In This Issue:
Pesticide Security is Important
Ohio Apple Cider Season is Here
MSU Bramble School 2002
Vole Management in Orchards
Fruit Observations & Trap Reports
Terminal Wholesale Fruit Prices
In the weeks following September 11, agriculture aerial applications were grounded after the FBI discovered that terrorists involved in the hijacking had also visited small, rural airfields to obtain information on crop dusting airplanes and equipment. Security experts were concerned the equipment could be misused for releasing biological or chemical agents, according to news reports. Any suspicious people or activities should be reported to authorities.
Taking measures to keep pesticides secure to avoid misuse or vandalism takes on new meaning in light of these events. The following security measures should be taken with pesticides at anytime:
Spraying of pesticides according to the label is not the security issue. Only the licensed applicator or supervised employees and family members should use pesticides. The concern is theft or vandalism of pesticides and applicator equipment. Keeping pesticides secured is important on the farm or in the commercial agriculture business.
Also keep in mind that certain fertilizers can be used for bombs. Any large purchases or suspicious inquiries about obtaining fertilizer should also be reported to authorities.
Great tasting Ohio apple cider is now available in grocery stores and farm markets throughout the state. Heart-healthy benefits and a commitment to product quality and safety make Ohio apple cider an excellent beverage selection this fall, according to John Wargowsky of the Ohio Apple Marketing Program.
Apple cider's unique blend of several apple varieties - the recipe is different for every cider maker - has made this brew an American favorite for young and old alike since Colonial times. Recent research news suggests that apple cider might also be a great way to drink that healthful "apple-a-day." Researchers at the University of California Davis Medical Center reported earlier this year that daily consumption of apples and apple juice may help reduce the damage caused by the "bad" type of cholesterol and protect against heart disease. Dianne Hyson, Ph.D., R.D., the study's lead researcher, emphasized this is the first study conducted in humans to demonstrate that apples and apple juice may help to slow the cholesterol oxidation process that is involved in the build-up of plaque that leads to heart disease. Apple cider provides the same healthful benefits as its kissing cousin, apple juice, according to Julia Stewart Daly, nutrition communication specialist for the U.S. Apple Association.
Charles Kirchner, with the Division of Food Safety at the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), reports that Ohio cider producers are inspected annually to ensure Ohio consumers receive a high quality product. Ohio cider producers and the Ohio Department of Agriculture have joined forces to ensure that all Ohio-made apple cider meets Food and Drug Administration standards for fresh juice production.
Consumers wishing to locate a cider producer may visit http://www.ohioapples.org or contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture at 1-800 IM PROUD to receive the new directory of farmers markets and farm markets, where apple cider is often sold.
The MSU Bramble School 2002 will be held Thursday, January 10, 2002. The school will be held at the Holiday Inn Kalamazoo West in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This intensive one-day school is designed to help anyone interested in brambles learn more about all aspects of bramble production and pest control. Educational notebooks and a lunch will be provided.
Dr. Marvin Pritts, Department of Horticulture, Cornell University will be the featured speaker for this school. Dr. Pritts will be joined by several MSU experts in presenting a comprehensive educational program. Topics that will be covered include physiology; varieties; nutrition; postharvest disease susceptibility; control of insects, diseases, and weeds; and marketing.
Dr. Pritts will also present a half-day workshop on Friday, January 11, 2002 at the same location as the MSU Bramble School. He will discuss his findings as to the feasibility of producing raspberries in the greenhouse in the winter.
Detailed information and a registration packet will be available in late October. For more information on this school or to be added to the mailing list contact: Al Gaus, 616-944-4126 (gausa@msue.msu.edu); Bob Tritten (tritten@msue.msu.edu), 810-732-2177; or Gary Thornton (thornton@msue.msu.edu), 231-946-1510.
Field mice, also called meadow mice, are wild, short-tailed, brown mice more properly called voles. Meadow voles, pine voles, and prairie voles damage fruit trees, Christmas trees, ornamental trees and shrubs, and grassy areas throughout the state. Meadow voles are found statewide and make shallow (one- to three- inch) tunnels in the ground and surface runways in the grass. They also girdle tree trunks in fall and winter, particularly in years with heavy and prolonged snow cover.
