Archived Newsletters

CROP CONDITIONS

Crop growth has been strong, with adequate rain in most places, and more than adequate in some. There was early sweet corn on July 4th from a few spots in the Connecticut Valley or bought in from Connecticut; and gradually the cooler parts of the state are reaching silking and moving toward harvest. Some farms won’t start harvesting sweet corn till third week of July however. Potatoes are flowering, pumpkin vines are running, weeds are growing very fast, tunnel tomatoes are near ripe and field tomatoes are sizing up. Stringing or tieing tomatoes on stakes or trellis is one job that’s is easy to get behind on. Early lettuce and greens have been tilled under and growers are planting second crops or cover crops. Keeping up with fall plantings while harvesting the midsummer crops is a big job. Phytophthora is rearing its ugly head too early in some vine crop fields – see vine crops update. Pest Briefs: Potato leafhopper has arrived in potatoes, beans and other crops and has been around long enough to produce some nymphs. This pest can sneak up on you since neither the insect nor the feeding damage is obvious – until its too late. Scout beans and potatoes. See New England Vegetable Management Guide for insecticides. For organic growers the most effective material appears to be Pyganic 5.0 EC; evening sprays to avoid UV decay may produce longer lasting results. Flea beetle numbers are declining as the winter generation dies off. We will see a resurgence at the end of the month when new adults emerge. Among all the other factors involved in your decisions about where late brassicas go, consider putting them far from spring brassicas to escape this flush of hungry adult beetles. Caterpillars in brassicas are building up: both imported cabbageworm and diamondback moth are present. See last week’s issue for scouting, ID and thresholds. Avaunt, Spintor (Entrust) and Proclaim are effective options against diamondback moth. Bts can be used at moderate populations and are effective against imported cabbageworm. The ideal time to treat is when newly hatched larvae begin chewing on the leaves – look for window-paning on the undersides of leaves, and also check the heart leaves or newly forming heads, where diamondback and imported cabbageworm can cause the most economical damage. Insecticides do not control DBM or ICW eggs or pupae. Tomato: growers should initiate fungicide applications for early blight and Septoria leaf spot, if they have not already done so, based on time of year (first week of July), weather conditions, and first observation of early blight symptoms. Where systemics are used (eg strobilurins such as Quadris, Amistar or Flint;) include a protectant such as mancozeb or chlorothalonil to help delay resistance. Include copper if bacterial diseases have been a problem in the past; it also has activity against fungal diseases and is the best material available for organic growers (check with your certifier for specific approved products) . Serenade (Baccillus subtillis), a microbial fungicide which blocks germination of many fungal and bacterial pathogens, may also reduce early blight (as well as bacterial spot) and is approved for organic (again, check with your certifier to be sure).

REMINDER: UMASS RESEARCH FARM FIELD DAY

TUESDAY, JULY 12, 5-8:30 PM. 10$ per person Barbecue 5-6 pm; concurrent vegetable and pasture/livestock tours from 6-8:30. Also there will be an ONSITE DISEASE DIAGNOSTIC CLINIC (also weeds and insects) – bring your samples!

For more details see June 23 issue at www.umassvegetable.org

Directions: From I-91 North take Exit 24. Turn right at the end of the ramp onto Rts 5 & 10 North. From I-91 South, take Exit 24 and turn left at the end of the ramp onto Rts 5 & 10 North. On 5 & 10, go to the traffic light and turn onto Rt. 116 (toward Amherst and Sunderland). Proceed about one mile through another light and turn left (north) onto River Rd. just before the bridge over the Connecticut River. Go north on River Rd. past the entrance to the Crops research center to the entrance of the Animal Research Center. Look for signs. From the Amherst-Sunderland-Hadley area, cross the Connecticut River on Rt. 116 and turn right onto River Rd. just beyond the bridge.

