Market and Trade News

• NCGA applauds U.S. House members for introducing a bill ensuring consumer access to E15, check it out here.
• Approximately 67% of U.S. corn production is within an area experiencing drought according to the latest Drought Monitor report, here.
• Australia is expecting another record wheat crop, more here.
• December's WASDE report can be found here.
• Check out the latest grain bids online here.

Winter Ban Begins Today

The winter ban on spreading manure and other nutrient sources on cropland begins today. Farmers may resume spreading on March 1st as long as fields are not saturated, snow-covered, or hard-frozen. Full press release here.

Vilsack Threatens USMCA Dispute over Mexico's GM Corn Decree

Ag Secretary said that the U.S. is prepared to call for a dispute resolution panel under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement unless Mexico backs off its plan to bar at least some U.S. exports of biotech corn. It seems that Mexico may postpone the implementation of the decree by a year to January 2025. Read the full story here.

Corn Yield Contest Demonstrates Farmer's Ingenuity, Resilience

U.S. farmers not only planted and harvested a large crop successfully in 2022, but they also rolled out some impressive yields in the National Corn Yield Contest despite an array of weather challenges. Congratulations to FIVE Maryland growers who ranked Nationally and to all those who entered for a job well done! More here.

National Winners

• No-Till Non-Irrigated, 1st Place - Drew Haines with 384.8 bu/A
• Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till, Non-Irrigated, 1st Place - Andrew Rigdon with 324.9 bu/A
• Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till, Non-Irrigated, 2nd Place - John Rigdon with 324.7 bu/A
• No-Till, Irrigated, 2nd Place - Chad Rigdon with 324 bu/A
• Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till, Irrigated, 3rd Place - Temple Rhodes with 344.9 bu/A

2022 State Winners, page 17

CNBC covers U.S. corn earlier this month and talks about subsidies, view it below.

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

A Look at the Ins and Outs of Washington in 2022

2022 has been an incredibly busy year with many interesting twists and turns along the way. As 2022 draws to a close and the mid-term election is all but wrapped up, NCGA is beginning to gain clarity on what will be in and out as we enter the new year. Check the report out here.

UMD To Lead Effort to Bolster U.S. Ag with Satellite Data

In a new partnership between NASA and the University of Maryland, researchers in the Department of Geographical Sciences have been tapped to lead a five-year, $15 million consortium to turn satellite data into down-to-earth, actionable information to support agriculture in the United States. Learn more online here.

Maryland's Healthy Soils Competitive Fund

MDA will begin accepting applications for its new Healthy Soils Competitive Fund on January 3rd. If you have an innovative conservation idea for your farm, check this program out. It provides financial assistance to qualifying farmers who adopt conservation practices that provide soil, water, and climate benefits. More here.

MFB Delegates Make Quick Work to Revise Policy

Moving at a brisk pace, Maryland Farm Bureau delegates discussed and approved several new policy revisions and resolutions during the group's annual convention on December 5-6th. The updated policy will aid the group's leaders and members in advocacy at the state and national levels. Read the full story online here.

Mark Your Calendar - UM Winter Crop Production Meetings

Save the date for the following agronomy meetings this winter. More information and registration can be found by contacting your local extension office.

• Delaware Ag Week - Jan 9th - 12th - more here.
• Carroll County Mid-Winter Meeting - Jan 12th - call 410-386-2760.
• Lower Shore Agronomy Day - Jan 24th - more here.
• Cecil County Winter Agronomy Meeting - Jan 26th - more here.
• Harford County Mid-Winter Meeting - Feb 14th - call 410-638-3255.
• Mid-Shore Agronomy Meeting - Feb 22nd
• Queen Anne's Agronomy Meeting - Mar 3rd - more here.
• Howard County Mid-Winter Ag Meeting - TBD

Grain Marketing Update

Join the University of Maryland for a virtual grain marketing update on January 6th starting at 9:00 AM. View the agenda and register here.

Ag Law Workshops

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) will host two one-day workshops on January 26th in Boonesboro and January 31st at Chesapeake College. The So You Want to Own Farmland in Maryland workshops will be from 9:3 AM to 3:30 PM. More information can be found here.

Commodity Classic

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

Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement

Horizon Farm Credit is offering $10,000 scholarships to students pursuing a career in agriculture. Applications are due January 6, 2023. Learn more online here.

Future Ag Leader Scholarship

Bayer Fund is excited to once again partner with National FFA to offer ag students the opportunity to receive a $1,500 Grow Ag Leaders scholarship. Applications are now open and being accepted until January 12th. More information can be found here.

Maryland Grain Producers Scholarship 

The Maryland Grain Producers has three different scholarships this year. Applications are due January 31st. More information and eligibility requirements can be found here.

• Three $3,000 scholarships to MGPA members studying for a 2 or 4-year degree. 
• Two $2,000 scholarships to MGPA members studying for a 2 or 4-year degree. 
• Two $1,000 scholarships for non-GMPA members studying agriculture in a 2 or 4-year program. 

National Corn Growers Association Scholarship

NCGA is proud to support three scholarship programs for three distinct audiences. Technical School/Community College, Academic Excellence, and Graduate Students. Applications are currently open and due January 31st. Learn more online here.

Mid-Atlantic CCA Scholarship

The 2023 scholarship application is currently open! Applications are due February 24th. This year, the Mid-Atlantic Certified Crop Advisers are offering two scholarships up to $1,000 each and financial assistance to take the CCA Exam free of cost, following graduation. Learn more and apply online here.

Mountaire Farm to Table Scholarship

Mountaire is offering a new "Farm to Table" scholarship for high school seniors with a passion for agriculture, the culinary arts, or related fields which support food production and feeding the world. Each month two students will be awarded and featured, nominations are ongoing and can be found online here.