Queen Anne’s County Holds 3rd Annual Ag Awareness Days
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The Agriculture community in Queen Anne’s County in partnership with the Board of Education recently came together for the 3rd year to deliver unbiased, science and researched based education to all the 7th grade students in the county. The Agriculture Awareness Day was held April 9 & 10 at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park in Queenstown.
MGPUB has been a proud sponsor of this event since first started in 2017. Maryland Grain Producers’ staff member Danielle Bauer participated in both days of the event, educating students about everyday products made with grains, the growth of the corn plant, and how local farmers are using technology to protect the environment. Afterwards, she shared that the greatest learning that came from the grains station was on GMOs. When students were asked what they knew about GMOs, the most common response was that “they are bad.” Bauer gave examples of various GMOs and how they benefit both farmers and consumers, and felt that students walked away with a different perspective on the topic.
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Miravis Ace for Scab in Barley and Wheat Now Labeled for Use in Maryland
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A new Section 3 MD label for Fusarium head blight (head scab) control on barley and wheat was just awarded for the Syngenta fungicide Miravis Ace, (
see the label here
).
The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board has funded research on this new product conducted by Dr. Nidhi Rawat at the University of Maryland. Last year, in a nursery setting, Miravis Ace was shown not only to provide good control, but also have a longer application window. It provided more control at early spray times than currently used Triazol fungicides. It was also interesting to note that even late anthesis spray of Miravis provided some control in terms of FHB severity and DON content. Research is continuing on this product this year to see if the results can be replicated.
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Tell the EPA to Support the New WOTUS Rule
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Tell the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers that you support the new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The rule’s proposed WOTUS definition goes a long way toward providing farmers the clarity and certainty that we have long desired.
The new rule protects our nation's clean water and gives farmers the ability to use their land without hiring a team of lawyers and consultants. It will permanently replace the disastrous 2015 WOTUS rule that would have created a huge regulatory burden and increased costs for farmers.
Farmers need clarity and certainty about their obligations under the Clean Water Act. Comment today and express support for the rule that provides clear jurisdictional boundaries to farmers, protects our nation’s water and can be implemented without confusion!
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Motorists, Farmers Urged to Share the Road
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Spring is here and the planting season is under way throughout much of Maryland. “Farmers are legally allowed to operate farm equipment on public roadways and there are times when farm vehicles must operate on highways to move between farm and field,” said Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. “I encourage all motorists to be patient when traveling on roads near Maryland farms and drive with caution to ensure the safety of motorists and farmers.”
This planting season MDOT SHA and the Department of Agriculture are working together to educate drivers to expect farm equipment on rural routes and to approach these vehicles with caution. “We will place portable electronic signs along major farming routes to remind drivers that planting season is here, and that they should approach and pass farm equipment carefully,” shared MDOT SHA Administrator Gregory Slater. “We want everyone to arrive to their destinations safely.”
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USDA Releases 2017 Census of Agriculture Results
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service published the results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture today with new information about the 12,429 Maryland farms and those who operate them, including first-time data about on-farm decision making, down to the county level.
Census data provide valuable insights into demographics, economics, land, and activities on U.S. farms. Some key Maryland highlights include:
- The total value of production of Maryland agriculture increased by 9% from 2012, totaling $2,472,805,000 in 2017.
- The per farm average net income increased from $38,920 in 2012 to $52,997 in 2017 – up nearly 36%.
- The number of farms increased from 12,256 in 2012 to 12,429 in 2017, due in part to an increase in smaller farms with 1 -9 acres of land.
- The average age of all producers was 57 years old.
- The number of female producers increased by nearly 33% from 2012, totaling 8,148 producers in 2017.
- New and beginning producers with 10 years or less of farming comprised of 5,764 producers.
- Young producers, age 35 years or less, comprised of 2,262 producers with an average age of 28.6 years old.
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Scholarship Opportunities
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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.
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The Mid-Atlantic Crop Advisers Program will be offering up to two $1,000 to college students pursuing a degree in plant sciences, soil sciences, or agronomy in 2019. Applicants must be a resident of or attending a four-year university or two-year program in the Mid-Atlantic region (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, or West Virginia). Applicants must be pursuing a career in plant or soil sciences, agronomy, or an agriculture related field.
The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial support to students interested in pursuing a career that would lead them to become a certified crop advisor or certified professional agronomist. Interested students should return a completed application to be received by June 1st.
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NCGA Releases Pollinator Protection Guide
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The National Corn Growers Association – in partnership with the Honey Bee Health Coalition – is releasing new best management practices to protect bees and other pollinators in and around cornfields. “While corn does not rely on honey bees for pollination like some crops, bees depend on neighboring plants for forage,” said Nathan Fields, NCGA vice president of production and sustainability. “As good stewards of the land, corn growers can follow these BMPs to help protect honey bee health, ensuring productive agricultural systems for all.”
Corn farmers who rotate with soybeans could also see added benefit from their pollinator stewardship because bees can increase soybean yields by up to 18 percent, according to a 2005 study.
A summary of key practices includes:
- Communicating about beehive locations, crop management practices, and coordinating with beekeepers.
- Checking extension recommendations, considering multiple strategies for pest control, and verifying in-field needs before applying pesticides.
- Planting and preserving flowering plants in non-crop areas.
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