FFF 2006-2 

Crop conditions:
Almost all crops are developing very well following a mild 
winter and warm spring.  In most areas of the state there is 
still a chance of frost so we donât want to speak too soon, 
but right now weâre looking good.  In central Indiana 
peaches are just a little past petal fall, apples are 
approaching full bloom and grapes are just beginning to bud 
out.

Apple Thinning:  The thinning decision you make with apples is 
one of the most critical management decisions you will make all 
year, and one that affects not only the crop this year, but next 
year also.  Thinning is all about tradeoffs and compromise.  The 
earlier you thin, the better the response will be, both in terms 
of fruit size increase and in return bloom for next yearâs crop.  
The problem is that early thinning is risky, so what to do?  Use 
the nibble approach where you donât try to get the job done in 
one shot.  Put on a mild thinner application early (say around 
petal fall) and then follow up with another application about 14 
days later if you think it is needed.  This way you achieve some 
of the benefit of early thinning while at the same time spreading 
some of your risk.  A few other pointers for thinning:
*	Thinners work best when temperatures are 70-80F at the time 
of application and for a few days afterwards.  Donât apply 
thinners when temperatures are below 65 F as they will have 
little affect.
*	Keep detail notes of what you applied, what rate, when, what 
the conditions were at the time of application and for a few 
days afterwards, and what the result was.  This will help 
you build up a picture of what works best on your farm
*	If you suffered some frost damage, think long and hard 
before you decide not to thin this year.  The risk is that 
there may be more crop left than you think, and by not 
thinning you may be compromising next years crop as well as 
the crop this year.
*	It usually takes 10-14 days until the effects of a thinner 
application can be seen, so donât rush back in with a second 
application without allowing enough time to assess the 
effect of the first application.
(Hirst)

Care of New Trees:  If you planted new trees this spring, a few 
points to remember to help them get off to a good start.
*	Heavy pruning on young trees delays the time when cropping 
begins.  So to bring trees in to cropping early, minimal 
pruning should be done in the early years.
*	Make sure the graft union is a few inches out of the soil to 
reduce the chance of scion rooting.
*	If planting dwarfing trees, provide a post or trellis as 
tree support right from the time of planting.
*	Pay attention to weed control. Weeds can severely impact the 
establishment of young trees.
*	If deer are likely to be a problem, apply control measures 
from day 1 (deer fence, soap, etc).
*	Even though trees wonât have fruit the first year, good pest 
and disease control is essential.

Remember, your goal is not for the trees to just survive 
(although that is definitely a good start!), but to have them 
perform close to the optimum.  (Hirst)

Labor Law Posters: Most Are Available For Free
A number of state and federal laws and regulations require 
employers to display posters and/or information for 
employees. Posting is generally to be displayed in a central 
location where information is accessible to all employees. 
Most state and federal labor law posters are available at no 
charge by downloading from government agency web sites or 
calling the appropriate agencies. 

To obtain this information, log onto the website of the Mid 
American Ag and Hort Services, Inc at:
http://www.midamservices.org
Look for:
ãLabor Law Posting Complianceä
From there you can look up both federal and state labor law 
requirements and download free labor law posters.
(Hirst, adapted from information from MAAHS)

The Distant Sound of Drumming
Growers, packers, processors and shippers of fresh and 
fresh-cut produce should be hearing the distant sound of 
drumming from the mighty jungle that is our nationâs 
capital.  Those arenât celebratory drums you are hearing 
either, particularly if your business includes lettuce, 
spinach and/or tomatoes.  The Food and Drug Administration 
(FDA) has issued two letters of concern addressed to the 
fresh produce industry (Feb. 2004 and Nov. 2005), an 
ãAction Plan to Minimize Foodborne Illness in Fresh 
Produce·ä (2004) and most recently, a draft guide for 
Industry to minimize microbial food safety hazards for 
fresh-cut fruits and vegetables (March, 2006).  All of this 
activity and attention from the FDA can mean only one thing: 
if you haven't already done so it is time to work on 
evaluating your practices for potential food safety hazards, 
modify your operation to minimize those hazards, and fast.

