, Warrenton – 10 am to 3 pm

Contact to register – Janet Hurst, 660-216-1749

September 19 – Ray County Senior Center, Richmond – 7-9 pm

Contact to register – Susan Jaster, 816-589-4725

October 2 – Sikeston – 4-9 pm

Contact to register – Catherine Bohnert, 573-681-5174

October 25 – Southwest Research Center, Mt. Vernon – 4-9 pm

Contact to register Shon Bishop, (417) 846-3948

The webinar is free.  Registration for the workshops is $5 that can be paid at the door.  Please call ahead of time so there is sufficient lunch and/or snacks available.

When the call for proposals is released, information will be passed along.  This year will be the first year that proposals can be submitted online.  SARE will accept hard copies if you don’t have access to a computer or the internet.  The deadline for submission is November 14^th.

For additional information you can contact Debi Kelly or KB Paul.
 

IPM of SWD in High Tunnels with Raspberries

The Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) has very quickly become a devastating pest of berry crops in Missouri. Adults were first detected in monitoring traps in late June, 2013. By early August, infestations to blackberry fruits had already been reported. By mid August, SWD was reported infesting crops state-wide. In addition to small fruit crops, this invasive insect pest also attacks some stone fruits (cherry, nectarine, peach), high tunnel tomatoes, and wild hosts (including pokeweed, autumn olive, crabapple, nightshade, Amur honeysuckle, and wild grape). Raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, elderberries and grapes are at the greatest risk.

 

This article discusses IPM options to minimize larval infestations by SWD to high tunnel raspberries in the fall. Options include monitoring, sanitation, exclusion, and timely application of insecticide sprays.  It is  very important that farmers also learn how to identify and monitor for SWD and how to detect larval infestations.  An identification and monitoring guide is available here. Successful SWD control in 2014 will require planning and implementation of an IPM program.

To read this full guide sheet click here.

Introduction to Small Fruit Production Workshop

A workshop on Introduction to Small Fruit Production will be held at Litton Center – Smithville Lake, 16311 DD Highway N, Smithville, MO 64089 this coming Saturday, August 24^th from 9 am to 2 pm.

Looking for a way to complement your market offerings throughout the season? Small fruit is one of the best ways to diversify and increase profitability for market producers. This workshop is designed to cover basic principles of production for a variety of small fruit including: Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries, and Grapes. Hear from producers and Extension educators about these crops to see if you want to add one or all to your production system.

Agenda

9:00-9:15 - Welcome/Introduction

 

9:15-10:00 - Table Grape Production – Marlin Bates, Horticulture Specialist, University of Missouri Extension

 

10:00-10:45 - Strawberry Production – Jerry Wohletz, Wohletz Farm Fresh, Lawrence, KS (U-Pick/FM)

10:45-11:00 – Break

11:00-11:45 - Bramble Production – Renee Seba, Mule Barn Berries, Lathrop, MO (Wholesale/FM)

 

11:45-12:00 - Introduction to Duncan’s Berry Farm – Dan Hoerz

 

12:00-12:50 - Lunch – Farm-Assist Catering, Local. Seasonal. Sustainable. Smithville, MO

 

1:00-2:00 - Farm Tour at Duncan’s Berry Farm, Smithville, MO

 

This workshop is being brought to you by University of Missouri Extension, a partner of the Growing Growers program. Cost to attend this workshop is $30 which includes lunch. To register, contact Marlin Bates at 816-270-2141.

 

Rural Microenterprise Funds Available

The United States Department of Agriculture announced the availability of funds totaling approximately $12.2 million for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP).

RMAP provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs), which in turn provide technical services and distribute microloans to rural microentrepreneurs to support their development. For examples of current microenterprise development organizations and current microloan program recipients, see here.

Applications must be received by the USDA Rural Development State Offices by the deadline of September 13, 2013. Locations of the Rural Development State Offices are included in link above to the announcement. Application materials for grants may be submitted in through grants.gov.

The current round of funding through RMAP allows MDOs to borrow $50,000 at minimum and $500,000 at maximum.  Technical assistance-only grants are capped at $30,000 per grantee.