VINE CROPS UPDATE Phytopthora blight is showing up early; it has been confirmed in both winter and summer squash in the Connecticut Valley. Winter squash showed crown rot which killed the entire plants at the 5-8 leaf stage. This is not good news for this early in the season. Some parts of the state have been subject to heavy rains, which result in saturated soils and create favorable conditions. Remember that water management is key: do whatever you can to ensure that no part of the field has standing water or fully saturated soil for more than 24 hours. Subsoiling, drainage at ends of rows or edges of the field, and avoiding planting in low areas are helpful. If a part of the field becomes infected, remove or disk in those plants as well as a band of plants around them. If a susceptible crop is severely infected early, cut your losses and consider planting a late planting of a non-susceptible crop or cover crop! If you are growing in a field that you know has had previous infections, you need to pay special attention to water management as well as consider preventative sprays. If you are growing in a field that is not previously infected, there is still risk of infection from several sources: spores move readily in surface water or soil water as well as on equipment; they can also move a distance in windblown rain. What products can you use to prevent infection or reduce disease development? It’s hard to recommend anything with certainty against this disease, and few if any materials are rated as highly effective; but some materials have a greater likelihood of holding back or preventing disease than others; and efficacy tables rate some as more effective than others (one such chart is http://ipm.ncsu.edu/agchem/chptr6/615.pdf) Based on this plus conversations with plant pathologists Meg Mcgrath (Cornell) and Rob Wick UMass), here are some suggestions: --Start when plants are small and sprays can reach the crown. Target the crown area. Once vines expand, spray based on weather conditions: ideally, before a storm event rather than after. Ridomil (mefanoxam) containing products (eg Ridomil Gold EC, Ridomil gold/Bravo, Flourianil) are rated as highly effective IF they have not been heavily used against this disease with resulting resistance development. Always use with a protectant such as chlorothalonil to extend the usefulness of the product. Acrobat, Curzate, Cabario, Previcur Flex and Gavel are rated as slightly effective. Regarding phosphonate and phosphorous acid products including Alliette (phos-ethyl aluminum) and Phosphite: these are similar in mode of action, which includes increasing plant resistance to disease; there has been some positive results against with these materials; don’t expect a high level of control. Downy Mildew. Based upon the North American Disease Forecast Center, (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/cucurbit/forecasts/c050705.php) outbreaks of Downy Mildew have now been reported in southern Maryland and Delaware as well as in New Jersey, and weather events (northward moving storms and wind) have put areas of southern New England and western Mass at moderate risk of spores reaching the area with conditions suitable for infection. Scout your fields (a little closer than from the tractor seat is a good idea) and look for symptoms on underside and topsides of leaves. A reminder on symptoms: Spots are angular being delineated by leaf veins. Often several spots occur together in a coalesced group. Initially spots are pale green, then yellow before the tissue dies. Affected tissue in pumpkin can be more orange than yellow. On the leaf underside spots appear water-soaked at first. Extensive defoliation can occur when conditions are favorable. Leaf petioles often remain green and upright after the leaf blade has died and drooped. In contrast with powdery mildew, spores of the downy mildew fungus are darker (purplish gray) and develop only on the underside of leaves. See June 23 issue for more details on sprays for downy mildew. Striped cucumber beetle numbers remain high where they were not controlled. Wherever vine crops start flowering, you are at least as likely to see beetles in flowers as on leaves. However we should be nearing the end of the overwintering generation of adults. Currently there are larvae feeding underground. Bacterial wilt symptoms are showing up in zucchini, winter squash, and cucumber. First symptoms include wilt of leaves, scorching of margins or between leaf veins. Gradually the whole vine or plant wilts, turns yellow and dies. The infection period occurred earlier when plants were small. Action taken when plants are fully grown will not prevent this disease. Squash vine borer: There is a single flight of adults which typically begins at this time. Summer squash and Cucurbita maxima types of squash (eg blue hubbard, buttercup) are preferred hosts; C. moschata types (eg butternut) is not a host. Typically this is not a pest in large fields; however gardeners and small market gardens often report injury. The eggs are laid in the stems and larvae feed and tunnel entirely inside the stem, causing wilt of vines and leaves. Cultural practices include early planting (for susceptible crops); using preferred crops as a trap crop to protect less preferred crops; covering lower stems with soil to reduce oviposition. Insecticides if used should target stems but avoid injury to pollinators if the plant is flowering – ie use a material which is not toxic to bees. --R.Hazzard

