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Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
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Southwest Florida Vegetable Newsletter
May / June 2001
July 11-13, 2001
Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association Annual Meeting
Four Seasons Resort, Palm Beach, Florida
Contact Amy Pappas, Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemcial Association at
863-293-4827 or
ffaa9326@aol.com
July 18-2, 2001
National Onion Association Summer Convention
Casa Munras Garden Hotel, Monterey, CA
Contact Monna Canaday, National Onion Association at 970-353-5895
July 22-25, 2001
American Society for Horticultural Sciences Annual Meeting
Sacramento, CA.
Sept. 4 -5, 2001
Florida Tomato Institute
Ritz Carlton, Naples, Florida.
Contact Phyllis Gilreath for program information at 941-722-4524.
Sept. 23-25, 2001
Annual Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association Convention
Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida
Contact Charlie Matthews or Rachelle Lucas at FFVA, 407-894-1351
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Gene McAvoy
Vegetable Extension Agent II Hendry County Extension Office PO Box 68 LaBelle, Florida, 33975 863-674-4092 |
The drought has highlighted an issue that will certainly become a major concern of growers in southwest Florida and throughout the state - water. Water availability and quality promise to become critical concerns in the coming decade. As the state’s population burgeons and urban areas grow and develop and look for new water sources, the controversy and potential for conflict over water will certainly increase. In addition, increasing environmental concerns and efforts to preserve and restore the Everglades and other natural areas, will focus attention on the quality of water leaving agricultural areas.
Both of these issues as well as the increasing degradation of Florida’s aquifers and decreased water quality in terms of dissolved salts threatens agricultural producers access to irrigation water of acceptable quality and quantity. This issue will not go away and will certainly become an increasing critical concern to the vegetable industry and indeed all agricultural interests in Florida.
Although a number of groups are currently conducting and funding research into differing aspects of the water issue, much of this research is focused on areas that may not be beneficial to growers and in some cases may actually be somewhat biased against agriculture.
The source of funding of research and the use of research funds as a means to promote social and environmental policy is another area that growers should concern themselves with. As traditional sources of funding for agricultural research has dwindled and become more competitive, special interest groups have stepped into the breach providing large amounts of cash to fund research into specific areas of investigation.
Cash strapped research faculty at IFAS and other institutions faced with the prospects of publish or perish often have no choice but to pursue lines of investigation that may not coincide with the needs of growers. The citrus industry has recognized this conundrum and has a long established tradition of funding research of critical interest to citrus producers.
A group of progressive vegetable growers and industry partners in southwest Florida has recognized this necessity and established the Southwest Florida Vegetable Research Investment Fund in June 2000. Although only a year old, the fund has funded two important and critical studies of potential methyl bromide alternatives on behalf of members. It is essential to the entire industry that this initiative succeed and expand it’s efforts on behalf of vegetable producers. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining this team effort to fund critical vegetable research. If you don’t look after your interest and indeed your future - who will?
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Imagine a tractor steering itself with an accuracy of two inches or less. And then being able to pinpoint the exact location of each row the next time you work the field. The promises of precision farming are becoming reality for vegetable growers who are using new steering systems guided by global positioning system (GPS) technology.
Three manufacturers introduced GPS tractor guidance systems in 2000, and another began marketing a precision navigation system for row crops early this year.
While the systems’ hardware and software components vary, they consist of an on-board computer that steers a tractor using an on-board GPS receiver capable of Real Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning. RTK uses either, a fixed or mobile GPS receiver and radio unit to transmit data to the tractor’s radio and receiver, resulting in a position accurate to within centimeters. The navigation system allows an operator to work at night or in foggy or dusty conditions, and frees the operator to monitor other operations while the tractor moves along the row.
Boosting Efficiency And Productivity
Listing beds is one of the most obvious applications for vegetable crops, says John Inman, professional engineer and farm adviser emeritus with the Monterey County Agricultural Extension Service. “Even on big wide pieces of tillage equipment, operators tend to overlap more than they should,” he says. Growers in the San Joaquin Valley are seeing a 3% to 5% increase in productivity just by minimizing this overlap.
Precision steering will also make buried drip tape more popular, he says. Some growers have abandoned the practice because it’s difficult to keep seed lines centered on the tape.
Precision steering systems store field data to a memory card or to the on-board computer, allowing a tractor operator to navigate along the same rows each time he works the field. This guarantees that drip lines won’t be damaged, and chemicals will be placed right where they’re needed. Precisions placement of the drip lines optimizes water use, and precision cultivation is another plus for vegetable growers, who don’t have many herbicide options available, says Inman.
Marketing Straight Row Technology
Although these systems cost between $40,000 and $60,000 their manufacturers aren’t targeting only large-acreage operations. Smaller acreages of high-value vegetable crops can justify the purchase price, too. Some growers have sold their neighbors on the benefits of straight rows and are performing field operations for them on a contract basis. Commercial applicators are also interested in this precision equipment.