 

 

29th Annual North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Conference

The 29th Annual North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Convention is coming to Kansas City January 31st through February 5th.  This is a national conference for farmers who do any kind of direct marketing and agritourism.  I have gone to two of these conferences years ago and learned so much.  And now to have it in Missouri's backyard is fabulous.

There will be pre-conference bus tours, the conference itself with breakout sessions, a HUGE trade show with just about any kind of item you could possibly imagine and a post-conference bus tour.

For a first look at what this convention will bring click here.

If you can't make it for one of the tours at least try to make it to at least one of the conference days.  You won't regret it.

I'll be posting more about this as the time nears, that's for sure!

Women in Boots & Blue Jeans

The Women in Boots & Blue Jeans is an agriculture risk management conference that will be held in 4 locations on August 21st.

This is the 5th year for a Women in Boots & Blue Jeans Ag Risk Management Conference.  This year there will be several new speakers from various backgrounds with expertise in their area.  Topics were chosen based on educational interests of farm women and landowners.  The program has ben designed to cover topics that will be helpful to make informed decisions and manage farm risk.

Topics include:
* Avoid the Boiling Point (communications and family)
* Measuring for Successful Marketing (outlook and strategies)
* Roll Out a Marketing Plan (marketing plans)
* Mixing Work and Play (farm and family experiences)
* Weigh Ingredients - Stash the Cookie Cutters (estate and succession planning)
* Insuring Success with the Right Ingredients (protecting crops and livestock)

Carrollton - at Carrollton Public Library
Kirksville - at Economic Development Alliance Center
Mexico - at Advanced Technology Center
St. Joseph - at Buchanan County Extension Center

Cost is $35 which includes materials and lunch.  To register call:

Carrollton - 660-542-1792
Kirksville - 660-438-2671
Mexico - 573-581-3231
St. Joseph - 816-279-1691

For a full brochure click here.

Webinar - Budding & Grafting Fruit Varities for Organic Production

Webinar Title: "Budding and Grafting Fruit Varieties for Organic Production"

Date:  August 29, 2013

Presenter: NCAT Horticulture Specialist Guy Ames

Time: 11 a.m. Central Daylight Time

To Register: Go online at https://attra.ncat.org/grafting_fruit

This webinar will first focus on the need for developing regionally- and locally-adapted fruit crops and how filling that need could:

·       Benefit organic fruit growers

·       Provide a decent on-farm income for detail-oriented farmers/nurserymen.

The remainder of the webinar will feature a discussion of fruit-plant propagation—including grafting, budding, cuttings, and other forms of asexual propagation. There will be plenty of times for participants to email in questions, and Guy will any questions that aren't answered during the webinar in the days following.

 

The 14th Central Missouri Vegetable & Greenhouse Tour

The 14^th Central Missouri Vegetable & Greenhouse Tour will be held Wednesday, August 28th  Rain or Shine”.

Consistent with previous years, we will meet at the Central Missouri Produce Auction and visit nearby growers and then go to Lincoln University’s Carver Research Farm (Jefferson City).  This event is free and open to all.

Schedule (you are welcome to arrive up until just before noon)

10:00 am - Arrive and visit ‘on your own’ the auction. Auction starts at 10.

11 until 11:45 - Free lunch (if preregistered - roast beef, greens beans, mashed potato, & bread)

11:45 to Noon - Gather at field stop (adjacent to west side of auction, walking distance but occasionally rough and variable footing/ not handicap accessible)

Noon to 1:00 pm - Nolt’s field visit, announcements & discussion

1:00 to 1:30 pm - Walk back to cars and drive to 2^nd stop

1:30 to 2:15 p - Bonnie Plants #61- focus on spring plant marketing and distribution

2:15 to 2:45 pm - Drive to Lincoln Carver Farm (east of Jefferson City)

2:45 to 4:00 pm - ‘Grower select’ tour of Lincoln Carver Farm

4:00 to 7:00 pm - 1st Vegetable and Integrated Pest Management Festival begins

Details on tour stops:

·       The Nolt’s (Ron, Denise and son Donnie) have 3 stores which most of their more than 20 acres of vegetables are used to supply. They buy as needed from the auction to round out their needs, as well as sell surpluses. They grow a variety of vegetables, including sweet corn, melons, tomatoes, and a number of others. They also produce fall mums. Of special focus today will be their fall cauliflower, which impresses everyone, year in, year out.

