After the long cold winter, will there be many insects this year? With the cold and snow cover, grubs tend to go deeper in the soil. The presence of leafhoppers will be determined from the weather down South, since leafhoppers are brought northward by the various air currents. The cereal leaf beetle will not be seen as often.
A brief discussion was held regarding GMO’s with regard to an upcoming GMO
conference. Something genetically modified has a gene inserted into the plant. Is that
harmful?
Various government agencies (EPA, FDA, USDA) have certain responsibilities regarding
GMO’s and their impacts on the environment, food safety and agriculture. If a GMO
created a possible allergen or toxin in food, this area would be the responsibility of the
FDA.
On the field tour, the soil temperature was taken in the cornfield and found to be 54 – 55
degrees. Soil temperature in the hops plot was 55 – 58 degrees. Several insect traps were
dug into the soil at various places and buckwheat was planted. The traps will be checked
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next week to see what type and how many insects ( i.e. grubs) are in the soil.
For winter rye, the flag leaf near the top of the plant is the most important leaf because
it is needed for photosynthesis. This will eventually produce the rye. In New Jersey, rye
(long straw) is important for the breeding and bedding of horses.
Observing the wheat field, many white butterflies (cabbage loppers) were flying about,
and will eventually lay their eggs (larvae) there. In time, this will generate worm damage.
Kenny also fertilized the wheat field, having a darker green color compared to the light
green tire tracks.
The strawberry plot looks good. June bearing and ever-bearing plants were planted. The
base of each of the blueberry plants needs the mulch taken away. The hops plants will
need to be tied-up in the near future. The county also recently completed a new irrigation
system in the demonstration plots.
