Missouri Produce
WHO’S Growers Bulletin WHO A joint publication of the Univeristy of Missouri and Lincoln University JULY 2013 James Quinn Bulletin Editor MU Horticulture 573-634-2824 Progressive market steps taken by CMPA...by James Quinn [email protected] Central Missouri Produce pared to previous years. that they are reasonably close. Jaime Pinero State IPM Specialist Auction (CMPA) implemented a As the season progressed, There are two main benefits to LU Extension number of changes this year. The growers began bringing their this, the produce is under cover 573-681-5522 most significant is now two auc- flats, hanging baskets, and other and out of the sun and the grow- [email protected] tion rings are occurring at the plants in on wagons. Thus a ers can come early, drop their same time for the majority of the wagon auction ring occurred produce and return to their farms. Dave Trinklein State auction. This began right away while a multitude of other flats So why these changes this year Floriculture Specialist with their early plug and plant and plants were auctioned off of and are they being used else- MU Extension sales. Starting right away has rolling racks from an adjacent where? A catalyst for the change 573-882-9631 helped buyers to adapt. The auc- ring. With most plant sales hav- was the drought last year and the [email protected] tion rings are conducted nearby ing ended and the shift to pro- intense heat having a negative Zelalem Mersha so that buyers can monitor both duce, another significant change effect on the produce as it was Plant Pathologist rings at the same time. It is more has ensued; products are no out in the hot sun on wagons LU Extension demanding on the buyers’ atten- longer auctioned from wagons. waiting to be auctioned. It was so 573-681-5522 tion though. One main advantage Now products are unloaded hot that even when covered by [email protected] of this change was noticeable onto carts on the auction floor. box lids, some produce was affect- right from the beginning; the auc- Two auctioneers work their way ed and buyers (justifiably) raised tions are finishing much quicker, down parallel cart rows, pro- concerns. MU county offices, roughly in about ½ the time com- ceeding about the same pace so Continued on page 3 specialist& phone
Adair– Jennifer Schut- ter 660-665-9866 Colony Collapse Disorder, the Varroa Mite, and Daviess— Tim Baker 660-663-3232 Resources for Beekeepers….…...by Travis Harper Greene— Pat Byers 417-881-8909 There’s no question that tion of the above. The exact that most of the hive losses Harrison- H. Benedict the biggest story in beekeeping cause is still unknown but most that do occur, especially those 660-425-6434 since 2006 has been colony researchers agree that it is prob- that occur under the watch of collapse disorder (CCD). Col- ably a combination of factors. small or hobby beekeepers, are Henry— Travis Harper ony collapse disorder is a phe- not due to CCD at all. There It has become easy and popu- 660-885-5556 nomenon in which workers are a variety of reasons why a lar to blame the loss of bee hives Morgan— Joni Harper bees abruptly disappear from a colony may die but most of on CCD. To be classified as hive. Colony losses as high as these are related to a single 573-378-5358 CCD, there are three conditions 90% have been reported by pest, the varroa mite. Vernon— Pat Miller that must occur simultaneously: beekeepers every year since 417-448-2560 there must be capped brood The varroa mite is today, 2006. There have been a num- present, there must be food and has been since the 1980’s, Webster— Bob Schul- ber of agents blamed for CCD stores present that are not being the most serious pest of honey theis 417-859-2044 including: malnutrition, patho- robbed by other bees, and the bees in the United States. Var- gens, immunodeficiencies, queen bee must be present in roa mites will attach to bees mites, fungus, pesticides, bee- the hive. If these conditions and feed on their hemolymph, keeping practices, electromag- are not met, it is not colony weakening the bee. netic radiation, or a combina- collapse disorder. The fact is Continued on page 2 PAGE 2
Varroa mites can Bees, Mites and CCD...continued
be seen with the During this process the varroa The first step in using IPM to control entire lines of bees that are more re- mites will transmit a number of viruses varroa is to determine whether the popula- sistant to varroa mites. Russian bees as to the bees, including deformed wing tion of varroa mites warrants treatment well as VSH bees are available from unaided eye but virus. The open wound left by varroa (i.e. exceeds the economic threshold). most bee breeders across the country. mite feeding also makes the bee more University of Missouri Extension guide Keeping a colony of bees healthy beekeepers susceptible to a number of diseases. A G7600 Beekeeping Tips for Beginners is more difficult in the 21st century than weak, diseased colony will raise fewer describes two methods for determining the it has been at any other time in history. bees and store less honey for winter. level of mite infestation. This guide is Fortunately, the resources available to should rely on Varroa mite populations build quickly in available at every county extension office hobby beekeepers are greater than ever