SWEET CORN UPDATE

European corn borer flights have declined to below 10 moths per week at most locations. Corn earworm has not arrived yet. (One exception: Tyngsboro, 4 moths). Note that ‘non-target” moths are common in CEW traps at this time of year. Look for light buff color, somewhat ‘fluffy’ scales, light dot on forewing, green eyes (if alive) and dark band across the hind wing (hidden beneath the forewing). Moths that are darker, mottled or marked, missing the dot and band, have feathery antennae or otherwise don’t fit this description are NOT corn earworm! (see photo). In this situation –between ECB generations, no CEW-- silking corn is safe -- as long as ECB borers have been cleaned up before silk. You may get a respite from sprays if earworm holds off; but keep a close eye on your CEW traps. As soon as you expect silk – which is now pretty much everywhere – is a good time to get up a corn earworm trap on your farm. Green tassel and pretassel corn is still showing borer infestations left from the first flight; in some cases it takes two sprays to clean these up. To scout silking corn for ECB, check tassels and stalks for fresh frass (soft or sawdust like) and damage, and look between the ears and stalks for damage and caterpillars. Disregard old damage if you’ve already applied sprays – only tally the live worms when you calculate the % infestation. Only ECB caterpillars have been observed thus far. See photo for comparison of CEW, ECB, and fall armyworm caterpillars. Sap beetles (also know as picnic beetles) are showing up on some farms, especially in tassels, stalks and ears where ECB have tunneled. These beetles are attracted to decaying plant tissue, and are most commonly found in ripe or decaying fruit. Generally they are only a secondary pest (after caterpillar damage has occurred), but if numbers are high enough they can cause injury to ears. Picnic beetles are 4-7 mm oval black beetles with two yellow or reddish orange spots on each wing. These beetles overwinter as adults in many types of plant cover near the soil surface. Once temperatures reach 60 to 65 degrees F in the spring, they become active and feed on fungi, pollen, or sap from many kinds of plants. They lay eggs in old corn ears or other decaying matter. Larvae develop in decomposing plant material, then pupate in the soil. New adults emerge in midsummer. There is one generation per year. These beetles are attracted by overripe or damaged fruit or vegetables, such are tree fruit or berries –especially on the ground – as well as melons, cracked tomatoes, discarded corn ears, etc.. Corn varieties with more exposed tips or short, loose husks are more susceptible. In sweet corn, sap beetles may also enter the tip of the ear, lay eggs, and produce larvae which feed on the developing kernels. Often they attack ears already damaged by corn borer or earworm, but they may also enter undamaged ears. If damaging numbers are present, using Warrior or Capture in your caterpillar control program should also control sap beetles. To bring the overall population down, sanitation is important. Look at the management of any ripe fruit, decaying vegetables, or old corn residue on your farm throughout the year to consider if you might be providing a good overwintering site as well as site for eggs and larvae to develop in the spring. --Thanks to all those who are checking traps and sending in their counts.

SWEET CORN TRAP COUNTS 7-1 TO 7-7

LOCATION	DATE	ECB ZI	ECB EII	Total ECB	CEW
Berkshires, W. MA/ Champlain Valley
Westeminster, VT	7-7	2	2	4	0
Pittsfield	7-6	0	0	0	0
CT River Valley
S. Deerfield	7-6	0	2	2	0
Old Deerfield	7-6	0	2	2	0
Hatfield	7-6	17	0	17	0
Hadley	7-6	7	1	8	0
N. Hadley	7-6	9	5	14	1
Feeding Hills	7-6	6	0	6	0
C.& E. MA
Dracut	7-6	29	43	72	0
Tyngsboro	7-6	1	4	5	4
Dighton	7-6	0	4	4	0
Still River	7-6	0	1	1	0
Concord	7-6	17	22	39	4
R.I.
Coventry	7-6

SCARAB BEETLES IN VEGETABLE CROPS Japanese Beetles are emerging now and congregating in various crops and non-crop habitats. We have been seeing other scarab beetles in vegetable fields as well – some relatively new to the region (none are native to North America and their range in the Northeast is expanding) or new to vegetable growers. Generally only the adults visit vegetable fields; the eggs and grub stages feed in sod and turf. These are significant turf pests. Below are descriptions of several scarab beetles found in New England.

JAPANESE BEETLE adults are very familiar, about half an inch long, with a metallic green head. The wings are shiny copper or bronze color, and there are six tufts of white “fur” along the side of each wing when it is folded back over the body. They can cause damage in greens, basil, peppers, and also in corn by clipping the silks.

