Newsletter

VegEdge is the highly regarded newsletter produced by the Cornell Vegetable Program. It provides readers with information on upcoming meetings, pesticide updates, pest management strategies, cultural practices, marketing ideas and research results from Cornell and Cornell Cooperative Extension. VegEdge is produced every few weeks, with frequency increasing leading up to and during the growing season. Over 20 issues of VegEdge are produced each year! We appreciate the support of our VegEdge sponsors!
VegEdge is only available to enrollees in the Cornell Vegetable Program.
All Cornell Vegetable Program enrollees receive a complimentary electronic subscription to VegEdge with their enrollment. For more information, contact Angela Ochterski.
If you are enrolled in the Cornell Vegetable Program, log in (black panel at top of screen) to view current issues of VegEdge newsletter.
If you are not enrolled in our program, you must enroll to view current issues.
Archived issues of VegEdge (issues produced more than 6 months ago) can be found below.
Archived VegEdge Newsletters
2024 VegEdge Newsletters
September 11, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 22 (PDF; 1515KB)
August 28, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 21 (PDF; 1430KB)
August 21, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 20 (PDF; 1643KB)
August 14, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 19 (PDF; 1875KB)
August 7, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 18 (PDF; 1433KB)
July 31, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 17 (PDF; 1529KB)
July 24, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 16 (PDF; 1412KB)
July 17, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 15 (PDF; 1427KB)
July 10, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 14 (PDF; 1608KB)
June 26, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 13 (PDF; 1734KB)
June 20, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 12 (PDF; 1070KB)
June 12, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 11 (PDF; 1773KB)
June 5, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 10 (PDF; 1659KB)
May 29, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 9 (PDF; 1341KB)
May 22, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 8 (PDF; 1245KB)
May 15, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 7 (PDF; 1604KB)
May 1, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 6 (PDF; 1366KB)
April 17, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 5 (PDF; 1981KB)
April 3, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 4 (PDF; 1426KB)
March 6, 2024 Volumn 20 Issue 3 (PDF; 1260KB)
2023 VegEdge Newsletters
December 6, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 25 (PDF; 1790KB)
November 1, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 24 (PDF; 1199KB)
October 4, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 23 (PDF; 1625KB)
September 6, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 22 (PDF; 1453KB)
August 30, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 21 (PDF; 1894KB)
August 23, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 20 (PDF; 1695KB)
August 16, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 19 (PDF; 1857KB)
August 9, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 18 (PDF; 1736KB)
August 2, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 17 (PDF; 1765KB)
July 26, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 16 (PDF; 1373KB)
July 19, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 15 (PDF; 1394KB)
July 13, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 14 (PDF; 1514KB)
July 5, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 13 (PDF; 1325KB)
June 28, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 12 (PDF; 1439KB)
June 21, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 11 (PDF; 1393KB)
June 14, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 10 (PDF; 1264KB)
June 7, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 9 (PDF; 1709KB)
May 31, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 8 (PDF; 1780KB)
May 17, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 7 (PDF; 2123KB)
May 3, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 6 (PDF; 1617KB)
April 19, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 5 (PDF; 1383KB)
April 5, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 4 (PDF; 1342KB)
March 1, 2023 Volumn 19 Issue 3 (PDF; 1343KB)
2022 VegEdge Newsletters
December 1, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 25 (PDF; 1684KB)
November 1, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 24 (PDF; 1517KB)
October 3, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 23 (PDF; 1392KB)
September 14, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 22 (PDF; 2779KB)
August 31, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 21 (PDF; 2460KB)
August 24, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 20 (PDF; 2368KB)
August 17, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 19 (PDF; 1076KB)
August 10, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 18 (PDF; 1246KB)
August 3, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 17 (PDF; 1645KB)
July 27, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 16 (PDF; 2145KB)
July 20, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 15 (PDF; 742KB)
July 13, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 14 (PDF; 2727KB)
July 6, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 13 (PDF; 1708KB)
