CORN EARWORM PRESSURE HIGHER Fall Armyworm Counts Also Higher This Week Situation There has been no relief from drought conditions in most of southern and coastal Maine this week. Farmers continue to irrigate whenever and wherever possible, but many face depleting water resources. Poor tip fill, ear size and other quality issues can result from […]
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David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist, Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology, Christina Howard, Maine New Farmers Project Manager Spotted wing drosophila fruit fly numbers remained relatively stable at our trapping sites this week with no big increases or decreases (see table below). Continued hot, dry conditions and […]
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In this newsletter: Predicted Harvest Dates ReTain Timing Price Survey Results Peel Sap Calcium Results Fruit Maturity Predicted Dates for McIntosh Harvest Based on temperature after full bloom, the predicted date for the beginning of harvest for long-term storage of McIntosh is September 10 in the Augusta area. The predicted date for the end […]
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FALL ARMYWORM PRESSURE INCREASING Corn Earworm Counts Remain Low-Moderate Situation It’s official: most of southern and coastal Maine is now under drought conditions, according to the National Weather Service. In addition, there does not appear to be any relief in sight in the near term. Growers are struggling to keep crops irrigated and maintain their […]
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David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist, Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology, Christina Howard, Maine New Farmers Project Manager Spotted wing drosophila fruit fly numbers continue to increase at our trapping sites this week (see table below). Populations are over the recommended spray threshold (4/trap/week) at all sites. […]
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CORN EARWORM PRESSURE MODERATE Silking Corn Threatened By Fall Armyworm, Western Bean Cutworm SITUATION Very warm, dry weather continues to speed corn growth. Some fields intended for Labor Day harvest will likely be ready much earlier. Quality continues to be very good, especially in fields that have been irrigated through the dry spell. Pest pressure […]
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David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist, Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology, Christina Howard, Maine New Farmers Project Manager Spotted wing drosophila fruit fly numbers have increased at most our trapping sites in Southern Maine this week (see table below). Populations are over the recommended spray threshold (4/ […]
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PEST PRESSURE MODERATE THIS WEEK Most Silking Corn Remains On A Protective Spray Schedule SITUATION Early sweet corn harvest is under way in much of southern and central Maine this week. Quality continues to be reported as very good. Dry conditions continue to dominate, so growers are irrigating wherever possible. Pest pressure was moderate this […]
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In this newsletter: Peach Maturity Leaf and Soil Sampling Reminder Peel Sap Analysis for Predicting Bitter Pit Soil Moisture Readings Dept of Agriculture’s Autumn in Maine statewide publication Peach Maturity In southern Maine, the early to ripen peaches have reached a stage where they can be harvested. At Highmoor Farm, our early peaches have another […]
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Cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) symptoms were confirmed on Friday, July 25th in Franklin County, MA. All cucurbits are susceptible to this disease, with cucumbers and melons most at risk. So far this season there are no nearby outbreaks affecting pumpkins or squash. If you have not added DM-targeted fungicides to your spray program already you […]
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