ORIENTAL BEETLES normally fly at night but may occasionally be seen at dusk or in the soil when weeding. The beetles are just a little smaller than Japanese beetles, and vary in color from yellowish gray to black, with irregular black patterns on the back. (Occasionally an individual will be almost all black or almost all gray.) Adults feed in morning and afternoon as well as at night. Vegetable hosts include bean, beet, onion and rhubarb. Eggs and grub stages are in turf and sod.

ASIATIC GARDEN BEETLES are about half as long as a Japanese beetle adult, and somewhat more “plump” in appearance (see photo). They are reddish-brown or copper-colored. They often are found near roots of plants when one is weeding. They feed in the evening from about 9 pm to midnight; hence damage may seem mysterious since the culprit can only be seen at night (try going out with a flashlight if you suspect this beetle is the cause—hand collecting is an option in gardens!). Daylight hours are spent in soil or under any available cover. They feed on a very wide range of plants – flowers, vegetables, and weeds – with beet, carrot, parsnip, pepper, turnip and basil being highly favored among vegetables & herbs. Eggs and grub stages may be found near plants where adults feed or find shelter, or in scruffy turf or sod. These beetles are more difficult to control with insecticides than other scarab beetles, and are spreading into more regions of New England. Adults are attracted to lights at night. Other species of scarab beetles include the European chafer, which are slightly larger than Japanese beetles and are a fairly dull brown or tan in color; as well as rose chafers, June beetles, and dung beetles. The life cycle of the Japanese beetle fits most of the species of grubs we encounter in New England, with variations depending on the species and the location. They have a one-year life cycle, with adults emerging in early July in most of Massachusetts (slightly earlier further south and slightly later further north). The adults are active in daylight and begin feeding on many different kinds of plants, including roses, grapes, lindens, purple-leafed plums, and crabapples. In vegetables, they can be found in many crops including corn, peppers, green beans, collards, basil, and other herbs and greens. The females return to the soil (often in or near wide expanses of turf grass) and lay eggs, usually beginning in late July. Eggs hatch into tiny grubs (cream-colored larvae, C-shaped, with brown heads). The first grubs usually appear around late July or early August and begin feeding on roots of grasses and other plants (especially corn). After about two weeks of feeding, the grubs molt to a second “instar”, and feed for another three weeks. The grubs molt once more, to the “third instar” (or large grub) around the middle of September, and continue feeding until the soils begin to cool down. In late fall the grubs migrate downward through the soil profile, staying below the frost line throughout the winter. In the spring as the soils warm up, the grubs move back into the root zone and resume feeding for about six weeks. By the middle of June, most grubs have completed their feeding requirements and pupate (still in the soil) for about a week before emerging as new young adults.

Controls: On turf, insecticide controls normally target young grubs just as they begin to emerge from eggs using registered soil insecticides. (for more information grub management see the UMass Turf website www.umassturf.org; see archived pest messages). In vegetables, managing the grub stage may not be feasible or necessary since the grubs are most likely feeding elsewhere. If adult beetles are causing economic damage, select a broad-spectrum insecticide labeled for Japanese or other beetles in the crop. Insecticide should be applied in the evening for night-feeding beetles, or in the morning for day-feeders. If there is concern about grub populations in cropped fields, it may be possible to reduce grub survival through starvation (ie no crop roots to feed on in late summer, where that is possible). Another possibility is predatory nematodes. The best option would be Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, which can be purchased and applied through a backpack or low-pressure boom sprayer as a soil drench. Do not use Steinernema spp, which are ineffective against grubs. The rate used on turf is 1 billion per acre but it could be less on bare soil because they are not lost in the thatch as in turf. They have to be watered in to get them down into the moist areas of the soil. Research studies conducted at UMass and elsewhere, using this species, showed quite consistent results (60-70% mortality) against grubs in turf.

--Pat Vittum, Turf Entomologist, UMass, and Ruth Hazzard; additional source: J Capinera, Handbook of Vegetable Pests.

SO, JUST HOW CLEAN IS YOUR WATER?