June 29, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 12 (PDF; 1720KB)
June 22, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 11 (PDF; 1747KB)
June 15, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 10 (PDF; 1680KB)
June 8, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 9 (PDF; 1242KB)
June 1, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 8 (PDF; 1517KB)
May 25, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 7 (PDF; 1447KB)
May 11, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 6 (PDF; 1192KB)
April 27, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 5 (PDF; 1305KB)
April 4, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 4 (PDF; 1529KB)
March 1, 2022 Volumn 18 Issue 3 (PDF; 1611KB)
2021 VegEdge Newsletters
December 1, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 25 (PDF; 2598KB)
November 1, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 24 (PDF; 2575KB)
October 4, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 23 (PDF; 1821KB)
September 15, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 22 (PDF; 3332KB)
September 1, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 21 (PDF; 1510KB)
August 25, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 20 (PDF; 1126KB)
August 18, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 19 (PDF; 1560KB)
August 11, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 18 (PDF; 1520KB)
August 4, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 17 (PDF; 2116KB)
July 28, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 16 (PDF; 2507KB)
July 21, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 15 (PDF; 2128KB)
July 14, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 14 (PDF; 1720KB)
July 7, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 13 (PDF; 1737KB)
June 30, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 12 (PDF; 1589KB)
June 23, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 11 (PDF; 1282KB)
June 16, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 10 (PDF; 1951KB)
June 9, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 9 (PDF; 1212KB)
June 2, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 8 (PDF; 1705KB)
May 26, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 7 (PDF; 1383KB)
May 12, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 6 (PDF; 2302KB)
April 28, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 5 (PDF; 2211KB)
April 1, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 4 (PDF; 1479KB)
March 1, 2021 Volumn 17 Issue 3 (PDF; 2061KB)
2020 VegEdge Newsletters
December 2, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 25 (PDF; 1358KB)
November 2, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 24 (PDF; 2292KB)
October 1, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 23 (PDF; 2607KB)
September 16, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 22 (PDF; 2830KB)
September 2, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 21 (PDF; 3208KB)
August 19, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 20 (PDF; 2599KB)
August 12, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 19 (PDF; 3437KB)
August 5, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 18 (PDF; 1949KB)
July 29, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 17 (PDF; 2236KB)
July 22, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 16 (PDF; 2100KB)
July 15, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 15 (PDF; 2086KB)
July 8, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 14 (PDF; 2330KB)
July 1, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 13 (PDF; 2300KB)
June 24, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 12 (PDF; 2427KB)
June 17, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 11 (PDF; 2862KB)
June 10, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 10 (PDF; 2396KB)
June 3, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 9 (PDF; 3321KB)
May 27, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 8 (PDF; 2509KB)
May 13, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 7 (PDF; 1752KB)
April 29, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 6 (PDF; 1678KB)
April 15, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 5 (PDF; 1955KB)
April 1, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 4 (PDF; 1511KB)
March 2, 2020 Volumn 16 Issue 3 (PDF; 1318KB)
2019 VegEdge Newsletters
December 3, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 25 (PDF; 1817KB)
November 4, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 24 (PDF; 2483KB)
October 1, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 23 (PDF; 2277KB)
September 18, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 22 (PDF; 2726KB)
September 4, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 21 (PDF; 3419KB)
August 28, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 20 (PDF; 2718KB)
August 21, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 19 (PDF; 3968KB)
August 14, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 18 (PDF; 3462KB)
August 7, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 17 (PDF; 3323KB)
July 31, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 16 (PDF; 3202KB)
July 24, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 15 (PDF; 2943KB)
July 17, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 14 (PDF; 3007KB)
July 10, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 13 (PDF; 2095KB)
June 26, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 12 (PDF; 2138KB)