the spring and summer causing a bee in the state. These “mite checks” should before. The Missouri State Beekeepers one of the population crash and hive death from be performed monthly from March Association is an excellent source of late fall through early spring, about the through October. If mite levels exceed the expertise and assistance as are many of same time that most losses due to CCD economic threshold and honey supers are the local beekeeping associations found methods are reported. Every honey bee hive in not present, active controls such as throughout the state. Bee Culture is a Missouri has varroa mite and, unfortu- Apistan, Apivar, or Apiguard (thymol) can magazine geared specifically toward described in MU nately, the majority of hobby beekeep- be applied. small and hobby beekeepers. Penn State ers do nothing to control them. Many beekeepers are interested in Extension has a good online beekeeping A plastic strip impregnated with minimizing the use of pesticides in their course and many states have master Extension Guide fluvalinate (sold under the brand name hives and taking a more natural approach beekeeper programs and/or researchers Apistan) was found to be very effective to mite control. There are a number of dedicated entirely to studying honey G7600 in controlling varroa mites. Unfortu- strategies available that, when used bees. The United States Department of nately this product was used extensive- properly, can be very effective in keeping Agriculture has honey bee research ly, and often incorrectly, throughout the mite levels low. These strategies include laboratories in Maryland and Louisiana. Beekeeping Tips 1980’s and 1990’s resulting in a re- the use of drone cell foundation, screened If you are looking for information re- sistant population of varroa mites. A bottom boards, or powdered sugar dusting. garding honey bees and beekeeping, it is for Beginners to number of products containing couma- Ross Conrad’s book Natural Beekeeping out there. If you need assistance finding phos and thymol have been introduced goes into great detail on these and other it, contact your county extension office. since. These products have been shown strategies for controlling varroa mites. accurately to be effective but, like Apistan strips, This book is available for purchase from cannot be used when honey supers are any of the major beekeeping suppliers. present. In addition, research and prac- Taking advantage of honey bee genetics determine the tical experience have shown that bee- can also help with varroa mite. The Rus- keepers should not rely on a single prod- sian strain of honey bee has been shown to level of hive uct for mite treatment. Varroa mite be resistant to mite infestations. Research- control should be approached from an ers in the United States have also taken integrated pest management (IPM) advantage of a behavioral trait known as infestation. standpoint. varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) to breed
IPM shorts from around the state and other items of interest
IPM Shorts Update- Food Safety Modernization Act Spotted wing drysophila has been found at Lin- Just after the April newsletter went to the coln University traps near St. Louis & Springfield. printer, the deadline for comments regard- Cucumber beetle numbers seem low this year. ing the proposed rule were extended into Last year I September. The date in April was an error. Reason? Last year’s drought or the heavy rains Figure 1: A encoun- this year are the best guesses. Also accompanying this newsletter tered a Detrimental herbicide drift from spraying on A publication from NC Cooperative Extension worker honey few grow- bee parasi- windy days seemed to be bad this year, or we on herbicide carryover in manure, hay, compost, ers in just received more reports of it. The rainy spring and grass clippings. A wide variety of incidences tized by a var- Clark and time constrained many spring farming activities. related to these type of highly persistent active Prairie roa mite Zucchini issues fruit set problems. Likely causes ingredients occurred over the years, including: Home who were growing winter crops are due to rainy conditions, either failure to polli- Commercially produced compost (2011 & in high tunnels. The number has nate or Choanephora wet-rot (blossoms & fruit). 2013) with manure being the source. expanded this year, and the Cucumber mosaic virus on tomatoes from West- Pasture soil moved to build up a high tunnel. ern Missouri. Commercial growing media! Theory is Bacterial spot on peppers. To control a bacteri- ground bark was contaminated by Tordon al disease, use copper not a fungicide. (brush killer), which contains picloram. Municipally produced compost; brush killer or a turf herbicide could be
MISSOURI PRODUCE GROWERS BULLETIN the source. PAGE 3
Tomato Fruit Ripening Disorders…..by Dave Trinklein
