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On June 24, 2017

Potato leafhoppers have arrived in the state and populations in some areas are building rapidly. Extension Entomologist John Tooker reminds growers they would be wise to keep an eye out for increasing populations of this pest because once their feeding is evident economic damage has been done.

Potato leafhoppers are perennially the most damaging pest of alfalfa in Pennsylvania, but they can also cause economic damage in other legume forages and some vegetable crops. Their feeding reduces yield and quality (especially lower protein content), and can decrease stand longevity.

Potato leafhoppers do not live in Pennsylvania all year, but migrate here each spring on storm fronts, arriving in late May and early June. Potato leafhoppers can be frustrating due to the sporadic nature of their infestations – even in bad leafhopper years, many fields escape damage. Once potato leafhoppers colonize alfalfa fields, adults deposit eggs into stems and leaf veins. In warm weather like we now have, these eggs will develop into adults in about three weeks, so populations can increase quickly. Potato leafhoppers have straw like mouthparts and extract plant juices. Heavy feeding disrupts nutrient flow within plants, causing yellow triangles to form at the leaflet tips (“hopper burn”), but this evidence of damage does not develop until 7-10 days after feeding begins. As feeding continues, damage gets worse and the chlorotic areas spread toward the base of the leaflet. Once hopper burn is evident, economic loss has occurred.

For non-chemical controls, resistant varieties of alfalfa are valuable. These varieties are covered with fine hairs (the hairs are actually “glandular trichomes”), which decrease leafhopper feeding, but obviously this option needs to be pursued before establishment. Another option is to mix other forages in with alfalfa. Alfalfa/orchardgrass stands (or other combinations) appear much better at tolerating leafhopper damage than pure stands of alfalfa. Spiders and other natural enemies kill potato leafhoppers, so using IPM and spraying insecticides only when economic populations develop will help maintain these allies in pest control. In fact, we have growers in Pennsylvania who do not treat their alfalfa fields with insecticides and claim they do not see potato leaf hopper damage; natural enemies would be the best explanation for this lack of damage.

If damaging populations develop, early harvest or insecticides are often the only choices. Early harvest can stop damage, but regrowth should also be scouted to determine if the next cutting also develops damaging populations. To target leafhoppers most effectively, populations should be sampled and treatment applied only when economic thresholds are exceeded. In Tooker’s experience, regular scouting and use of economic threshold can limit the need to use insecticides to once a summer. In most years, it makes the most sense to start sampling in the first week of June and continue to do so periodically. Scouting details and economic thresholds can be found in our potato leaf hopper fact sheet (http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/potato-leafhopper-alfalfa).

 

To Scout For Palmer Amaranth And Waterhemp

Pigweed species have begun emerging for the season in Pennsylvania, including reports of Palmer amaranth and waterhemp in southeastern Pennsylvania. It is important to scout for these invasive weeds now, and control them before they reach 4 inches tall.

Palmer amaranth and waterhemp are highly competitive pigweed species with widespread herbicide resistance that continue to spread through Pennsylvania. They are confirmed on over 40 farms across the state, with the highest concentrations in southeastern counties. While their emergence was delayed this year due to cool May temperatures, pigweeds have now begun emerging in Pennsylvania. Now is the time to scout fields for Palmer amaranth and waterhemp, in order to control them with effective herbicides before they reach 4 inches tall. Because of widespread resistance to glyphosate (Roundup) and the Group 2 herbicides (ALS-inhibitors), herbicide programs should include multiple other effective modes of action.

Very young Palmer amaranth and waterhemp may be identified by carefully examining their stems and leaves. We have compiled many resources onto a website (http://extension.psu.edu/pests/weeds/palmer-amaranth) including identification, management, and timely updates on these pigweeds. Please refer to this website for in depth information on the best management practices for these weeds. This includes a 5-part video series on identification and management, identification photos, and a one-page flier (http://extension.psu.edu/pests/weeds/palmer-amaranth/additional-resources/invasive-pigweeds-informational-flyer) that highlights some key points about these species. As new and more information is acquired, we will post them on this website. The Integrated Weed Management Resource Center (www.integratedweedmanagement.org<http://www.integratedweedmanagement.org/>) also has valuable resource on invasive pigweeds.

Pigweed species have begun emerging for the season in Pennsylvania, including reports of Palmer amaranth and waterhemp in southeastern Pennsylvania. It is important to scout for these invasive weeds now, and control them before they reach 4 inches tall.

 

To Plan To Attend The  “Food for Profit” Class

Family favorite foods make traditions. Convenience foods are in high demand. Bold new flavors wanted! Are you a Food Entrepreneur that thinks outside the box? Penn State Extension’s Food for Profit is a one-day workshop to help you work through the maze of local and state regulations, food safety issues, and business management concepts that all must be considered in setting up a commercial food business.

The course will be held at the Artisan Exchange, 208 Carter Drive, Suite 13B, West Chester PA 19382, on Monday, August 28, 2017 from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This session is sponsored by Artisan Exchange. Artisan Exchange provides an affordable culinary environment that supports entrepreneurs committed to producing hand-crafted, sustainable foods while sharing sound business practices that have a positive social impact. They lease small-scale individual food related manufacturing and distribution workstations in a fully equipped 27,000 square foot distribution center including sanitized work and clean up area.

The Food for Profit course will take you step-by-step through the entrepreneurial process. It will provide you with the information and skills to evaluate if your idea will be something that will sell at a profit. Conducting a feasibility study (to see if yours is a good business idea) performing marketing research, and beginning to draft a business plan are a few of the concrete tools taught by certified instructors and business experts. By attending this class, you will learn how to evaluate the opportunities on paper before you look for funding or take action, saving you money and time.

If you want to develop the skills to be innovative and visionary in your business or to grow your food venture – you will enjoy and benefit from this informative and interactive course.If you’re searching for innovative ideas about how to get your enterprise off the ground, this program for you!

Food for Profit will meet from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Monday, August 28, 2017 at Artisan Exchange, 208 Carter Drive, Suite 13B, West Chester, PA 19382. Tuition cost of $65 per person includes all course materials, resource packet, and lunch is provided. Pre-payment and registration are required for this may be accomplished on-line at http://extension.psu.edu/food/safety/entrepreneurs, or by calling the registration coordinator at 717-921-8803<tel:717-921-8803>. For further information about workshop content, contact Extension Educator Winifred McGee, wwm1@psu.edu<mailto:wwm1@psu.edu>, 717-921-8803<tel:717-921-8803> or John Wodehouse jpw20@psu.edu<mailto:jpw20@psu.edu> , (610)-696-3500<tel:(610)-696-3500>. Penn State is an affirmative action, equal opportunity university, and all interested individuals, regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age or disability, are encouraged to attend. Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our office at (610)-696-3500<tel:(610)-696-3500> in advance of your participation or visit.

Quote Of The Week: “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” Abraham Lincoln