June 19, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 11 (PDF; 2242KB)
June 12, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 10 (PDF; 2382KB)
June 5, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 9 (PDF; 2404KB)
May 29, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 8 (PDF; 3058KB)
May 15, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 7 (PDF; 1781KB)
May 1, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 6 (PDF; 2295KB)
April 17, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 5 (PDF; 2066KB)
April 3, 2019 Volumn 15 Issue 4 (PDF; 2330KB)
2018 VegEdge Newsletters
December 20, 2018 Volumn 15 Issue 1 (PDF; 2106KB)
November 29, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 25 (PDF; 3571KB)
November 1, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 24 (PDF; 2073KB)
October 3, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 23 (PDF; 2366KB)
September 12, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 22 (PDF; 3471KB)
August 29, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 21 (PDF; 2355KB)
August 22, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 20 (PDF; 2649KB)
August 15, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 19 (PDF; 2241KB)
August 8, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 18 (PDF; 2825KB)
August 1, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 17 (PDF; 2279KB)
July 25, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 16 (PDF; 3203KB)
July 18, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 15 (PDF; 2367KB)
July 11, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 14 (PDF; 2603KB)
July 5, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 13 (PDF; 2043KB)
June 27, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 12 (PDF; 3328KB)
June 20, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 11 (PDF; 2607KB)
June 13, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 10 (PDF; 2575KB)
June 6, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 9 (PDF; 2758KB)
May 30, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 8 (PDF; 3236KB)
May 23, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 7 (PDF; 2610KB)
May 9, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 6 (PDF; 2621KB)
April 25, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 5 (PDF; 2007KB)
April 1, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 4 (PDF; 2475KB)
March 1, 2018 Volumn 14 Issue 3 (PDF; 2534KB)
2017 VegEdge Newsletters
December 1, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 25 (PDF; 2508KB)
November 1, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 24 (PDF; 2052KB)
October 1, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 23 (PDF; 2579KB)
September 13, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 22 (PDF; 1669KB)
August 30, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 21 (PDF; 2834KB)
August 23, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 20 (PDF; 4154KB)
August 16, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 19 (PDF; 2166KB)
August 9, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 18 (PDF; 2889KB)
August 2, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 17 (PDF; 1905KB)
July 26, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 16 (PDF; 1740KB)
July 19, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 15 (PDF; 2393KB)
July 12, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 14 (PDF; 2132KB)
July 5, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 13 (PDF; 1763KB)
June 28, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 12 (PDF; 2177KB)
June 21, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 11 (PDF; 2075KB)
June 14, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 10 (PDF; 1916KB)
June 7, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 9 (PDF; 2097KB)
May 31, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 8 (PDF; 1595KB)
May 24, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 7 (PDF; 2512KB)
May 10, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 6 (PDF; 2609KB)
April 26, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 5 (PDF; 2254KB)
April 1, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 4 (PDF; 2874KB)
March 1, 2017 Volumn 13 Issue 3 (PDF; 2185KB)
2016 VegEdge Newsletters
December 1, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 25 (PDF; 2392KB)
November 1, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 24 (PDF; 2050KB)
October 5, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 23 (PDF; 1435KB)
September 21, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 22 (PDF; 1954KB)
September 7, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 21 (PDF; 2301KB)
August 31, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 20 (PDF; 1872KB)
August 24, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 19 (PDF; 2390KB)
August 17, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 18 (PDF; 2374KB)
August 10, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 17 (PDF; 2193KB)
August 3, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 16 (PDF; 2099KB)
July 27, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 15 (PDF; 1836KB)
July 20, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 14 (PDF; 1875KB)
July 13, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 13 (PDF; 2153KB)
July 6, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 12 (PDF; 2023KB)
June 29, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 11 (PDF; 1808KB)