Vegetables (including potatoes), sugar beets, and cotton are the major target markets for these systems, which are designed to work with a variety of tractors with hydraulic or electronic steering systems.
Meet The Manufactures
The Trimble AgGPS Autopilot consists of a Trimble GPS navigation controller, an AgGPS 214 RTK receiver, in-cab terminal, lightbar, and AgGPS 70 Remote Display and Logger. The Autopilot’s bilingual display can be configured in the field in English or Spanish. The system is accurate to within 1 inch. Trimble will market the Autopilot to row crop producers and commercial applicators, says Erik Arvesen, market segment manager for Trimble’s Agriculture Division, Sunnyvale, CA.
AutoFarm, a division of IntegriNautics Crop., Menlo Park, CA, is an outgrowth of aviation research conducted at Stanford University. Its GPS 5001 steering system uses technology developed to land a plane in zero visibility conditions. AutoFarm currently has about 40 systems operating in California and Arizona.
The AutoFarm system, which is accurate to less than 1 inch, employs three GPS roof antennae to measure a tractor’s roll, pitch, and yaw, explains director of manufacturing Lars Leckie. “Although the technology is complex, operators find the system simple and easy to use,” he adds. Menus on the color touch-screen are in English or Spanish. Adjustments are made by touching a “nudge” control makes adjustments.
AutoFarm’s GPS receiver can be portable or fixed in a field, and one station supports multiple tractors.
Clay Nordman of CalAgra Farms in Merced, CA, has been using the AutoFarm system for 1½ years. In addition to working CalAgra’s vegetable and cotton fields, he does a lot of contract work for neighboring farms. “The operator can spend all his time observing the job and the implement he’s using. He can see problems develop and adjust them,” he says.
Repeatability is a key benefit of precision steering, emphasizes Brock Taylor of Beeline Navigation, Inc. You can come back to the same row and perform a series of operations—listing, planting, cultivating, and spraying—and know you’re in the same position each time. The Fresno-based company began selling its Beeline Navigator system to California growers in June 2000, after first introducing it in Australia.
The Beeline Navigator, which is accurate to ¾ inch, can be moved from one tractor to another if the second one is equipped with an extra cab fit-out, says Taylor. The Beeline system is compatible with more than 40 tractor models.
Satloc, which specializes in GPS-based guidance systems for air and ground applications, is now offering a precision GPS system with an accuracy of 1 or 2 inches. The RTK system is more precise than the company’s standard differential GPS that runs with Coast Guard, OmniStar, or WAAS signals, says Maurice Engler, ground systems manager. The Satloc system includes a portable reference station that’s placed in the field.
The Scottsdale, AZ, company is marketing its precision steering system to larger growers and custom applicators in the vegetable, cotton, sugar beet, and other specialty row crop markets.
Richard Johnson, manager of South Platte Farms in Greeley, CO, compares precision steering to properly laying the foundation of a building. If the rows are straight and drip lines are placed precisely, every other field operation goes smoothly. “Precision steering has proved to be the most valuable tool we can have for our drip irrigation system,” he says. “Without it, the longevity of the system and its correct operation are greatly compromised.”
Rick Blankenship, vice president of farming operations at Woolf Enterprises in Huron, CA, agrees. He estimates that the Beeline Navigator will increase the life of their drip tape from 5 to 10 years.
Custom applicators or contractors are likely to embrace the technology, too, especially when their customers see the benefits, says Inman. Some applicators may claim that they can’t pass the cost on to their customers, but they will be able to recoup the cost through increased productivity. “The guidance systems work as well at the end of a 10-hour day as at the beginning,” says Inman.
Stella Naegely
American Vegetable Grower
May 2001
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In our search for new decay control measures and options that will make our food safer, we can't afford to ig nore any new prospect, no matter how strange it may seem. Putting a little spice in your life may be more beneficial than you ever thought it could be.
Most of us cook with spices because we like the flavors. Recently, however, researchers have begun to explain why many spices are good for us in ways that may have been recognized, but not well understood, since ancient times.
The flavorful components in spices are compounds that plants produce, as far as we know, just to protect themselves from natural enemies like fungi and bacteria. These microbes that attack spice plants often are the same ones that can make us sick or cause our fruits and vegetables to decay. What a great idea to utilize naturally occurring plant extracts to make our food safer or to extend the shelf life of fresh produce.
Antimicrobial Properties Of Spices
Researchers began their literature review in the logical place: cookbooks. A study of 107 cookbooks from 36 countries revealed information on the use of 42 spices, 30 of which had some known anti-bacterial properties. The four most powerful-garlic, onion, allspice, and oregano-killed every bacterial species tested. Now, don't get the idea that you can just add a bit of spice to bad food and make it safe to eat. The data had a lot of variability due to differing extraction methods, concentrations tested, methods of defining bacterial inhibition, and other factors that are difficult to standardize with laboratory techniques. But there is a pretty convincing argument that spices could provide a new generation of antimicrobial compounds.
