MARYLAND GRAIN PRODUCERS
Grain News & Updates
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Dicamba Label Changes
Farmers interested in using dicamba as part of their crop strategy in the 2018 growing season need to be aware only certified applicators, or those under direct supervision, will be allowed to apply the product. The label change reflects an agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency, Monsanto, BASF and DuPont on measures to further minimize the potential for drift to damage neighboring crops from the use of dicamba formulations to control weeds in genetically modified cotton and soybeans. Manufacturers have voluntarily agreed to label changes that impose additional requirements for "over the top" use of these products next year including:

  • Classifying products as "restricted use," permitting only certified applicators with special training and those under their supervision, to apply them;
  • Dicamba-specific training for all certified applicators to reinforce proper use;
  • Requiring farmers to maintain specific records regarding the use of these products to improve compliance with label restrictions;
  • Limiting applications to when maximum wind speeds are below 10 miles per hour (from 15 miles per hour) to reduce potential spray drift;
  • Reducing the times during the day when applications can occur;
  • Including tank clean-out language to prevent cross-contamination; and
  • Enhancing susceptible crop language and record keeping with sensitive crop registries to increase awareness of risk to especially sensitive crops nearby.
Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program Now Open (Again)
MARBIDCO is pleased to announce that the Next Gen Program is reopen to a “mini round” to possibly fund one (or two) additional Next Gen projects this year! Please see below a list of key important dates pertaining to the Next Gen Program’s Mini Round:

  • November 20, 2017 – Prospective Next Gen Applicants must reach out to their respective County Agricultural Land Preservation Administrator to let them know that they are applying.
  • November 28, 2017 – FORM 1: Property Seller Information Form must be completed (by the seller) and given to the County Agricultural Land Preservation Administrator.
  • December 20, 2017 – Next Gen Application submission deadline (at the MARBIDCO office).
Upcoming Events
Agriculture and Environmental Law Conference

Register by November 10 for the 2017 Agriculture and Environmental Law Conference, taking place on November 17 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Annapolis. Discussion topics will include: “Hot Legal Issues in Agriculture”, “Legal Resources for Improving Soil Health”, “Antibiotics and Livestock, Conservation and the 2018 Farm Bill”, and “Organics: Certified, Transitional, Livestock, Oh My!”. Nutrient Management Continuing Learning Education Credit is available. Registration for the conference is $40 and access to all program sessions, downloadable conference materials, continental breakfast, and lunch.

Non-Profit Board Training

Join the LEAD Maryland Foundation on November 15, 2017 for a professional training seminar for nonprofit Board Directors. Topics to be covered include Duties of the Board, Key Documents, and Policies, and Fundraising: Responsibilities, Types and Stages of Fundraising. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Registration is complimentary but must be completed by November 10, 2017. 

Corn Yield Contest Harvest Form Due Date Extended
With harvest continuing across the country, the National Corn Growers Association will accept online harvest forms for the 2017 National Corn Yield Contest until Friday, December 1 at 4:30 pm CST. These forms are available online for those who entered the contest. Please do remember though, entrants are asked to report within two weeks of their final yield check or by Dec. 1 now, whichever comes first. The online harvest form is available to both farmers and seed representatives using the same login process as the initial entry form. Login does require submission of the entrant's NCGA membership number.


National Wheat Foundation Jerry Minore Scholarship
The National Wheat Foundation has officially begun accepting applications for its annual Jerry Minore scholarship. Each year the Foundation partners with BASF to establish a scholarship for students with connections to the wheat industry who are planning careers in agriculture. The Minore Memorial Scholarship will fund four college scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year: two $1,500 scholarships and two $1,000 scholarships. Deadline for applications is December 31, 2017.