MARYLAND GRAIN PRODUCERS
Grain News & Updates
Phosphorus Management Tool
On Friday, December 13 th members of the Phosphorus Management Committee gathered to vote on a whether or not to delay the next implementation phase of the Phosphorus Management Tool (PMT). With a vote of 12 to 5, the committee recommended to the Secretary to move forward to the next phase without a one-year delay. The decision now lies with Maryland Secretary of Agriculture, Joe Bartenfelder, who will have the final say on the implementation schedule.

For more information, click here .
What's Going On With Trade?
  • Phase-One Agreement With China
  • A phase one agreement between China and the United States has been reached. The United States will fulfill its commitment to remove tariff increases on Chinese products. Through the agreement, Beijing has committed to buy an additional $32 billion in American agricultural products over two years. The signing of the agreement is scheduled to take place the first week of 2020 and will go into affect after 30 days. Phase two negotiations will begin after the 2020 election.
  • Read full story here.
  • USMCA - Victory
  • With a 385 to 41 vote, the House approved the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. "The USMCA will provide continuity in the growth of the North American market and will strengthen our trading relationships with Canada and Mexico," said Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation President.
  • Read full story here.
Trade School
On December 11 th , twenty-one agriculture leaders gathered at our first regional Trade School held on Kent Island. Andrea Durkin provided insight on the history and foundation of U.S Trade Policy. Floyd Gaibler with the U.S. Grain Council spoke to the group next about the importance of trade and key markets. Next, Chip Councell, Maryland Farmer, shared how his travel with the US Grains Council as a farmer creates trading relationships. After lunch Lesly McNitt with the National Corn Growers Association and Chip Bowling, discussed what’s going on now with trade and what producers can do to be heard in Washington. Lastly, the group ended in a strong and powerful discussion of next steps for attendees to get involved.

Thank you for those you attended. We appreciate your participation.

Resources:
  • For Presentations at Trade School, click here.
  • To be more involved, click here.
  • Download the NCGA Action App
  • Sign-up for Text Alerts
  • Text NCGA to 50457
Corn Yield Contest
The National Corn Yield Contest results are in and Maryland has a new state record! Drew Haines from Middletown, won the National Corn Yield Contest for no-till, non-irrigated for the second year in a row, harvesting 422 bushels to the acre.

Maryland State Winners
  • Conventional, Non-Irrigated: Brenda Walsh from Hampstead with 308 bu/acre.
  • No-Till, Non-Irrigated: Drew Haines from Middletown with 422 bu/acre.
  • Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till, Non-Irrigated: David Hill from Kennedyville with 232 bu/acre.
  • No-Till, Irrigated: Marion Wilson from Centreville with 289 bu/acre.
  • Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till, Irrigated: Bruce Bartz from Denton with 319 bu/acre.
  • Convention Irrigated: Jason Larry Sheubrooks from Sudlersville with 296 bu/acre.

Full article on Maryland’s National Winner, click here. (waiting link)
Full article on 2019 Corn Yield Contest, click here .
2019 National Corn Yield Winners, click here .
2019 National Corn Yield Contestants, click here .
2019 State Corn Yield Winners, click here .
Ethanol - Final RVO Rule Leaves Farmer Underwhelmed
The final rule, released yesterday, uses a three-year average of the Department of Energy recommended waivers as an estimate for 2020 waivers rather than an average of actual gallons waived by the EPA.

National Corn Growers Association President, Kevin Ross said, "The Administration has chosen to move forward with a final rule that corn farmers believe falls short of adequately addressing the demand destruction caused by EPA's abuse of RFS refinery waivers. While using the Department of Energy recommendations to account for waivers is an improvement over the status qup, it is now on corn farmers to hold the Administration to their commitment of a minimum of 15 billion gallon volume, as the law requires. We will use future rulemakings and other opportunities to hold the EPA accountable."