Other historical evidence supports this conclusion. For example, spices were most commonly used in warmer climates where food would be expected to spoil more quickly, and in some literature, there is evidence to suggest that potent human pathogens like salmonella and staphylococcus species are killed or inhibited by spices.
Mankind has used plants for medicines in so many ways that we have yet to document. Perhaps the flavorful addition of spices to foods is just a bonus that comes with the medicinal properties that our ancestors recognized long ago.
Back To Reality
It's nice to imagine that nature may have provided us with some simple, practical solutions to our 21st century problems, but we have to be realistic. After all, we probably wouldn't want to use an oregano extract for decay control of apples if the fruit were going to taste like oregano. Likewise, we probably wouldn't want to consider garlic as a food safety treatment for a fresh-cut salad, although the idea actually would appeal to many of us garlic lovers.
Research will have to take us beyond the flavor qualities of spices to the basic chemistry of the compounds. It's not so unreasonable to imagine that certain components of spice extracts, possibly compounds with no detectable flavor, are really the constituents that are active against microbes. We still have to purify, analyze, and test those compounds against specific microorganisms that impact the quality of our health, and our fresh produce.
The adage about "two birds with one stone" may well apply to the issues of decay control and food safety. When we teach the principles of safety for fresh produce, we always try to emphasize the fact that practices that help ensure the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables often help reduce decay and thus improve quality and profitability. Food safety is common sense, and it's good business.
The idea of somehow serving two purposes with naturally occurring plant extracts should appeal to consumers as well as to the regulatory agencies that must approve any new chemical for use on fruits and vegetables. For a more detailed discussion of spices and their antimicrobial properties, refer to the March-April 2001 issue of American Scientist.
American Vegetable Grower
June 2001
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The IR-4 program provides the resources to conduct the research necessary to bring new pest management alternatives to minor crops. In the past, the program has focused on food crops, but ornamentals now receive IR-4 support as well. In the past year, IR-4 has helped bring azoxystrobin fungicide to leafy Brassica vegetables, clomazone herbicide to cucurbits, fenbuconazole fungicide to blueberries, and many others. Overall, 162 new tolerances were established that support 511 new minor uses that can be added to pesticide labels. IR-4 also helped obtain more than 1000 new ornamental use registrations. Finally, IR-4 data supported 58 biopesticide clearances, including cinnamaldehyde (mite/powdery mildew control), chitosan (powdery mildew), harpin protein (diease control), and MilsanaTM (powdery mildew).
If your ability to produce a marketable minor crop is threatened by a lack of pest management tools, get involved with IR-4. Visit their website at www.cook.rutgers.edu/~ir4. You will need to work with other growers to establish needs and potential solutions, such as pesticides already registered on other crops. You will also need to contact the Florida IR-4 coordinator, Dr. Jim Gilreath.
The Georgia Pest Management Newsletter
June 2001
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Shoppers |
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For years consumers struggled to fit the large round fruit in their refrigerators.
And then there was the problem of trying to cut the fruit when it kept rolling around.
But 20 years ago a forward-thinking farmer on Japan’s south-western island of Shikoku solved the problem.
The farmer, from Zentsuji in Kagawa prefecture, came up with the idea of making a cube-shaped watermelon which could easily be packed and stored.
Fashion food
To make it happen, farmers grew the melons in glass boxes and the fruit then naturally assumed the same shape. Today the cuboid watermelons are hand-picked and shipped all over Japan.
But the fruit, on sale in a selection of department stores and up market supermarkets, appeals mainly to the wealthy and fashion-conscious of Tokyo and Osaka, Japan’s two major cities.
Each melon sells for 10,000 yen, equivalent to about $83. It is almost double, or even triple, that of a normal watermelon.
“I can’t buy it, it is too expensive,” said a woman browsing at a department store in the southern city of Takamatsu.
BBC News/ASIA-PACIFIC/
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FEEDING HUNGRY PEOPLE
Farm Share a nonprofit organization, serves as a link between farmers with surplus produce and social service agencies that provide food to needy people. Based in Florida City, FL, Farm Share uses local volunteers to work with farmers throughout the U.S. to recover fruits and vegetables considered unsuitable for the retail market due to size and minor blemishes. For more information, call 888-749-3276 or visit www.farmshare.org.
IR-4 ASKS FOR INCREASED FUNDING The IR-4 Project is requesting a budget increase to allow for a program expansion. The organization is asking USDA for a $5 million increase over the next two years. The funds will benefit research, which focuses on reduced-risk pest control products. “The money will be used to enhance the transition of lower- and reduced- risk projects and provide more support for our ornamental and biopesticide research programs,” says Daniel Kunkel, registration manager at IR-4. About 80% of the organization’s ongoing minor-crop projects involve reduced- or lower-risk products.