FROM OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION As we work through another year of helping growers with the application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to their fresh produce operations, I am repeatedly reminded of just how important, and potentially confusing, is the issue of water quality. First of all, we emphasize in our education programs that water quality is one of the most critical control points for minimizing the risk of foodborne illness. Of course, water contamination of any kind: chemical or microbiological is to be avoided both out in the field and in the packing house. In the GAPs program we provide recommendations based on good, general science yet, we emphasize that no standards have been established for fresh produce. Ultimately we end up applying the standards for potable water and wait for the research to tell us if we have any other options or considerations. I have written before about the standards for water testing and treatment of wells and will repeat just a few words about it here. Anyone who has heard me speak, has heard about testing wells annually and open water sources quarterly for fecal coliform and E. coli. During farm consultations we provide Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that give growers methods for solving a contamination problem whether it’s for water intended for use out in the field, or for water used in the packing house. Those SOPs generally rely heavily on the use of chlorine (in its variety of forms) to treat the water, killing bacteria present in the water and, depending on the level of free chlorine in the water, killing some bacteria on the surface of produce being washed. And yet the world is a changing place, new problems pop up, and, if we are lucky, new solutions present themselves as well. Some growers are using sanitizers other than chlorine to solve a number of problems inherent to using chlorine (fumes, corrosion, discharge issues, to name a few). Some of the methods I have seen more commonly employed in the Midwest are copper ionization, and hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen dioxide. Copper Ionization is an electrical method that generates electrically charged copper ions into a water system. These ions are reactive and are thereby capable of inactivating bacteria, mold, mildew and similar microorganisms. The level of copper used by these automatic systems is not toxic and copper has been effectively used to generally control disease in other applications. The effectiveness of copper ionization on certain spore-forming bacteria and parasites is questionable when it is not monitored or controlled properly. All systems should have a method for being able to monitor the copper ion level in the water. Combination with another sanitizer (i.e. chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, etc.) is a way to cover all of your bases, yet maintaining lower levels of reactive oxidizing sanitizers. Using hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen dioxide is another acceptable method for achieving water sanitation. Here, we are taking a form hydrogen and oxygen molecules that are highly reactive, bringing them into contact with organic material (bacteria), and (at a high enough level) effectively killing bacteria, parasites and inactivating viruses. One big plus of using these compounds is that the by-products of their reactions are water and oxygen. There is no need to be concerned about fumes or water discharge; however, these are reactive materials and should be handled carefully. Again, monitoring the level of the reactive components is critical to maintaining control over your sanitizing system. Of course these are only two alternative sanitation methods for water treatment of many. Regardless of the one you choose, the most common error I find is that there is no monitoring system for the water sanitation system. With chlorine, people are accustomed to using test strips to measure the free chlorine levels. If they combine this measurement with monitoring the pH of the water, they can be sure to maintain the right balance in the water to achieve inactivation of microorganisms. A pH that is either too high or too low will result in the chlorine moving into a form that will not be effective for killing microorganisms. And if you simply dump and don’t measure, you may just be throwing money down the drain. Using an ORP system to monitor the effectiveness of your water treatment system may be a more useful and easy method to assure that your treatment system is working for you on a consistent basis. ORP stands for Oxidation-Reduction Potential. An ORP system is a system that can measure the oxidation-reduction potential (in terms of milli-volts (mV)) of the treated water. Research has shown (Trevor V. Suslow, Ph.D., UCDavis, Pub. 8149, 2004) that a reading of 650-700 mV will result in the killing of pathogenic bacteria within 30 seconds. Advantages of this system can be automated dosing based on system readings, automatic recording of measurements (helpful for those who face third-party audits), and reduction of the need to test the water for pH. Maintaining backup methods with which to calibrate your ORP system is strongly recommended. Ultimately you should know as much about your water chemistry (pH, mV, free ion levels) as you probably know about the soil chemistry of your fields. Failing to monitor is a failure to control. Water systems that are out of control are at a much greater risk for being the source of a foodborne outbreak. Minimize your risk and measure. Ohio and Indiana fruit and vegetable growers can get help with the development of a food safety program by contacting Mid American Ag and Hort Services by phone at 614-246-8286, fax at 614-246-8686, or email at maahs@ofbf.org. The Initiative is presented in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency. More information about the Ohio and Indiana Specialty Crop Food Safety Initiative may be found at www.midamservices.org by clicking on “Projects.”