The journey of a tomato from an uno- the uniform-ripening gene. Additionally, feeders and a shortage of the element dur- pened flower to a mature, harvestable fruit is some varieties are more likely to develop ing fruit development and ripening often a tenuous one. Many things can happen along white core than are others. Review Univer- leads to fruit ripening problems. Depending the way that can render the fruit of lesser sity field trail data for ripening disorder on soil test results, tomatoes should be value or, in some cases, totally worthless. A ratings before selecting a tomato variety; supplied with about 200 pounds of potassi- number of tomato ripening disorders have new varieties should be grown on a limited um (expressed as K20) per acre to grow a been witnessed this year and in recent past scale the first year. productive crop. One-half of this should be years. They include blotchy ripening, gray Second, proper management of the applied as “plow down”, before the plastic is wall, white core and yellow shoulder. Collec- plants’ leaves (crop canopy) is very im- laid. tively the literature refers to these as tissue portant. Here we have a bit of a dilemma Additional potassium during the ripening ripening disorders. since yellow shoulder is more prone to period should be applied through the drip First, it is important to remember that develop in open canopies. The heat stress irrigation system. Beginning when the old- these are disorders—not diseases. Disorders associated with fruit exposed to the sun has est tomato fruit are the size of a dime, begin normally are caused by environmental condi- been indicated as a cause for yellow shoul- applying potassium nitrate at the rate of tions whereas diseases are cause by plant der. In contrast, blotchy ripening often is between 10-12 lbs./acre/week. Double this pathogens. Disorders cannot be spread from associated with dense crop canopies. Fruit rate when the oldest fruit are about 2 ½ an affect plant to a healthy one; diseases can. hidden from the sun in dense foliage are inches in diameter until time of peak har- Symptoms of blotchy ripening, gray wall, white much more likely to develop blotchy ripen- vest. Finally, the rate can be stepped back core and yellow shoulder often occur when ing then those less shaded. A good crop to 10-12 lbs./acre/week just after peak har- the plant is under stress or when the environ- canopy allows for air circulation which is vest until the end of the crop. ment changes rapidly. Periods of hot weather important for preventing foliar diseases. It The above recommendations are for following unusually cool, raining example are a will be heavy enough to allow for shading of potassium expressed as K20. Make certain good example of the latter. the fruit but without excessive vegetation. you know the percent potassium in the There are several keys to controlling tis- Third, and (arguably) most important is fertilizer used and adjust injection rates sue ripening disorders; the first being variety potassium nutrition. Nearly all of the litera- accordingly. selection. For example, tomatoes with the ture involving the afore-mentioned ripening In summary, fruit ripening disorders “green shoulder” trait are more prone to disorders links them to potassium in some must be prevented; they cannot be cured. develop yellow shoulder than those that have way. Tomatoes are very heavy potassium Strategic variety selection, good manage-
Market Changes at Central Missouri’s Auction…..continued
The length of time for a typical (busy) auction has been a concern Another change will start in July to assist the sale of larger for some time and the sentiment was that the auction could try volumes. A ‘large lots’ auction will open the sales day. The auc- and do more to appeal to buyers who are time constrained. tioning of large lots will be conducted on the lower floor and will These are often buyers who need larger quantities. So in the have the minimum size of 10 boxes or a bin. summer and fall of 2012 five different auctions were visited in Are there any negatives to these changes (besides the in- PA, IA, and MO to consider options for changing the auction. In creased demand of buyers attention to concurrent auctions)? Of addition to the auction manager, individuals going on these visits most concern is the lack of placing a personal connection of the included board members, growers, shareholders and employees. grower to his product, which was very obvious when he would They returned with the ideas to start two auction rings and pull the load past on a wagon. To compensate growers are en- to use the facility floor space to stage fresh produce, instead of couraged to stand by their product at least some of the time at on wagons. Larger auctions have been using more than one auc- some auctions. The food stand sales has decreased substantially, tion for some time; the auction in Leola, PA uses up to four! as buyers are often too busy to eat and the auction doesn’t Discontinuing drive-thru is a relatively new concept, but was stretch across the lunch hour like it used to so often. seen as the trend as more auctions see the benefit of letting Thus far most everyone is enjoying spending less time at the growers unload and get back home to work. With these changes auction and more at their farm or business. A good time to check they had four goals in mind: out these changes is when the next Central Missouri farm tour th Limit the time the produce out of the sun. will be held, which is August 28 . The auction begins at 10 and Keep the auction selling time to under 3 hours, a time rec- the tour will likely start at 11:30 since the auction is finishing so ommended by the experienced large auctions back east. much quicker.