American Vegetable Growers
June 2001
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The introduction of new materials in the market is also encouraging. Spinosads, azoxystrobins, and avermectins became leading products shortly after their introduction. It seems like yesterday that we entomolgists were bemoaning the fact that no new chemistries for pest management were being discovered. Other new products are hitting the market each year. Promising new nematicides, insecticides, and fungicides are expected on the market within the next few years.
The Georgia Pest Management Newsletter
June 2001
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True or False?
Answer: False: Decontamination kits are required at sprayer fill/mix stations and chemical storage facilities. It is up to the grower to decide if kits should be included on the spray machines and in other parts of the property.
Decontamination kits should include: a clean spray suit, a roll of single use paper towels and a bar of soap.
Spray Safe.
Spray Tips 6/2001
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A Work in Progress |
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There is considerable data to show that increased organic matter in soils facilitates nutrient availability for crops and, in some cases, can reduce nitrate leaching. This is particularly important in those areas where ground water is used for domestic purposes. Furthermore, food safety issues have led fresh vegetable growers to discontinue the use of raw, even aged, livestock manures.
Know What You’re Getting
Compost production has increased in many areas and a wide range of materials are now being composted. To this point, however, there have been no standards available to evaluate compost quality. A few years ago, ground-up raw lawn and garden waste was being directly applied to some orchards as an experiment and the material was referred to by some people as compost. Situations like this give compost a bad reputation.
The problem, then involves making sure growers can be certain they are buying a high-quality compost instead of one that could, in some cases, actually cause crop damage. Partly composted material may contain high amounts of free ammonia, organic acids, or other water-soluble compounds which can reduce seed germination and inhibit root growth. Compost results from the controlled aerobic decomposition of raw organic material. At the end of this process it should be a stabilized material with no phytotxic potential or components, and will not negatively effect nutrient availability.
Classifying Compost
This project began when the California Compost Quality Council, with funding support from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, asked Buchanan to facilitate a committee of compost experts including quantitative chemist from commercial soil and compost laboratories. The charge of this group was to first define, and then develop, procedures that would be able to determine mature composts.
The task facing Buchanan and his committee was to come up with appropriate tests to determine if a particular lot of compost met the criteria. Any tests must be reliable, easy, rapid, and economical if they are to be accepted by the compost industry. Furthermore, they must work with composts produced from all types of waste materials and with many different composting processes.
The committee developed three maturity categories
for compost with associated characteristics. “Very Mature” is a well-cured
compost with no continuing decomposition, no odors, and no potential toxicity.
“Mature” compost is cured compost with little odor production, limited
toxicity potential, and minimal impacts on soil nitrogen. “Immature”
compost is uncured, and odors are likely. The material has high toxic
potential and significant impact on soil nitrogen, as uncured compost ties
up nitrogen, making it unavailable to crops. The ground-up green
waste I mentioned earlier was obviously in this latter category.
Next column, I’ll talk about the use of
these categories of composts and the test used to determine the category
in which a compost belongs.
American Vegetable Grower
June 2001
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P. R. Gilreath, Extension Agent,
Manatee County
Vegetarian 5/2001
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Phosphorus is a primary plant nutrient involved in vital plant biochemical reactions. In the 1990s about 2 million tons per year of P fertilizer was applied to cropland in the United States. Phosporus is also added to feed to improve animal performance. Much of this P ends up in manure that is applied to land near the animal feeding operation. Thus, concentrated animal feeding operations may become enriched in P because it is imported in the feed, but the manure is not exported out.
Phosphorus build-up in soils has been recognized nationwide through agronomic soil testing, especially where animal manure has been repeatedly applied. The P concentration in manured croplands far exceeds that needed for optimum crop production. Since P can be a pollutant if it moves off site, there are concerns about the number of soils testing high or very high in P, especially if they are close to important surface water bodies. More than 60% of soils tested by the University of Florida Extension Soil Testing Lab have been rated “high” in phosphorus.
Phorsphorus that moves from agricultural fields to surface water can enrich the water with P and cause eutrophication. In natural water bodies, lack of P usually limits the growth of algae, so P enrichment can stimulate growth. Excessive algae settle to the bottom when they die, the water body gradually fills with organic sediment, and oxygen in the water is depleted. The results of P enrichment can be increased water purification cost, periodic fish kills, change of fish species, increase in aquatic weeds, and reduced water depths. Unfortunately, there are no clear guidelines regarding the total or dissolved P concentration in runoff that will induce eutrophication.
Phosphorus in soil can exist in natural minerals, commercial fertilizers, organic wastes, or plant residues. The two main ways that P can be transported off site are surface runoff (erosion) of soil and organic particles containing solid P compounds, and leaching of water-soluble P. Surface runoff is considered the most important P transport mechanism in most states, while leaching is important in soils with large accumulations of P or in soils that do not have the capacity to hold P. Can soil testing be used to determine the amount of P that might move off site? The soil test methods used today were developed for agronomic purposes, so controversy exists about using them for environmental assessment. Research has been underway for several years to develop true environmental P soil tests.
