Despite the wet start to the month, the entire state saw less than 50 percent of normal rainfall from April 10 to 16, and in some cases, less than 10 percent of normal rainfall (Figure 1). This was helpful, especially since some locations are still dealing with river flood warnings and ponded, saturated fields. This…Read more about Wet Pattern to Return[Read More]
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Lygus is a genus of insects within the family Miridae (Order: Hemiptera, piercing-sucking true bugs) that often feed on common horticultural crops. These small insects have rather large eyes, heavily patterned, neutrally colored wings, and long, spindly antennae. The diet of Lygus bugs, as they are colloquially called, is incredibly diverse, ranging from cotton and…Read more about Insect Spotlight: Lygus Bugs[Read More]
Introduction Ensuring the microbial safety of fresh produce is a critical step in preventing foodborne illnesses and safeguarding public health. Fresh produce is often exposed to contaminants during various stages of production, including growing and harvesting, where it can come into contact with soil, irrigation water, compost and wildlife (Dogan et al., 2023; Rock et…Read more about Understanding the Impact of Organic Matter on Free Available Chlorine (FAC) Concentration in Postharvest Water[Read More]
Dear Valued VCH Readers, Welcome to this week’s edition of the Vegetable Crops Hotline! As spring field activities continue to be limited by the recent wet conditions, we have several timely updates to share. In this issue, we explore the impact of organic matter on chlorine sanitizers in postharvest washing, spotlight the troublesome Lygus bugs…Read more about From The Editor’s Desk[Read More]
Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2025 crop year have until April 15, 2025, to revise elections and sign contracts. Both safety net programs, delivered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provide vital income support to eligible farmers who experience substantial declines in crop…Read more about USDA Reminds Agricultural Producers to Enroll in Key Safety Net Programs by April 15[Read More]
Drying produce can be an attractive technique for adding value to your crop, reducing waste, and diversifying the products offered to consumers. The process of dehydrating produce extends shelf life by reducing water content and limiting the growth of microorganisms that can cause spoilage. Remain aware, though, that most dehydration processes are not kill steps…Read more about Ensuring Food Safety in Produce Drying: Best Practices for Handling, Preparation, and Dehydration[Read More]
Many of you are getting ready to start planting your seeds in the greenhouse, especially if you are planning to transplant. Regardless of the time you start or the type of crop you are planting, it is important to ensure that you have clean and disinfected areas in your greenhouse to prevent disease infections and…Read more about Cleaning and Disinfesting Your Greenhouse Before Planting[Read More]
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