Pine voles occur in scattered populations on the west half of the state and dig deep tunnels, but make few surface runways. They need a certain amount of organic matter and clay content in the soil so their tunnels can hold up; as a result they are rarely found in sandy locations. If they are present, it will be in the areas with a heavier soil. They girdle tree roots, sometimes as deep as three feet. Prairie voles are found in southwestern Michigan, and the evidence of their presence resembles both the meadow and pine voles.
Biological control: A variety of wild animals feed on voles: hawks, owls, crows, ravens, weasels, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, skunks, shrews, domestic cats, and some species of snakes. Of these, the hawks and owls (raptors) and snakes can be encouraged to feed in orchards, tree plantations, and grassy areas. Note that predation will not prevent large, periodic increases in vole populations, but may eliminate enough individuals in normal years to prevent some damage.
Cultural control: Meadow voles live in tall grass, brush-grass mixtures, and under artificial cover (hay bales, mulch, boards, cartons and crates, brush piles) in grassy areas, etc. Growers can reduce this habitat by mowing tight in the fall and consistently throughout the summer, by using herbicides, and removing alternative cover.
Mechanical controls: The trunks of fruit trees can be encircled with a tree guard to prevent voles from gnawing the bark. This is particularly important on young trees, where small amounts of gnawing can severely damage or kill the tree. It should be noted that some tree guards would end up being tight around the trunk as the tree grows in diameter. If these tree guards are tight to the trunk through the fall, it will render that trunk more susceptible to winter injury. This is especially true with stone fruits. Removing the wraps in August and letting the trunk harden off can minimize any problems resulting from tree guards. The guards can then be reapplied just prior to winter setting in - late October or early November in Northern Michigan.
Population reduction: When used in conjunction with biological, cultural, and mechanical controls, rodenticides are an important component of a vole management program. They are the easiest and most effective way to control a large population. Broadcasting toxic baits to grassy areas can be done after harvest is complete, from September to December. It is best to broadcast baits just prior to three or more days or more of relatively warm, dry weather, when the voles will be most actively feeding. Do not place baits in piles or on bare soil. Research has shown that bait in piles or on bare soil is least effective in killing voles and is most hazardous to non-target wildlife and pets. When voles invade an orchard by traveling under snow or when ground vegetation is sparse, bait-dispensing stations should be used. Bait stations can also be used in orchards that have a history of vole injury in just certain hot spots near the edges.
Waterman Lab, Columbus, Dr. Celeste Welty, OSU Extension Entomologist
Traps used: STLM = Wing trap, SJS = Pherocon V, Codling Moth = mean of 3 MultiPher® traps, Others = MultiPher
Chicago http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/HX_FV010.txt
Detroit http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/DU_FV010.txt
Pittsburgh http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/PS_FV010.txt