Can sandy soils hold phosphorus? In Florida, some soils are much better than others at holding P. The key to a sandy soil’s ability to hold P and prevent it from leaching is related to coatings on sand grains. A soil containing sand grains that are coated with iron or aluminum compounds has a much greater capacity to hold P than a soil containing non-coated (also referred to as “stripped”) sands. The type of sand that a particular soil contains can be qualitatively identified by soil color. Coated sand grains usually have a red, orange, or brown tint, while stripped sands are white. In addition, country soil surveys contain soil classification information that indicates whether specific soil series have been identified as having coated or non-coated sand grains.
Practices to minimize soil and organic matter erosion should be implemented to prevent movement of particulate P off site. A cursory evaluation of soil color can indicate presence or absence of coated sand grains. If P fertilizer has been applied to a field on a regular basis, increases in an agronomic P soil test with time would indicate that the soil has some ability to hold the fertilizer. Soils that test high or very high in P should not receive P fertilizer, and P should be judiciously used on soils that have been identified to have low P-holding capacity.
Thomas Obreza
Citrus & Vegetable Magazine
May 2001
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Herbicide for Vegetables |
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Vegetable crops included in the new label are beets, carrots, celery, cantaloupe, cucumber, pumpkins, squash, eggplant, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers and radishes.
Application rate of Select for annual grasses is 6 to 8 fluid ounces per acre. In perennial grasses, Select can be applied at 8 to 16 fluid ounces per acre.
For more information, contact 800-682-5368 or Web site: www.valent.com
Citrus & Vegetable Magazine
May 2001
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The Georgia Pest Management
Newsletter
June 2001
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The idea behind vif materials is not to serve as a replacement for methyl bromide but to allow growers to utilize reduced rates of methyl bromide or other fumigants while obtaining the efficacy they have come to expect with methyl bromide. Research to date indicates that most of the vif's have at least one major shortcoming in that they are difficult to lay on the raised beds we typically use in vegetable culture in FL and most of the SE. The difficulty lies in their tendency to rip or shear linearly or in the lengthwise direction. Some vif's have a vinyl center layer, or other impervious material, and other materials are then layered over this, Since it cannot be embossed, vif does not stretch well like ldpe (low density polyethylene mulch the standard mulch film most growers use) and that causes the problem with rips because we try to stretch it tightly across the bed. The best vif that Jim has worked with is a product made by Plastopil in Israel, but availability has been a problem, as they will not export the film to the U.S. for some reason.
Currently, work is underway with a vif made by Klerk's Plastics and sold under the trade name Hytibar. So far, results with this product have been promising. The newest vif material from Klerk's is reportedly somewhat more flexible and therefore easier to lay than last year's material. Growers report that in most cases some modification of equipment, such as removing the weights on press wheels and reducing roller tension, may be required. Also, the speed of the plastic layer will probably have to be reduced. The vifs are not completely impervious to methyl bromide, but they are more impervious than Idpe; thus, they retain the gas longer so it is more effective. Using vif, nutsedge control has been obtained with 88 lbs/acre of methyl bromide / chloropicrin (67/33%) that was equal to that obtained with 350 lbs/acre with standard ldpe. These results have been fairly consistent.
In more recent work, a slight reduction in plant growth early in the season was noted with the vif at all methyl bromide rates, but nutsedge control was excellent and may be a fair trade off. This is the first time this slight reduction in growth has been seen, It may be that due to longer retention of the fumigant by the vif, a longer waiting period should have been observed between fumigation and planting. Several trials were placed with growers last fall on tomato and in each case 175 lbs/acre of methyl bromide with vif was compared with 350 lbs with ldpe. In each trial weed control and yield were similar to what was obtained with the standard rate of methyl bromide and Idpe.
At this point, vif may be an intermediate, short-term solution for those who are highly dependent upon methyl bromide for their soil borne pest control - such as for crops where fewer herbicide alternatives are available. It may be particularly useful for those blocks where nutsedge pressure is higher, leaving the alternatives for use in other blocks while application techniques are fine-tuned. It may not be a long-term answer but for the short term it may allow growers to stretch their methyl bromide supply while maintaining the level of pest control, which they have come to expect.