Allow the growers return to the farm more quickly. My appreciation to James Ramer, Manager of CMPA for his input Eliminates the huge burden of unloading produce off of and assistance with this article. wagons during sale time. About this mailing list You are being mailed this newsletter because you were involved in some type of MU Exten- sion program recently. Names and addresses Financial assistance (prin ng and are only kept by your local specialist or James mailing) for this issue of the IPM Quinn. They will not be shared with anyone newsle er was provided by: else. If you would like to be removed please let me know- USDA NIFA (National Institute of James Quinn Food and Agriculture) Extension Cole County Extension IPM Support Program through a 2436 Tanner Bridge Road Jefferson City, MO 65101 grant provided to the Lincoln University IPM Program. MU’s Plant Diagnostic Clinic is not open this summer
MELCAST– what is it and how to use it …..By Zelalem Marsha (Editor’s note– this continues a short article from the April edition.) What are the rules to spray? The principles of the MELCAST’s spray plan work similar to the mileage based service MELCAST – What for? MELCAST is a spray-advisory program to control Alternaria leaf blight, Anthracnose and Gummy stem or oil- change of our cars. blight diseases on watermelon and cantaloupe. It is NOT applicable 1) Start to spray at or before the vine-touch with in a row to any other diseases like Bacterial blotch and Powdery Mildew. For and record the EFI value for the day that the fungicide more than 10 years, the system has been tested in different parts of was sprayed. the country and helped farmers to save 1-2 sprays of fungicides per 2) Calculate the threshold for the next spray by adding 20 (for season. Cantaloupe) or 35 (for Watermelon) EFI values to what MELCAST – how does it work? In simple terms MELCAST ad- was recorded in step 1, and then spray your next fungicide. vises farmers to start the first spray when the vines touch within a 3) Make your next fungicide application based on the 20 or 35 row and to continue their spray plans based on environmental fa- EFI cumulated values. If the thresholds are not reached vorability in that particular location. If you live within a 20-25 miles range of the four locations in Missouri, you would be able to get a within 14 days after step 2, then spray your field. value which technically is referred to as Environmental Favora- 4) Recalculate the EFI value based on the thresholds and contin- bility Index (EFI). To learn more about using the MELCAST sys- ue the spray plan until the end of the season. Keep in mind tem and how to access the data please contact Zelalem Mersha the 14-days interval if the thresholds are not achieved. ([email protected], 573-681-5634), Sarah Denkler ([email protected], 573-686-8064) or visit the following web- 5) Make sure to follow the REI (Re-entry Interval) and PHI site to get an update of the EFI values (http:// (Pre-harvest interval) of the fungicides in your spray plan to decide when to re-enter your field or to harvest your btny.agriculture.purdue.edu/melcast/). crop, respectively. For the comprehensive list of fungicides, What is an EFI value? This is a value developed through many please refer the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide 2013. years of experimentation at Purdue University. These studies have You can either buy the book or download the electronic developed models which assign a daily value in the scale of 1 (not version from http://www.btny.purdue.edu/pubs/id/id-56/ or favorable) to 10 (highly favorable) for a given location, at a particu-