June 22, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 10 (PDF; 2387KB)
June 15, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 9 (PDF; 1991KB)
June 8, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 8 (PDF; 1988KB)
June 1, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 7 (PDF; 1618KB)
May 18, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 6 (PDF; 1409KB)
May 4, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 5 (PDF; 2050KB)
April 1, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 4 (PDF; 1546KB)
March 1, 2016 Volumn 12 Issue 3 (PDF; 1844KB)
2015 VegEdge Newsletters
December 1, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 25 (PDF; 1332KB)
November 1, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 24 (PDF; 1847KB)
October 1, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 23 (PDF; 1813KB)
September 16, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 22 (PDF; 2683KB)
September 2, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 21 (PDF; 1717KB)
August 26, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 20 (PDF; 1563KB)
August 19, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 19 (PDF; 1523KB)
August 12, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 18 (PDF; 1895KB)
August 5, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 17 (PDF; 2051KB)
July 29, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 16 (PDF; 1391KB)
July 22, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 15 (PDF; 1386KB)
July 15, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 14 (PDF; 1928KB)
July 8, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 13 (PDF; 1570KB)
July 1, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 12 (PDF; 1908KB)
June 24, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 11 (PDF; 1924KB)
June 17, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 10 (PDF; 1273KB)
June 10, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 9 (PDF; 1354KB)
June 3, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 8 (PDF; 1858KB)
May 27, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 7 (PDF; 1782KB)
May 13, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 6 (PDF; 1780KB)
April 29, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 5 (PDF; 1394KB)
April 1, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 4 (PDF; 1783KB)
March 1, 2015 Volumn 11 Issue 3 (PDF; 1523KB)
2014 VegEdge Newsletters
December 1, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 25 (PDF; 1789KB)
November 1, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 24 (PDF; 1597KB)
October 1, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 23 (PDF; 1567KB)
September 17, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 22 (PDF; 1844KB)
September 3, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 21 (PDF; 2169KB)
August 27, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 20 (PDF; 1569KB)
August 20, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 19 (PDF; 1936KB)
August 13, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 18 (PDF; 2203KB)
August 6, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 17 (PDF; 1553KB)
July 30, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 16 (PDF; 1447KB)
July 23, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 15 (PDF; 1524KB)
July 16, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 14 (PDF; 1469KB)
July 9, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 13 (PDF; 1476KB)
July 2, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 12 (PDF; 1609KB)
June 25, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 11 (PDF; 2007KB)
June 18, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 10 (PDF; 1563KB)
June 11, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 9 (PDF; 2359KB)
June 4, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 8 (PDF; 2347KB)
May 28, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 7 (PDF; 1577KB)
May 14, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 6 (PDF; 2021KB)
April 30, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 5 (PDF; 2063KB)
April 1, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 4 (PDF; 1484KB)
March 1, 2014 Volumn 10 Issue 3 (PDF; 1650KB)
2013 VegEdge Newsletters
December 1, 2013 Volumn 9 Issue 28 (PDF; 2251KB)
November 1, 2013 Volumn 9 Issue 27 (PDF; 2315KB)
October 1, 2013 Volumn 9 Issue 26 (PDF; 3155KB)
May 1, 2013 Volumn 9 Issue 5 (PDF; 2381KB)
April 1, 2013 Volumn 9 Issue 4 (PDF; 3059KB)
March 1, 2013 Volumn 9 Issue 3 (PDF; 2528KB)
2012 VegEdge Newsletters
December 1, 2012 Volumn 8 Issue 28 (PDF; 2515KB)
November 1, 2012 Volumn 8 Issue 27 (PDF; 2525KB)
October 1, 2012 Volumn 8 Issue 26 (PDF; 2394KB)
May 1, 2012 Volumn 8 Issue 5 (PDF; 2748KB)
April 1, 2012 Volumn 8 Issue 4 (PDF; 2481KB)
March 1, 2012 Volumn 8 Issue 3 (PDF; 2403KB)
2011 VegEdge Newsletters
December 1, 2011 Volumn 7 Issue 28 (PDF; 2102KB)
November 1, 2011 Volumn 7 Issue 27 (PDF; 1870KB)
October 1, 2011 Volumn 7 Issue 26 (PDF; 1899KB)
May 1, 2011 Volumn 7 Issue 5 (PDF; 2073KB)
April 1, 2011 Volumn 7 Issue 4 (PDF; 2934KB)
March 1, 2011 Volumn 7 Issue 3 (PDF; 2468KB)


Upcoming Events
Farm Food Safety Training with GAPs
April 1, 2025
Farmersville, NY
All produce farms want to grow safe food, right? Are your markets asking for food safety plans or audit certification? Do you want to understand produce safety issues? A way to do this is to learn and follow produce safety practices with Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).