P. R. Gilreath and J. P. Gilreath,
GCREC-Bradenton
Vegetarian 01-05
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Manatee Vegetable Newsletter
May/June 2001
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Southeast | Southeast | Southeast | Southeast |
| Dollars Per Ton | Dollars Per Ton | Dollars Per Ton | Dollars Per Ton | |
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1997
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1998
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1999
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2000
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| 0-20-20 |
$174.00
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$184.00
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$191.00
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$181.00
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| 5-10-10 |
$152.00
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$146.00
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$148.00
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$147.00
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| 5-10-15 |
$157.00
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$167.00
|
$171.00
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$170.00
|
| 5-10-30 |
$174.00
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$177.00
|
$184.00
|
$184.00
|
| 6-6-6 |
$178.00
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$188.00
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$197.00
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$215.00
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| 6-6-18 |
$193.00
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$214.00
|
$209.00
|
$213.00
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| 8-8-8 |
$160.00
|
$155.00
|
$159.00
|
$173.00
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| 10-10-10 |
$179.00
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$179.00
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$178.00
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$186.00
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| 10-20-20 |
$221.00
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$217.00
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$217.00
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$216.00
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| 16-4-8 |
$230.00
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$236.00
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$228.00
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$237.00
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| 17-17-17 |
$232.00
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$221.00
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$217.00
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$232.00
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| 18-46-0 (DAP) |
$278.00
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$274.00
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$263.00
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$244.00
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| Ammonium Nitrate |
$242.00
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$222.00
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$210.00
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$280.00
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| Anhydrous Ammonia |
$309.00
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$252.00
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$213.00
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$373.00
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| Limestone, Soread |
$ 26.30
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$ 27.10
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$ 26.20
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$ 27.90
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| Murate of Potash 60-62%K2/0 |
$166.00
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$180.00
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$180.00
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$185.00
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| Nitrate of Soda |
$265.00
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$264.00
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$263.00
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$274.00
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| Nitrogen Solutions
30% N |
$158.00
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$133.00
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$127.00
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$184.00
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| Nitrogen Solutions
32% N |
$160.00
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$144.00
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$130.00
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$186.00
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| Superphosphate 44-46% P2/05 |
$268.00
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$267.00
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$256.00
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$244.00
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Following is an annotated list of web sites relating to planning, building and producing vegetables in greenhouses. As new sites appear continually, this is not intended as an exhaustive list. The state of origin for the information is listed so that it can be viewed in its environmental context.
Florida Greenhouse Production Information
Protected Agriculture page from the Horticultural
Sciences Department
http://www.hos.ufl.edu/ProtectedAg/
North Florida Research and Education Center webpage
on greenhouse and hydroponic production
http://nfrec-sv.ifas.ufl.edu/gh_&_hydroponics.htm
EDIS publications (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu) include:
Creating a master plan for a greenhouse
operation (NJ)
http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/pubs/pdfs/e221.pdf
Basic questions to ask when starting a
greenhouse business (AR)
http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-6051.pdf
Estimating income potential of a greenhouse
operation (AR)
http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-6052.pdf
Detailed overview of considerations in
starting a greenhouse business (AL)
http://www.aces.edu/department/extcomm/publications/anr/ANR-691/pdf/anr-691.pdf
Marketing
Evaluating a marketing plan (TX)
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/greenhouse/econ/chmkt.html
Greenhouse Structures
Considerations in building a greenhouse
(WV)
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/greenhou/building.htm
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/greenhou/grencons.htm
Greenhouse Coverings
Choosing a covering material based on light
transmission (NJ)
http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~ccea/gh-cover.pdf
Environmental Control for Greenhouses
Overview of factors relating to environmental
control (MS)
http://msucares.com/pubs/pub1879.htm\
Water and Nutrient Management
Greenhouse management handbook (TX)
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/greenhouse/guides/green/green.html
Overview on irrigation and fertilization
(NC)
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/greenhouse_veg/waterfert.html
Water quality measurement for greenhouse
production (AL)
http://www.aces.edu/department/extcomm/publications/anr/anr-1158/anr-1158.html
Spreadsheet for fertilizer injection (MS)
http://www.mafes.msstate.edu/pubs/bulletins/b1003.htm
Growing Media
Descriptions of media available and their
characteristics (written for nursery crops but applicable to greenhouse
vegetables) (AR)
http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-6097.pdf
http://www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-6098.pdf
Pest Management
Weed control
http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/pesticid/publications/GreenH/gpm-9.htm#Section11
(ND)
http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~Floriculture/publications/dirweed1.htm
(NJ)
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-570.html
(NC)
http://www.umass.edu/umext/programs/agro/floriculture/floral_facts/ghweeds.htm
(MS)
Disease control
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agcollege/plantpathology/PPAExten/PPFShtml/ppfsgh1.htm
(KY)
Insect control (including biocontrol)
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG6682.html
(MN)
http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/biocontrol/2a.htm (NC)
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Vegetables/veg17.html
(NC)
Crop Specific Information
Tomato
http://ohioline.ag.ohio-state.edu/b672/b672_34.html
(OH)
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/HORT2/MF2074.PDF
(KS)
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/greenhouse_veg/gtp_outline.html
(NC)
http://res2.agr.ca/harrow/bk/tom-toc.htm (Ontario)
http://msucares.com/pubs/p2257.html (MS)
http://msucares.com/pubs/pub1828.htm (MS)
http://ag.arizona.edu/hydroponictomatoes/index.htm
(AZ)
Cucumber
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/HORT2/MF2075.PDF
(KS)
http://res2.agr.ca/harrow/bk2/cuke-toc.htm (Ontario)
Lettuce
http://www.cals.cornell.edu/dept/flori/lettuce/index.html
(NY)
Organic Greenhouse Production
www.attra.org/attra-pub/ghveg.html (AR)
http://www4.ncsu.edu:8030/~jfmiles/ (NC)
Other Information
Organizations, conferences and suppliers
http://www.cals.cornell.edu/dept/flori/facts1.html
List of resources
www.attra.org/attra-pub/ghwebRL.html
List of references
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-32-a.html
Greenhouse software programs
http://res2.agr.ca/harrow/software/software.htm
Decision support system for integrated
crop management of greenhouse vegetables
http://res2.agr.ca/harrow/hgcm/hgcm.htm
(Lamb, - Vegetarian 01-06)
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For more information contact Eugene Tolar at 941-860-8551.
