MARYLAND GRAIN PRODUCERS
Grain News & Updates
Maryland Farms Host Tours for Congressional Aides
Over the past few weeks, several Maryland farms have hosted educational farm tours for Congressional aides who work for leaders from across the country. On June 24, farmer Eric Spates of Poolesville and the National Wheat Foundation hosted staff members working for leaders on the House and Senate Ag Committee to see wheat harvest firsthand. This past Monday, Corteva’s Chesapeake Farms and farmer Trey Hill of Rock Hall hosted staff members working for leaders from Indiana and Ohio to learn about biotechnology. These groups had the opportunity to see how the programs that they are working on, such as the Farm Bill, are implemented on the farm level.

4R Technology Field Day
The Delaware-Maryland 4R Alliance invites growers and agribusiness professionals to join them for their 4R Technology Field Day on August 22, 2019 at the Willard Agri-Service Liquid Fertilizer Plant in Greenwood, Delaware. This free event will showcase application of the 4Rs (right source, right rate, right time, and right place) on the Delmarva.

Demonstrations will include nitrogen modeling tools, Trident liquid/dry sprayer/spreader, Falcon auto-soil sampling machine, and seed genetics. National 4R Advocate farmer Jon Quinn will also share his experiences using 4R practices on his farm.

Registration will begin at 8:30 and the program will be from 9:30 - 2:30. Lunch will be provided as well as Nutrient Management and Certified Crop Adviser credits. We ask that you register so we can get an accurate count.

Spray Drift Reminder
The following is provided by Jenny Rhodes, University of Maryland Extension:

This is a friendly reminder to be mindful of the potential for temperature inversions in low-wind conditions that can cause extensive spray drift, especially if there are known sensitive crops and apiaries in your area. A temperature inversion exists when air at the ground level is cooler than the temperature of the air above it. The sideways air movement can cause spray droplets to be suspended and carried long distances before settling out and possibly causing damage or harm.
When do inversions occur?
Any time of the day and at any height above the ground, but most often during the early evening hours as the ground temperature begins to cool and the warm air has already risen. This may persist until the ground starts to warm mid-morning.
How do I know if there is an inversion?
Observing the movement of dust or smoke is a good indicator. Dust or smoke will hang in the air when an inversion is present or developing. Thermometers can be used at ground level and high above the ground to compare the temperature. If the ground level temperature is lower, there is an inversion. 
 
Maryland Farm & Harvest Series Wins 2 Emmy® Awards in Regional Competition
The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) presented Maryland Public Television’s series Maryland Farm & Harvest with two Emmy® Awards during its 61st Emmy Awards Gala at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center on Saturday, June 22.

The awards were received for the following categories:

Magazine Program - Feature/Segment
Breeding Bees, Maryland Farm & Harvest
Sarah Sampson, Producer

Magazine Program - Program/Special
Maryland Farm & Harvest - episode 606
Sarah Sampson, Series Producer
Harpreet Kaur, Segment Producer
Stefanie Robey, Segment Producer
Abigail Sussman, Assistant Producer
Michael English, Executive Producer

Major funding for the series has been provided by the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board (MGPUB) since the show first aired in 2013. Now filming their 7th season, the series is the most watched on Maryland Public Television, reaching over six million viewers.

Webinar Focused on Hiring Practices to be on July 12
Agricultural operations may not always take the time to do simple background checks or provide employees with the proper initial training that can cause huge issues down the road. Recent news has highlighted what can go wrong when agricultural operations hire employees with limited knowledge of agricultural practices. The University of Maryland will host a webinar focused on proper hiring and training techniques for agricultural operations on July 12 starting at noon (EST).
 
The webinar will show that taking the time to properly screen potential candidates, properly train those new employees, and provide continuing training for new practices to existing employees, the agricultural operation can limit potential hiring and training issues. This webinar will feature Paul Goeringer, Extension legal specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland, who will discuss proper screening and training techniques that agricultural operations should consider. For more information, contact Paul Goeringer at (301) 405-3541 or  lgoering@umd.edu .