The first letter of concern from the FDA was addressed to 
growers, packers and shippers of fresh lettuce and fresh 
tomatoes and focused on 14 outbreaks of foodborne illness 
caused by Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Cyclospora and 
Hepatitis A virus.  The FDA then proceeds to let you know 
what information is available to address the problem, their 
expectation that some action is required on the part of 
industry and they finish with a warning regarding their 
legal jurisdiction in these matters.

Based on their concerns, the Feb., 2004 letter directs 
growers to refer to the 1998 "Guide to Minimize Microbial 
Food Safety Hazards for Fruits and Vegetablesä for an 
overview of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good 
Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) recommended by the FDA. The 
letter also directs your attention to a 2001 report 
"Analysis and Evaluation of Preventive Control Measures for 
the Control and Reduction/Elimination of Microbial Hazards 
on Fresh and Fresh-Cut Produce," available at 
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/ift3-toc.html.  This 
collaborative report between the FDA and the Institute of 
Food Technologists (IFT) summarizes then ãcurrent 
scientific research relating to the various methods of 
eliminating or reducing pathogens, while maintaining fresh 
attributes, on whole and fresh-cut produce.ä  However, 
understanding GAPs and GMPs by using the FDA Guide and 
related USDA materials is a bit easier than trying to read 
through the FDA/IFT 2001 report.

Finally, that first letter finishes with the following 
warning, ãAs you are aware, food produced under unsanitary 
conditions whereby it may be rendered injurious to health is 
adulterated under ¤ 402(a)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
Cosmetic Act ((21 U.S.C. 342(a)(4)). FDA will consider 
enforcement actions against firms and farms that grow or 
pack fresh produce under such unsanitary conditions.ä  Take 
note of this warning, regardless of whether you grow, pack, 
ship or distribute tomatoes or lettuce.  This letter, signed 
by Terry C. Troxell, Ph.D. Director, Office of Plant and 
Dairy Foods, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, 
FDA, clearly sends the message to the entire fresh produce 
industry that the FDA has taken notice and is going to 
expect action from the industry to minimize this problem.

A second letter of ãserious concernä followed the first 
this past November of 2005.  The second letter was addressed 
to California lettuce and spinach growers, packers, 
processors and shippers of fresh and fresh-cut lettuce and 
spinach and signed by the Director for the Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition of the FDA, Robert E. Brackett, 
Ph.D.  Citing the previous letter and the resources it 
referenced, the second letter focused on reiterating the 
FDAâs concerns and to ãstrongly encourageä the industry to 
focus on reviewing the practices in their operations that 
could lead to microbial contamination and to implement 
modifications from the farm through distribution.  

The November 2005 letter also focuses on the issue of 
produce being contaminated by floodwaters without 
equivocation.  Dr. Brackett writes, ãAlthough it is 
unlikely that contamination in all 19 outbreaks was caused 
by flooding from agricultural water sources, we would like 
to take this opportunity to clarify that FDA considers ready 
to eat crops (such as lettuce) that have been in contact 
with flood waters to be adulterated due to potential 
exposure to sewage, animal waste, heavy metals, pathogenic 
microorganisms, or other contaminants.ä  And he notes that 
adulterated food is subject to seizure by the FDA.

And it doesnât stop there.  The FDA is apparently beginning 
to lose its patience with efforts to work with industry on 
this problem.  They quite poignantly state that they have 
been attempting to work with everyone on this issue since 
1998 and that the stance taken by some in the industry that 
the exact nature of the problem must be known before anyone 
should take action is not acceptable to them.  Therefore, 
specifically in California, yet, intended for the entire 
industry, the FDA is asking for industry cooperation in the 
following areas: communication, guidance, outreach and 
research.  It would be unwise at this point to simply hope 
that this will go away.

My recommendations for those who arenât in California is to 
learn as much as you can about GAPs, review your own 
operation for potential contamination, modify your operation 
based on what you determine, and document your food safety 
policies and procedures in a food safety plan.  Another 
potential resource for this is the FDAâs 2004 Action Plan at 
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodpla2.html.  This document 
reviews many of the same recommendations given in all GAPs 
programs and it gives an update on the FDAâs most recent 
views on safe practices and their implementation.

