Disease management can be a challenge for organic swine producers. Several intestinal parasites, including large roundworms, whipworms, and nodular worms pose significant risks to organic pig production and can be transmitted via soils or bedding. In this study, researchers assessed the prevalence of intestinal parasites on certified-organic and alternative pig farms, evaluating parasite incidence in pasture soils, bedding, and fecal matter.

Rodale Institute researchers conducted a study evaluating whether UV-B light combined with the organic fungicide MilStop could control powdery mildew in greenhouse lettuce, a disease that can cut yields by up to 30%. This one-pager summarizes the findings, noting that the combined treatment reduced powdery mildew incidence, with MilStop boosting yield and UV-B increasing amino acid content.

In this free online course prepared by the Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS), learn about harvest and storage considerations for organic field crops. The course will feature harvesting methods and post-harvest storage tactics for crops including corn, soybeans, small grains, pulses, forage crops, and more.

In this webinar, Dr. Armen Kemanian from Penn State University presents field data obtained in Central Pennsylvania and in Sardinia, Italy, on N2O emissions in manured and cover cropped fields. This research suggests that controlling the rate and timing of organic inputs, as well as preventing the co-location of legume cover crops and manure, could mitigate N2O emissions.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Agricultural and Natural Resource Economist Jeff Schahczenski talks with Aria McLauchlan and Harley Cross about how to measure the impact that soil health practices can have in mitigating the impacts of weather and climate disruption.

In this project I will continue to assess downy mildew (DM) resistant cucumber seedstocks, with intensified focus on evaluating and advancing the lines I selected in 2018 from Common Wealth Seed Growers’ DMR breeding population. This popula…

Fire blight is a highly destructive bacterial disease in apples. Conventional management entails the use of synthetic bactericide sprays, but organic management options remain limited. One organic spray that has received attention utilizes bacteriophage control, wherein naturally-occurring viruses that infect plant pathogens are cultured and applied to orchards at bloom. This study evaluated the efficacy of bacteriophage sprays as an organic fire blight management strategy.

This Rodale Institute research summary reports on a multi-year variety trial evaluating grain and fiber hemp cultivars grown organically in Pennsylvania. It covers differences among varieties in plant height, biomass, grain and fiber yield, disease/pest tolerance, and days to maturity, identifying top-performing cultivars for organic growers in the region.

In this free online course prepared by the Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS), learn about the organic transition for field crops. The course will cover: requirements during the 36-month transition period; strategies for managing production during the transition; and economic considerations during this period.

Keen public interest in soil carbon sequestration will test the scientific community’s ability to deliver effective soil management practices. In this webinar, produced by the USDA Climate Hub and the International Soil Carbon Network, experts share case studies from the UK and US on the impacts of manure and compost on soil carbon sequestration in agricultural ecosystems.

This episode of Voices from the Field is the first of a two-part conversation with organic farming pioneer and founder of the Farmer Veteran Coalition Michael O’Gorman. In this part of the conversation, he and NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Mike Lewis talk about Michael’s history and how good planning and record keeping can help farmers cope with rising prices for inputs and supplies.

In this project I will assess resistance to both Bacterial Wilt and Cucurbit Downy Mildew among selected cucumber and muskmelon seedstocks, and move forward with an ongoing project to develop a pickling cucumber that is resistant to both di…