Read the full story here .
Ammonia Emissions
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation publicized a model on Ammonia Emissions, that was performed by North Caroline State University. This model provided data on a hypothetical chicken industry on Delmarva by creating assumptions without approaching the Delmarva Poultry Industry or members. When the researchers limited air monitoring on Delmarva, they recorded the highest levels of ammonia in a city and at a waterfront point close to Southern Maryland.

Read full story here .
Maryland Farm Bureau Convention
December 9th and 10th, Maryland Farm Bureau gathered for their annual meeting. During the 104th Convention Maryland Young Farmers packed 5,000 meals for families in need and donated them to the Maryland Food Bank. Later, Mary-Lou Brown was recognized as the first-ever recipient of the Agri-Woman of the Year award. And as policy was discussed and passed, three new officers were slated to serve Maryland Farm Bureau.

President: Wayne Stafford, Cecil County
First Vice President: John Draper, Queen Anne’s County
Second Vice President: Jonathan Quinn, Kent County
Upcoming Events/Dates
  • Monthly Ag Issues/Grain Marketing Meeting
  • At the Queen Anne’s County Extension Office in Centreville, stop by the monthly meeting on January 7th at 7:30 AM. Discussion on trade, upcoming events, and new topics will occur.
  • Delaware Ag Week
  • From January 13th to 16th stop by the Delaware state fair grounds in Harrington for the 2020 Delaware Ag Week. Topics will touch on poultry and beef production, on farm research, agronomy, precision agriculture/irrigation, risk management, and soil health.
  • For more information, click here.
  • Taste of Maryland Dinner
  • The 50th Annual Taste of Maryland Agriculture Celebration will be held Thursday, February 6, 2020 at Michael's 8th Avenue in Glen Burnie.
  • For more information, click here.
  • Women in Ag Conference
  • On February 12th and 13th at Dover Down Hotel and Casino the annual Women in AG Conference will take place. For room reservations at the discounted rate, reserve by January 13th.
  • Register here.
  • National Commodity Classic
  • Commodity classic is around the corner. Check the schedule and fly out to San Antonio this February! We will be there from the 26th to the 29th.
  • The agenda can be found here.
  • Delmarva Soil Summit
  • In Georgetown, Delaware the 2nd Annual Delmarva Soil Summit will take place. On February 26th and 27th Steve Groff, Ray Weil and may others will be presenting. Topics will cover diverse cover crop species and mixes, research results and equipment.
  • For more information, click here.
Scholarships
  • America's Farmers Grow Ag Leaders Scholarship
  • Sponsored by Bayer, more than 350 scholarships totaling more than $500,000 will be awarded to students across the United States in 2020. Students enrolling in careers in any agricultural-related field of student are able to apply. The deadline to apply is January 15th.
  • Apply here.
  • Maryland Farm Bureau
  • For the 2020 to 2021 academic year, Maryland Farm Bureau is offering five $2,000 scholarships. The applicant or their guardians must be members of Maryland Farm Bureau. Scholarships are available to those enrolled in college working towards a degree. Applications must be received by February 10th.
  • Apply here.
  • Mid-Atlantic Certified Crop Advisers
  • Are you or someone you know enrolled in an agronomy related program? Be sure to apply for one of the two $1,000 scholarships from Mid-Atlantic CCA! Applications are due March 6th. Recipients will also get to take the CCA Exam after graduation, free of cost.
  • Apply here.
Internships
  • Russ Brinsfield Internship Program
  • The Russ Brinsfield Internship Program is a collaboration between the Hughes Center and the University of Maryland Agriculture Law Education Initiative. Law and undergraduate students interested in agriculture, environmental conservation, forestry, and/or policy are welcome to apply. Two students will be selected for this residential internship, which includes a competitive salary and free housing located at the Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown, Maryland. Applications are due January 21, 2020. For more information and to apply, click here.
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Log in now by clicking here . Partner code: NCGA2

For more information, click here .
Created By: Jenell Eck
Programs and Public Relations Director
jenell.mdag@gmail.com

Please contact for questions.