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In order to successfully introduce a new specialty crop like Beit Alphas, consideration must be given to developing market demand and understanding postharvest handling parameters. Important aspects of developing market demand includeconsumer preferences (e.g., color, size, flavor) and buyer preferences (e.g., package size and weight). Key postharvest information is lacking that would allow commercial growers to successfully ship Beit Alphas to desired markets. Desirable quality parameters include firm texture, shiny, dark-green skin color, and freedom from shrivel, and mechanical injuries (abrasions, cuts, bruises). Therefore, shippers must know optimal storage conditions and cooling method, mechanical properties (resistance to compression, vibration), packaging types and threshold susceptibility to ethylene exposure. Other postharvest treatments, such as coatings, hot water immersion, and controlled/modified atmosphere storage, may also significantly extend product quality.
Recent observations of Beit Alphas at retail level showed preventable quality losses, indicating the need for information on proper handling of this new crop. Slicing-type cucumbers can be safely stored at 50 to 55oF (10 to 13oC) for 10 to 14 days, depending on cultivar (Hardenburg, et al., 1986). To minimize moisture loss and shrivel field-grown slicing cucumbers are usually coated with wax, while Dutch greenhouse-grown types are shrink-wrapped with plastic film.
This spring we performed preliminary postharvest tests with Beit Alpha cucumbers from both research sites and a commercial greenhouse operation. Panelists in our sensory evaluations commented that the flavor was excellent. At harvest, small-diameter fruits (3/4 inch; 22 mm) were consistently firmer (from 1 to 2 Newtons) and had a noticeably crisper texture than larger-diameter fruits (1 1/4 inch; 29 mm). This indicates that smaller cucumbers may be less susceptible to mechanical injuries during handling and shipping. ‘Sarig’ cucumbers stored at 50oF (10oC) and 95% relative humidity maintained high quality for more than 14 days (Fig. 2). After 5 days storage, uncovered cucumbers lost about 50% more fresh weight than those loosely covered with plastic film. Both ‘Sarig’ and ‘Alexander’ cultivars developed chilling-injury symptoms after 7 days storage at 45.5oF (7.5oC) or 41oF (5oC). Other tests are currently underway to determine the effectiveness of waxes and shipping containers including hinged, rigid containers (clamshells).
Crops grown under protected culture can become inoculated by decay pathogens. Sources of inoculum include nearby cull piles - diseased plants and fruits should never be discarded near the greenhouse (Fig. 3). In these tests, sclerotinia rot (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) appeared on sound, ‘Sarig’ cucumbers following 7 days storage at 50oF (10oC) (Fig. 4). Although considered a minor problem in field production of cucurbits, the growth of this aggressive rot during cold storage shows the need for preventative control measures in the greenhouse.
Cross-contamination of fresh produce by human pathogens is also a serious threat to consumers, with reliable estimates in the U.S.A. indicating that a small, but increasing percent of foodborne illness is attributable to consumption of fresh produce. Production of vegetables in greenhouse structures holds potential for reducing the risk of foodborne illness by isolating the plants from potential environmental contamination. Employees should be instructed in proper hand washing and other sanitary techniques to avoid cross-contamination during harvest and handling.
For Further Information:
Hardenburg, R.E., A.E. Watada and C.Y. Wang. 1986. The commercial storage of fruits, vegetables, and florist and nursery stocks. U.S. Dept. Agric. Handbook 66. Washington DC.
Shaw, N.L., D.J. Cantliffe, J.C. Rodriguez, S. Taylor and D.M Spencer. 2001. Beit alpha cucumber - an exciting new greenhouse crop. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 113:247-253.
Authors:
Steven A. Sargent,
Suzanne C. Stapleton, Multi-county extension
agent-marketing, NFREC-Suwannee Valley
Abbie J. Fox, Senior Biological Scientist, Horticultural
Sciences Dept.
Vegetarian Newsletter
June 2001
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Its are said to be easier for customers to find; the catalog is easier to distribute, and best of all, it’s computer friendly. The TeeJet Buyers’ Guide is available for download in acrobat PDF format from their Web site at www.teejet.com.
All of TeeJet’s charts, reference tables and sprayer calibration tips have been included, making it a valuable source of information for everyone who deals with spray applications.
