• Taiwan Flour Millers Association signed a Letter of Intent with USW to purchase 69.8 million bushels over the next two years, more here.
• Drought taking a toll on Argentina wheat, more here.
• Freight rates of dry bulk fertilizer are riding rough seas. Read the full impact online here. 
• Hogan is currently on his seventh and final overseas economic development mission, hoping to sign a memorandum of understanding, more here.
• U.S Wheat Associate's weekly harvest report can be found here.
• Check out the latest grain bids online here.

Maryland Crop Progress/Condition 

• Corn | 45% Mature | 7% Harvested | 92% Above Fair Condition

Tar Spot Found in Maryland Corn Fields

The initial case was reported from a tissue sample collected from a Harford County farm on August 19th. Since, Tar Spot has been reported in several locations in Harford County and one instance in Cecil County. Read more to understand the potential impact of Tar Spot here. 

Rail Agreement

Wheat growers applaud the tentative agreement reached between the railroads and the rail union representatives that averts a rail shutdown ahead of Friday's deadline. The agreement provides rail employees a 25% wage increase during the five-year period, while also paying out an immediate $11,000 upon adoption. Read more on the rail impact here. 

Climate-Smart Commodities

USDA is committed to supporting an adverse range of farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners through Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. Recently announced USDA is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 selected projects under the first pool. Second funding pool projects will be announced later this year. More information can be found here.

NCGA and others were allocated $95 million to help farmers accelerate cover crop adoptions.

Reducing Carbon Emissions and Increasing Sustainability

Bayer announced a groundbreaking regenerative farming collaboration with Perdue AgriBusiness aimed at large-scale carbon emission reductions and creating a model for a more sustainable food value chain spanning across Perdue's entire grain network. The new ForGround platform leverages the strengths and scale of both organizations to create a blueprint for businesses to assess their carbon footprint and rapidly scale up their ability to reduce Scope 3 emissions. Read more here. 

We Are Here for YOU

Lindsay Thompson, lindsay.mdag@gmail.com, Executive Director

Jenell Eck McHenry, jenell.mdag@gmail.com, Programs and PR Director

Marguerite Guare, marguerite.mdag@gmail.com, Administration

Jennifer Gannon, jennifer.mdag@gmail.com, Programs and PR Assistant

National Envirothon

Students from Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville finished second in the recent national Envirothon for high school students across the US, Canada, and China. Congratulations to the five-student team who finished second in the nation! Learn more about the competition here.

Innovative Anaerobic Digester Facility

Bioenergy Devco is a company planning to open an innovative anaerobic digester facility on the Delmarva for chicken processing waste and chicken litter. A virtual public information session will be held on September 28th at 6:00 PM, more here. There will also be a public hearing on October 26th scheduled by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, more here. 

Deere Future Technology

Deere aims to extend its dominance to software to boost the productivity of their machines and agriculture. They are rolling out self-driving tractors capable of plowing fields and sprayers that distinguish weeds from crops. Read more here. 

Valley Proteins -$1 M in Penalties

Following multiple pollution violations, Dorchester County industrial poultry rendering facility Valley Proteins agreed to pay $1 M to settle a lawsuit by the state and a local environmental group. The suit alleged the facility had repeatedly discharged ammonia, phosphorus, and other pollutants into the Transquaking River for over a year. Read more here.

Sludge Tank Debate

The Wicomico County Council introduced a bill that could severely limit, if not ban, sludge tanks in the county. The proposed bill ranges from banning future open-air sludge tanks or simply stipulating where they can be placed after a number of residents complained of noxious small, medical issues, and longstanding community safety concerns. More information can be found here.

Chesapeake Ag Innovative Center launching Start-up Help

An Eastern Shore organization dedicated to agricultural innovation is launching two programs aimed at establishing and growing value-added food operations in the region. The free program offers multi-week courses, one-on-one mentoring, and workshops to lead producers through the process of launching a value-added food business. Learn more here.

State Fair Thrives After Expanding To Three Weekends

Changing to a three-long weekend format proved success, the Maryland State Fair announced. The fair said the new format and the great weather were integral components for the 16% increase in attendance, increase in livestock exhibits, and all-time gross income reached by the fair's carnival. Read more about the 2022 Maryland State Fair here. 

Golf with DCA

The Delmarva Chicken Association will have its annual college scholarship golf tournament on Thursday, October 6th on the War Admiral course in Berlin, MD. Early bird registration of $125 per person or $500 per foursome ends August 31st. Registration will close by September 23rd. Register here. 

Maryland Farm Bureau Fall Webinar Series

In partnership with DE and PA Farm Bureau, enjoy a webinar every Wednesday at 7:00 PM starting October 5th and ending November 2nd. More information can be found online here.

Commodity Classic

The 2023 Commodity Classic will be held March 9-11, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. Registration will be open in mid-November. Find the schedule of events and more information here.

Feed Your Future Scholarship

AgCareers.com is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a student pursuing a degree in an agriculture related field or intend to have a career in agriculture. Applications are open now, until October 31, 2022. Learn more or apply here.