·       This is one of the two Missouri greenhouse operations that are grow for Bonnie Plants. Come hear the story on why the Kruger’s (Derv and his son BJ) made this business move around 2008 and what have been some of the benefits and challenges. Bonnie Plants is the largest vegetable transplant supplier in the US selling into all lower continental states and producing in over 40 states.

·       Carver Farm is Lincoln University’s premier research farm. Available that day will be tomato tasting and informational stops on high tunnels, IPM, variety trials, and much more.

 

To register, call 573-378-5358 or e-mail. Just let us know you are coming and how many will be in your party.

Directions to Central Missouri Produce Auction:

Located on Highway E, 12 miles south of US 50 or 10 miles north of Versailles.

Central Missouri Produce Auction

37808 Highway E Fortuna MO 65034
Auction Facility - 660-337-6227 (Auction days only)

Sponsored by:

Morgan County Ext. Center

Missouri Department of Ag

Lincoln University (sponsor of lunch)

Missouri Vegetable Growers Association

Central Missouri Produce Auction

Morgan County Seeds

University of Missouri Extension (MU Extension)

 

Lincoln University Vegetable and IPM Festival

Lincoln University Cooperative Extension invites you to the 1^st Vegetable and Integrated Pest Management Festival on August 28^th from 4-7 pm at Lincoln University’s Carver Farm, 3804 Bald Hill Road, Jefferson City, MO, 65101

Demonstrations & Presentations

·       High Tunnel Tomato Production

·       Research Update on Trap Cropping

·       Cover Crops for Vegetables

·       Elderberry as an Edible Native Plant

·       Native Plants for Native Pollinators

·       Weed and Insect Pest Management in Jack-o'-lantern Pumpkin Production

·       Field Sweet / Chile Pepper Production

·       Integrated Disease Management of Watermelon

·       Monitoring and Management of Invasive Insects including Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) and Japanese Beetles – free bait and traps.

SWD is a very serious new invasive pest that attacks small fruit crops, some stone fruits (cherry, nectarine, peach), high tunnel tomatoes, and wild hosts (including pokeweed, autumn olive, crabapple, nightshade, Amur honeysuckle, and wild grape).  Raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and grapes are at the greatest risk. Learn how to identify, monitor, and manage this injurious pest.

Pepper and Tomato Tasting!

This is a free event but registration is required.  Pre-register by Friday, August 23 by calling (573) 681-5312 or email.  Please let us know if you need special accommodations.

 

Introduction to Small Fruit Production Workshop

The Growing Growers Farmer Training Program announces its annual workshop on small fruit production "Introduction to Small Fruit Production" to be held at Litton Center - Smithville Lake,

16311 DD Highway N, Smithville, MO 64089 on Saturday, August 24th from 9 am - 2 pm.

Looking for a way to complement your market offerings throughout the season? Small fruit is one of the best ways to diversify and increase profitability for market producers. This workshop is designed to cover basic principles of production for a variety of small fruit including: Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries, and Grapes. Hear from producers and Extension educators about these crops to see if you want to add them to your farming enterprise.

 9:00-9:15 - Welcome/Introduction

9:15-10:00 -  Table Grape Production - Marlin Bates, Horticulture Specialist, University of Missouri Extension

10:00-10:45 - Strawberry Production - Jerry Wohletz, Wohletz Farm Fresh, Lawrence, KS (U-Pick/FM)

10:45-11:00 - Break

11:00-11:45 - Bramble Production - Renee Seba, Mule Barn Berries, Lathrop, MO (Wholesale/FM)

11:45-12:00 - Introduction to Duncan's Berry Farm - Dan Hoerz

12:00-12:50 - Lunch - Farm-Assist Catering, Local. Seasonal. Sustainable. Smithville, MO

1:00-2:00 - Farm Tour at Duncan's Berry Farm, Smithville, MO

This workshop is being brought to you by University of Missouri Extension, a partner of the Growing Growers program. Cost to attend this workshop is $30 and includes lunch.

To register, complete and mail the registration form available here.  Registration deadline is August 19, 2013.

If you have questions, or for further information, contact Marlin Bates at 816-270-2141.