MGPUB Releases Funding Report
|
|
The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB) 2018-2019 Funding Report is coming to a mailbox near you! This year, MGPUB
awarded over $765,000
to organizations across the state to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production, expand the utilization of grain, and to improve public understanding of agriculture using checkoff funds to support market development, education, and research.
Grant funds are made available through the Maryland grain checkoff program. A total of $765,796 was awarded for 2019, in the areas of Market Development ($428,675), Education ($217,261), and Research ($119,860). With the strong emphasis on needing to stabilize and increase markets, a majority of the funding was awarded to efforts that advance trade and expand opportunities to sell Maryland grain.
|
|
Local Farmer Featured on Facebook Live Series
|
The National Corn Growers Association’s Planted for People campaign aims to educates consumers on corn's many uses, the sustainable practices used to grow it, and the future of innovation. This year, they are traveling across the country to hear farmer’s stories firsthand. Their most recent stop was right here in Maryland, visiting Montgomery County farmer Paula Linthicum. Paula was featured in a Facebook Live event, discussing conservation and more.
|
|
National Corn Yield Contest Open for Entries
|
|
The National Corn Growers Association has announced that the 2019 National Corn Yield Contest is now open for entries. Farmers have until Sunday, July 31, 2019, to enter. This year marks the 55th year for the contest that began with 20 entries from four states. Last year 7,258 entries from 46 states made NCYC the premier event of its kind in the nation.
“NCGA wants to challenge you to take advantage of this opportunity to explore new ideas and production techniques while gleaning knowledge to enhance your future yield potential,” said Linda Lambur, NCYC manager. “It’s not just about big yields but promoting innovative production methods and sharpening management skills. It’s about being more precise in how we grow each bushel of corn and that ultimately will make corn production more sustainable.”
Winners will receive national recognition in publications, such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. At each Commodity Classic, state winners are recognized at the NCYC Breakfast, and national winners receive awards at the NCGA’s Evening Awards Banquet.
|
|
Fusarium Head Blight (Scab) Recommendations
|
|
The following was provided by Nidhi Rawat, Small grains Pathologist, University of Maryland, on 5/10/19:
Wheat in the Eastern Shore of Maryland is finishing up flowering. The risk for FHB is high. If you haven’t sprayed and you are still within 4-5 days of flowering, you can still do so. Wheat in the Northern parts is heading now and will soon start flowering. The FHB risk for this part of the state is also predicted to be high, and the farmers should be prepared to spray fungicides on their wheat when it flowers (50% of the main tillers showing yellow anthers). The fungicides effective for FHB are Prosaro/ Caramba/Miravis-Ace. The best stage recommended for spraying fungicides is early flowering or within 4-5 days of that. These fungicides do not need to be tank mixed with another product for spraying. The fungicide products should be applied at the full rate recommended by the manufacturers. Strobilurin containing fungicides should not be sprayed at this stage. Aerial application at a rate of 5 gallons per acre or ground application at 15 gallons per acre with 300-350 um droplet size is recommended. Spray nozzles should be angled at 30°-45° down from horizontal, toward the grain heads, using forward- and backward mounted nozzles or nozzles with a two directional spray, such as Twinjet nozzles. There has been no other major disease being seen anywhere across the state in wheat so far.
|
|
State Agencies Enhance Outreach and Enforcement Efforts in Response to Bald Eagle Poisonings
|
|
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are working together to address the continued illegal use of carbofuran (commonly known as Furadan) —a banned pesticide that has been implicated in recent poisoning events in Kent and Talbot counties that have killed at least seven bald eagles and one horned owl. This is the latest in a string of incidents that date back to February 2016, when 13 bald eagles were poisoned under similar circumstances in Caroline County.
It is illegal to use or sell or these products under state and federal law. Any violation of Maryland’s Pesticide Applicator Law is subject to a fine of up to $25,000 and/or prison. These violations may also be subject to additional penalties from the EPA. While it is not illegal to possess an unregistered or banned pesticide, it must be stored in compliance with state regulations and may not be used, sold, or traded. The department urges any individual in possession of carbofuran to responsibly dispose of the pesticide immediately.
For directions on the proper disposal of pesticides, please contact 410-841-5710, or
pest.reg@maryland.gov
.
|
|
Scholarship Applications Due TODAY!
|
|
The Maryland Grain Producers Association will offer four $2,500 to students pursuing an agriculturally related degree or career in 2019. The Applicant or the applicants’ immediate family must be involved in the production of grain in Maryland.
Scholarship funding is provided by the Maryland Grain Checkoff Program, which supports promotion, education and research projects beneficial to the grain industry. More than $180,000 in college scholarships have been awarded since the program was established in 1991.
Interested students should return a completed application. Applications must be received by May 17, 2019.
|
|
I BELIEVE IN THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE
By
Naomi Blohm
I remember as a freshman in high school, sitting in my agriculture classroom with five paragraphs laid out on paper in front of me. I was told to memorize it. Half the words rang true and deep to my 14-year-old self; the remaining words and phrases I wouldn’t fully comprehend until I was an adult. Those five paragraphs of the FFA Creed are a cornerstone of the true meaning of what it is to be in agriculture. They are words I, proudly, still have memorized to this day.
In today’s agriculture world, many are hurting financially due to depressed prices. Many hurt due to flooded lands with displaced livestock and buildings. We’re questioning the leadership at the national level in terms of the trade deal(s). And now, we are finally opening up about the mental angst farmers are facing in these tumultuous times. Add to it; social media. Social media makes the realities of today’s agricultural strife very real and raw.
This reality makes me think of the words in the second paragraph of the Creed, “I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging. I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