--June 2005 by Shari L. Plimpton, Ph.D., Food Safety Educator - Ohio and Indiana Specialty Crop Food Safety Initiative Taken from: VegNet Vol. 12, No. 10. June 20, 2005 Ohio State University Extension Vegetable Crops On the WEB at: http://vegnet.osu.edu Vegetable Notes, Ruth Hazzard, editor and Ben Hunsdorfer, Assistant Editor. Vegetable Notes is published weekly from May to September and at intervals during the off-season, and includes contributions from the faculty and staff of the UMass Extension Vegetable Program, other universities and USDA agencies, growers, and private IPM consultants. Authors of articles are noted; author and photographer is R. Hazzard if none is cited. Where trade names or commercial products are used, no company or product endorsement is implied or intended. Always read the label before using any pesticide. The label is the legal document for product use. Disregard any information in this newsletter if it is in conflict with the label.

Bacterial wilt symptoms include scorching of leaves, as well as wilt and death of vines

Corn earworm moth Photo: D. Ferro

A: Corn Earworm B: European Corn Borer C: Fall Armyworm

Asiatic beetle on basil

Japanese beetle on water spinach

University of Massachusetts Amherst Crop and Animal Research and Education Centers FIELD DAY South Deerfield, MA Tuesday July 12, 2005 5-8:30 pm A donation of $10 per person is requested. Sponsored by University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Natural Resources and the Environment UMass Extension

Schedule of Events

• Registration and sign-in starts at 4:30 pm
• Onsite Disease and Insect and Weed Diagnostic Clinic (bring samples!) starts at 4:30 pm
• Barbecue supper 5:00 - 6:00 pm
• Welcome and Introductions 6:00 pm
• Concurrent Tours 6:15 –8:30 pm
  • I. Vegetable Research.
  • II. Livestock and Pasture
• Onsite Disease, Insect and Weed Diagnostic Clinic (bring samples!) 5:00-8:00 pm

Highlights of Vegetable Research Tour

• Eggplant trials (eggplants from around the world) – Frank Mangan, Raquel Uchôa de Mendonça
• Ethnic crops trials – Frank Mangan, Raquel Uchôa de Mendonça, Eric Toensmeier
• Vegetable Disease Observation (Student Research) – Shanyn Siegel
• Colonial Vegetables for Historic Deerfield –John and Nancy Howell
• Nitrogen rates and planting date effects on sweet corn – Masoud Hashemi, Stephen Herbert
• Perimeter trap cropping for butternut squash—Lynn Adler, Ruth Hazzard How do border crops affect striped cucumber beetle and bees? Is butternut yield limited by lack of pollination?
• Cucurbit variety trial: attractiveness to pollinators and cucumber beetles Lynn Adler, Ruth Hazzard
• Sweet corn pestwatch network and onfarm trials of new IPM methods– Rich Bonanno, Ruth Hazzard
• Chinese flowering broccoli –varieties and market tastes for a new crop – Andy Cavanagh, Ruth Hazzard
• Flea beetle and cabbage root maggot crop preference and biology
• Heat tolerance in broccoli for late summer harvest: variety trials. Andy Cavanagh, Ruth Hazzard.
• Cucumber beetle trials in cucumbers: systemics compared
• Cucumber beetle trials in cucumbers: organic control options
• Organic Transition land: cover crops and future plans.
• For the vegetable tour, One hour of pesticides recertification credit has been requested.

Highlights of Livestock & Pasture Tour

• UMass Extension & Massachusetts 4-H Program - Carrie Chickering-Sears
• UMass Belted Galloway Herd - Mark Huyler, UMass Veterinary & Animal Science Dept
• UMass Boer Goat & Dorset Sheep Flock - Alice Newth
• UMass Livestock Manager Pasture Grazing - Stephen Herbert

Directions: From I-91 North take Exit 24. Turn right at the end of the ramp onto Rts 5 & 10 North. From I-91 South, take Exit 24 and turn left at the end of the ramp onto Rts 5 & 10 North. On 5 & 10, go to the traffic light and turn onto Rt. 116 (toward Amherst and Sunderland). Proceed about one mile through another light and turn left (north) onto River Rd. just before the bridge over the Connecticut River. Go north on River Rd. past the entrance to the Crops research center to the entrance of the Animal Research Center. Look for signs. From the Amherst-Sunderland-Hadley area, cross the Connecticut River on Rt. 116 and turn right onto River Rd. just beyond the bridge.