| Chicago | Detroit | Pittsburgh | |
| Apples, cartons, traypack | |||
| U.S. ExFancy Gala | NY 100s 15.50-16.00 | ||
| No grade marks Jonathan | MI 88s 16.00-18.00
100s 16.00-18.00 |
||
| No grade marks Paula Red | MI 88s 16.00
100s 16.00 |
||
| Apples, cartons, 12 3-lb filmbags | |||
| U.S. Fancy Empire | PA 2¼" min 10.00-12.00 | ||
| U.S. Fancy Gala | MI 2½" min 11.50-12.00 | PA 2¼" min 10.00-12.00 | |
| U.S. Fancy Ginger Gold | MI 2½" min 10.00 | ||
| U.S. Fancy Golden Delicious | MI 2¼" up 11.00 | PA 11.25-12.50 | |
| U.S. Fancy Jonagold | PA 2¼" min 10.00-12.00 | ||
| U.S. Fancy Paula Red | WI 2½" min 10.50 | ||
| U.S. Fancy Jersey Mac | WI 2½" min 10.50-11.00 | ||
| U.S. Fancy McIntosh | MI 2½" min 10.00 | NY 2½" min 10.50-11.50 | |
| U.S. Fancy Red Delicious | MI 2¼" up 10.00 | PA 11.25-12.50 | |
| U.S. ExFancy Red Delicious | MI 2½" min 10.00 | ||
| U.S. ExFancy Gala | MI 2½" min 13.00-13.50 | ||
| U.S. ExFancy Gold Supreme | MI 2½" min 10.00 | ||
| U.S. ExFancy Jonathan | MI 2½" min 11.50-12.00 | ||
| Apples, bushel cartons, loose | |||
| U.S. Fancy Cortland | MI 2½" min 11.50-12.00 | ||
| U.S. Fancy Gala | MI 2¼" up 12.00 | MI 2¾" up 14.50-15.00
3" min 14.50-15.00 2½" up 11.50- 12.00 |
PA 2¼" min 10.00-12.00 |
| U.S. Fancy Ginger Gold | MI 2¾" up 10.00-12.00
3" min 14.50-15.00 2½" up 10.00-12.00 |
||
| U.S. Fancy Gold Supreme | MI 2¾" up 11.50-12.00
3" min 13.50-14.00 |
||
| U.S. Fancy Golden Delicious | IL 2¼" up 12.00
MI 2¼" up 13.00-14.00 |
||
| U.S. Fancy Jonagold | PA 2¼" min 10.00-12.00 | ||
| U.S. Fancy Jonathan | MI 2¼" up 12.00 | ||
| U.S. Fancy McIntosh | MI 2¾" up 11.50-12.00
3" min 11.50-12.00 2½" up 10.00-12.00 |
||
| U.S. Fancy Paula Red | IL 2¼" up 12.00 | ||
| U.S. Fancy Red Delicious | MI 2¾" up 11.50-12.00
2½" up 9.50-10.00 |
||
| Empire | PA 10.00-12.00 | ||
| Gala | PA 10.00-12.00 | ||
| Golden Delicious | PA 10.00-12.00 | ||
| Jonagold | PA 10.00-12.00 | ||
| Paula Red | PA 10.00-12.00 | ||
| Red Delicious | MI 2¼" up 13.00 | PA 10.00-12.00 | |
| Apples, cartons cellpack | |||
| U.S. Fancy Paula Red 112s | WI 15.00 | ||
| U.S. Fancy McIntosh 80s
100s 120s |
NY 10.00 - 12.00
10.00 - 12.00 10.00 - 12.00 | ||
| U.S. ExFancy McIntosh 100s
120s |
NY 15.50-16.00 | NY 20.00 - 22.00 | |
| Blueberries, 12 1-pt cups | MI med 20.00-22.00 | MI lg 21.50
med 10.00-12.50 | |
| 12 ½-pint cups | MI med 15.00-16.00 | MI Elliots sm-med 12-12.50 | |
| Peaches, 25 lb cartons, U.S. ExOne various yellow flesh varieties | MI 2½" up 12.00-12.50
2¼" up 8.50-9.00 |
||
| Peaches, ½ bu cartons, no grade marks, various yellow flesh varieties | NJ 2½" up 12.00 | ||
| Peaches, ½ bu cartons, U.S. One various yellow flesh varieties | NJ 2¾" up 10.00-11.00
2½" up 9.00-10.00 2¼" up 6.00 |
||
| Prune Plums, 30-lb cartons U.S. One Stanley | MI 1¼" min 10.00 | MI 1¼" min 11-12.25 | |
| U.S. One Bluefire | MI 1¼" min 11.50-12.00 | ||
Ted W. Gastier
Extension Agent, Agriculture
Tree Fruit Team Coordinator
Ohio State University Extension Huron County
180 Milan Avenue
Norwalk, OH 44857
Phone: (419)668-8210
FAX: (419)663-4233
E-mail: gastier.1@osu.edu
Copyright © The Ohio State University 2001
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension
are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to
race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender,
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Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director,
OSU Extension.
TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868