Also, take the time to look at the March, 2006 draft Guide 
to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut 
Fruits and Vegetables 
(http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/guidance.html) and send comments 
while the door is open (through April, 2006).  You may not 
do any cutting; however, the FDA is asking fresh produce 
growers to look at this document, too.  Anything that gets 
by without comment is assumed to be accepted by all.  Your 
comments on this draft guide are part of what the FDA means 
when it says it is looking for communication.

And for Indiana and Ohio fruit and vegetable producers who 
could use a little help with all of this, feel free to 
contact us at the Ohio and Indiana Specialty Crop Food 
Safety Initiative by calling Mid American Ag and Hort 
Services at 614-246-8286 or emailing us at maahs@ofbf.org. 
 We are funded by the United States Department of 
Agriculture's Risk Management Agency to provide free 
materials regarding GAPs, as well as free on-farm 
consultations through September 2006.  Visit us at the MAAHS 
website at www.midamservices.org and select ãProjectsä 
from the list on the left side of the page.
(Shari L. Plimpton, Ohio and Indiana Specialty Crop Food 
Safety Initiative)

Apple Disease Update
Fortunately for us, powdery mildew isnât the problem here 
that it is in other places, but it might be worse than usual 
after our mild winter. Also, certain varieties ( e.g., 
Ginger Gold, Granny Smith Jonathan, Idared, Paulared, Rome 
Beauty, and Stayman Winesap) are very susceptible, making it 
a problem for some. Powdery mildew spore release starts at 
about the tight cluster stage of bud development. For best 
management, begin applying fungicides at tight cluster and 
continue until midsummer when terminal growth ceases. 
Recommended spray intervals are approximately 10 days from 
tight cluster through petal fall; as shoot growth slows, 
this rate is lengthened to 14 days after petal fall. The 
DMI-fungicides (Bayleton, Nova, Rubigan, or Procure) provide 
excellent powdery mildew control; however if scab is an 
issue, your best bet is to stick with Nova, Rubigan, or 
Procure, as Bayleton does not control scab. Sovran and 
Flint, both strobilurin fungicides, provide good control of 
powdery mildew, scab, and rust. As always when using 
strobilurins, or DMIâs, be sure to rotate, or tank mix a 
protectant like Mancozeb, Ziram, or Polyram (EBDCs) or 
Captan (dicarboximide). 

Now is the time for fire blight management. The use of less 
suceptible rootstocks, like Bud. 9 or M.7, when using more 
susceptible varieties is critical in orchards with a history 
of fire blight. It is important to note that susceptible 
scion varieties (like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Jonathan, to name 
a few) of young trees grafted to resistant rootstocks will 
still sustain fire blight strikes, but should not be killed 
by rootstock blight, unlike the same scion wood grafted to 
M. 26 or Mark.

After the use of less susceptible scion and rootstocks, 
spray ALL the trees in the orchard with copper up to about 
1/2 inches green tip. In addition to making sure that the 
correct rate of copper is used, make sure that sprayers are 
properly calibrated.. Any formulation of copper (e.g., 
copper sulfate, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride) should 
be effective in disease control.  However, if using copper 
sulfate, make sure at least 10 days have transpired between 
dormant oil and copper sulfate to prevent phytotoxicity. 
Fixed coppers like C-O-C-S (copper oxychloride), or kocide 
(copper hydroxide) will not have the same incompatibility 
issues that copper sulfate has with early season oil sprays. 

Often overlooked in scab management, it is important to 
avoid early infections on sepals: These first infections are 
difficult to detect, but provide subsequent inoculum for the 
rest of the growing season. Although itâs still a little 
early, forewarned is forearmed! Copper applied to control 
fire blight should provide adequate protection should an 
infection period occur. Copper will not, however, provide 
kick- back against scab. Two fairly new fungicides, Scala 
5SC and Vangard 75WG (both AP (anilopyrimidine family)) 
provide about 48 hours of ãkick-back.ä Due to a relatively 
high risk of resistance, tank-mix either product with a 
protectant EBDC or captan. Suggested rates: 
      5 oz of Vangard or 7-10 oz of Scala
      tank mix with 
      3-lb. rate of mancozeb 75DF or Polyram 80DF   per 100 
gallons
(Beckerman)

Collar Rot: If your trees, or site have a history of 
Phytophthora collar rot, now is the time to apply Ridomil 
Gold EC as a drench before budbreak. Ridomil Gold EC, with 
later foliar applications of Agri-Fos, or Aliette, are 
recommend in orchards with poor drainage and heavy, clay-
type soil. As always, treat surrounding, apparently healthy 
trees, not just trees already showing severe symptoms of 
collar rot.  Remember that these fungicides work best 
protecting new growth from infection, not curing already 
infected trees.