Join Robert Hadad, Regional Vegetable Specialist with the Cornell Vegetable Program, and Lynn Bliven, Ag & Natural Resources Issue Leader from CCE Allegany County for this full day workshop on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and leave with information to start a food safety plan for YOUR farm!
Announcements
Community Gardens Soil Testing Program
Soil testing supports the growth and expansion of community gardens by protecting the health and safety of the food produced in these gardens. CCE Harvest NY, in partnership with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets (AGM) and the Cornell Soil Health Lab, is offering eligible, food-producing gardens in New York State the opportunity to send soil samples for testing without charge.The soil test will analyze samples for heavy metals and nutrient levels. Test results help gardeners make appropriate plans to produce high quality fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Technical support and education for participating growers will be provided by the CCE Harvest New York team. Learn more about the 2025 Community Gardens Soil Testing Program.
Winter Cover Cropping in High Tunnels
Cornell Cooperative Extension is researching cover crops for high tunnel growers to better manage fertility and improve soil health. Our work has shown that winter cover cropping in high tunnels has the potential to add organic matter, improve soil structure, support microbial activity, and help with nutrient management by scavenging leftover nitrogen and/or fixing nitrogen. This publication, Management Practices for High Organic Matter Soils: Winter Cover Cropping in High Tunnels, shares best practices for winter cover cropping in high tunnels including species selection, planting rates and dates, termination, and cultural management considerations.Laser Scarecrows to Deter Birds in Sweet Corn
Are you considering the use of a laser scarecrow to deter birds on your farm? Cornell Cooperative Extension and the University of Rhode Island teamed up to test a research laser scarecrow on sweet corn farms.A laser scarecrow is a device that has one or more laser modules connected to motors. The specifications of the lasers are optimized to the color and motion sensitivity of bird's eyes. When laser beams move across a field, birds become frightened and attempt to move away from the perceived threat. Light from the laser covers an area quickly and moves through the canopy without causing injury to the crop. Research demonstrates that birds do not readily become habituated to the laser.
A laser scarecrow used as the sole deterrent typically results in a significant reduction in crop damage. Combined with an auditory device, damage can be reduced even more. When used as part of an integrated management program for bird control that utilizes habitat management and multiple scare tactics, laser scarecrows can be useful tools for growers of multiple crops. All scare tactics must be deployed before birds find the field. The effectiveness of lasers depends on multiple factors such as bird species, bird populations, habitat and food availability. Lasers are not effective at deterring deer, racoons, coyotes or other mammals.
To learn more, the Laser Scarecrows to Deter Birds in Sweet Corn and Other High-Value Agricultural Crops fact sheet provides background information, research data, FAQs, and Advantages/Limitations on laser scarecrows.
NY Urban Farms Pest Management Fact Sheet Series
Cornell Cooperative Extension has partnered with dozens of urban farms across New York State to demonstrate and evaluate sustainable pest management strategies. Together with farmers, we found success using control methods that prevent or reduce crop losses through exclusion strategies, crop timing, host resistance, the introduction of beneficial organisms, and more. Regardless of management strategy used, common requirements for success include a knowledge of the pest and disease complex, preventative deployment and commitment to the process. The New York Urban Farms Sustainable Pest Management Fact Sheet Series includes case studies highlighting pest management techniques that New York urban farms have found valuable.NYS Urban Growers Pest Management Needs Assessment
As part of a multi-year project exploring non-spray pest management options that are economically and environmentally sustainable for urban farms, we conducted a needs assessment with urban growers across New York State. The New York State Urban Growers Pest Management Needs Assessment presents findings on current pest management practices, challenges, and topics of future interest.If you have a disability and are having trouble accessing information on this website or need materials in an alternate format, contact web-accessibility contact for assistance.
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