The full product catalog is still available on-line at www.teejet.com in PDF format and can be used by those who need less common components from the extensive TeeJet product line.
The new buyer’s guide will be updated annually and be available to all current customers. For those wanting a copy by mail, send a request to TeeJet, PO Box 7900, Wheaton, IL 60189-7900
TeeJet and Spraying Systems are registered trademarks of Spraying Systems Co. Acrobat is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Citurs & Vegetable Magazine
May 2001
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The worldwide crusade to ban the pesticide DDT is a classic example. This crusade was begun by the much revered Rachel Carson, whose best-selling book “Silent Spring” was based on the premise that DDT adverse effects on the eggs of song birds would end up wiping out these species. After that, springtime would no longer be marked by birds singing; hence the silent spring.
Rachel Carson and the environmentalist she inspired have succeeded in getting DDT banned in country after country, for which they have received the accolades of many, not least their own accolades. But in terms of the actual consequences of that crusade, there has not been a mass murderer executed in the past half-century who has been responsible for as many deaths of human beings as the sainted Rachel Carson. The banning of DDT has led to a huge resurgence of malaria in the Third World, with deaths rising into the millions.
This pioneer of the environmental movement has not been judged by such consequences, but by the inspiring goals and political success of the movement she spawned. Still less are the environmentalists held responsible for the blackouts plaguing California in the past year or the more frequent blackouts and more disastrous economic consequences that can be expected in the years ahead, despite the key role of environmental extremists in preventing power plants from being built.
Thomas Sowell
The News Press
Monday June 11, 2001
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The EPA will soon release new guidance for pesticide labels regarding drift. Technically, it is illegal for pesticide to drift off of the target site. In the real world, some drift is inevitable, and, often, no harm is done. The primary difficulty is drafting labeling language that is both realistic and enforceable. The Agency seems to prefer ‘Do not allow this product to drift’, but this language may be impossible to define for enforcement purposes. The Spray Drift Task Force (SDTF) would prefer ‘Do not allow off-target drift to contact unprotected humans in the vicinity of the application. Minimize drift to sensitive areas. If drift occurs and causes environmental or economic damage, enforcement action may be taken.’ This phrasing also has problems, such as the definition of a ‘sensitive area’.
The SDTF proposes the following definitions for
‘sensitive areas.’
Vertebrates: wildlife, important nesting areas,
etc.
Terrestrial plants: nature preserves,
significant grasslands, parks, etc,
Aquatic: lakes, rivers, wetlands, etc.
Endangered species: pesticide labels refer
to county bulletins.
Humans: areas frequented by humans, such
as schools, playgrounds, parks, etc.
(Pestic. & Tox. Chem. News,
4/9/01)
CANCELED
The registrant plans to discontinue all uses of benomyl worldwide. This decision is not based on any human or environmental risks. Benomyl is known to be a relatively safe product.
The company’s action probably stems from the lawsuits arising from benomyl contamination. As you may recall, many producers lost plants as a result of contaminated benomyl products. Although the registrant paid restitution, producers may still lack confidence in benomyl.
This decision may not mean the end of benomyl
products. The market for benomyl was very strong worldwide.
Another company may purchase the registration from DuPont. DuPont
may or may not be willing to sell the registration and supporting data.
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A man lay sprawled across three entire seats in a theater. When the usher came by and noticed this, he whispered to the man, “Sorry, sir, but you’re only allowed one seat.” The man groaned but didn’t budge. The usher became impatient.
“Sir,” the usher said, “if you don’t get up from there I’m going to have to call the manager.” Again, the man just groaned, which infuriated the usher who turned and marched briskly back up the aisle in search of his manager. In a few moments, both the usher and the manager returned and stood over the man. Together the two of them tried repeatedly to move him, but with no success. Finally, they summoned the police. The cop surveyed the situation briefly.
“All right buddy, what’s your name?”
“Sam,” the man moaned.
“Where ya from, Sam?” the cop asked.
“The balcony.”
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1. Don’t squat with
our spurs on.
2. Good judgment
comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
3. Lettin’ the
cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier’n puttin’ it back in.
4. If you’re ridin’
ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s
still there.
5. If you get to
thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s
dog around.
6. After eating
an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring.
He kept it up until a hunter came along and
shot him...The moral: When you’re full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
7. Never kick a
cow chip on a hot day.
8. There’s two
theories to arguin’ with a woman. Neither one works.
9. If you find
yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
10. Never slap a man who’s
chewin’ tobacco.
11. It don’t take a genius
to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.
12. Always drink upstream from
the herd.
13. When you give a lesson
in meanness to a critter or a person, don’t be surprised if they learn
their lesson.
14. When you’re throwin’ your
weight around, be ready to have it thrown around by somebody else.
15. The quickest way to double
your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.
16. Never miss a good chance
to shut up.
17. There are three kinds of
men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation.
The rest of them
have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.