Peach Leaf Curl and Plum Pockets: I realize that there 
arenât that many plum growers, but the management is the 
same, and the pathogens are kissing cousins! Now is the time 
to spray if your trees (peach or plum) arenât quite at bud 
swell. If they are, or past, then youâre too late÷Plan on 
fall for control next spring! Fungicides labeled for control 
include Bravo, carbamate, Ziram, and the ecoppers (sulfate, 
hydroxide, and oxychloride).

Raspberry Anthracnose and Cane Blight: This is the single 
most important spray you will apply to management 
anthracnose and/or cane blight on cane fruits. When leaves 
are 1/4 to 3/4 inches apply liquid lime-sulfur (rate= 20 
gallons per acre).  Late applications of  lime-sulfur can 
result in burn, so time appropriately!


Workshops and Services for the Food Industry and Food 
Entrepreneurs

The Department of Food Science at Purdue has a number of 
workshops planned for those in the food industry. 

Aseptic Processing and Packaging Workshop
The Aseptic workshop at Purdue incorporates a
lecture and ãhands onä laboratory format to review
the essential scientific and engineering principles
relevant to applying the aseptic technology. The
topics presented are an overview of aseptic processing
and packaging, microbial principles applied to aseptic
processing, chemical considerations, principles of
thermal processing, equipment features, and packaging
considerations.
May 15 - 18, 2006 Steve Smith
smithrs@purdue.edu

Development and Implementation of HACCP Programs
This course provides instruction for developing Hazard
Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) programs for
the meat/poultry/egg and fruit/vegetable industries.
This workshop includes an overview of foodborne
hazards and prevention strategies, an understanding of
HACCP principles, and an awareness of the regulatory
requirements for HACCP programs.
October 24 - 26, 2006 Kiya Smith
kiya@purdue.edu

Introduction to Food Processing Plant Sanitation
This course is recommended for meat, poultry, and egg
processing plant personnel involved in sanitation under
USDA-FSIS. In this course, participants will learn
about sanitation requirements, selection of cleaners
and sanitizers, how to train sanitation crews, and how
to validate sanitation programs.
November 8, 2006 Kevin Keener
kkeener@purdue.edu

Retail Food Safety: Retail Food Managerâs Certification 
Courses
As of January 2005, Indiana requires at least one
manager from each retail food establishment be
certified in retail food safety and pass a nationally
recognized exam. Our program focus is to prepare
retail food managers for this requirement and teach
sound food handling procedures. The 3 programs
above are offered in Indiana to address these needs.
Each program has been developed as a nationally
recognized curriculum and certification program for
retail food handlers. Our website provides information
about current programs offered.
Essentials of Food
Safety and Sanitation
Kiya Smith
kiya@purdue.edu
SuperSafeMarkú 
Kiya Smith
kiya@purdue.edu
ServSafe 
Kiya Smith
kiya@purdue.edu

Wine & Grape Workshops
The Purdue Wine Grape Task Force is a cooperation
between the Indiana Wine Grape Council and Purdue
University to serve the Stateâs existing and prospective
vintners and growers and to help propel the local
wine/grape industry into world-class competitiveness.
On the web at www.indianawines.org
Year-round workshops across Indiana cover topics
ranging from vineyard establishment, grape and
wine quality assessment and analysis, to commercial
winemaking techniques and recent issues in wine sales
and marketing.
June 12, 2006 Christian Butzke
butzke@purdue.edu
September 2006 Christian Butzke
butzke@purdue.edu

Upcoming meetings:

May 4. Eastern Indiana Fruitgrowers meeting.  For more 
details contact Dave Clamme, dclamme@purdue.edu, Phone 765-
747-7732