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Market and Trade News

  • Record North African drought, drives wheat imports higher, more here.
  • Total U.S. Soy exports add $39.8 billion to U.S. economy, more here.
  • Two separate world events are creating global transit chokepoints, here.
  • The European Union appears ready to facilitate the approval gene-edited crops, more here.
  • The strong El Nino is now starting to weaken and will likely be gone by late spring 2024, here.
  • A combination of climate, conflict, and currency values are factors in cost competitiveness that impacts transits and overall U.S. corn exports, here.
Top News Stories

MDA - Deer Management Initiative

The Maryland Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources announced a new initiative that will connect farmers with hunters in an effort to address deer damage on agricultural land. The goal of the new initiative is to teach deer management techniques to reduce the negative impact of deer overpopulation and loss caused by deer eating crops. Full press release here.

Dicamba Court Order Puts Farmers in Immediate, Costly Bid

The American Soybean Association and 26 soy state affiliates have sent a letter to EPA asking the administration for help following a dicamba ruling in a federal district court in Arizona. The court ruled EPA made a procedural error in issuing 2020 dicamba registration for over-the-top (OTT) use on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. Because EPA did not offer a public notice and comment period before issuing the registrations, the court ruled the agency was violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and vacated 2020 registration for XtendiMax, Engina, and Tavium. Read more here.


Steve Ernst on Maryland Farm and Harvest

Maryland Grain Producer Utilization Board President, Steve Ernst was featured on Maryland Farm and Harvest this week. Steve and his children grow grain and operate a feed store. Learn more about them here.


Cost-Share to Test Products Available

The Mid-Atlantic 4R Association is offering cost-share enhanced nutrient management practices. Cost-share of $20 per acre is available for testing biofertilizer products or adding an additional split of nitrogen. Agribusinesses are eligible to receive $500 per farmer for providing technical assistance to the farmer and delivering data for economic analysis. More here.

Annual Implementation Reports due March 1

The MDA is reminding farmers that the deadline to submit Annual Implementation Reports outlining nutrient applications made in calendar year 2023 in March 1, 2024. Our team has noticed a delay in mailing the AIR this year, if you have not received it at this time, please contact your local office. 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

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

Elaine Draper, thompsonagconsulting@gmail.com, Administrative Assistant

How do Agronomic Choices Affect Tar Spot Severity


The spectrum of N application rates had no significant effect on disease development at any trial location across both years. However, hybrid susceptibility was demonstrated to have a strong significant effect at all locations. Plant population density had a significant effect on disease development, with higher planting densities resulting in less disease development. Read more online here.

NCC Highlights Chicken Industry's Efforts to Reduce Food Waste


In comments submitted to the EPA, the National Chicken Council outlines the many ways in which chicken producers reduce food waste, recycle byproducts, and utilize products that would otherwise be destined for landfills. Furthermore, several current and pending regulatory policies either do or would contribute to food waste in the chicken industry, and NCC is urging FDA and USDA to reevaluate these policies. Read more about the comments here.

Big Oil Embraces Corn as Former Foes United Against EV Threat


After decades of battling against more ethanol going into U.S. cars, Big Oil is joining Big Agriculture in a push to expand use of corn-based biofuel. The longtime foes are increasingly finding common ground as the growth of electric vehicles threatens to slash gasoline demand. Fossil-fuel giants are also ramping up investment in renewable fuels in a bid to capture government incentives aimed at cutting emissions and curbing climate changes. Full story here.


NCGA sent a letter signed by 3,466 farmers from across the country was sent to President Biden today expressing concern that his administration is taking a short-sighted approach to addressing climate change by prioritizing the use of electric vehicles over biofuels, such as corn ethanol, as it works to drastically lower the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. More here.

AFT Releases New Paper on the Climate Benefits of Ag Conservation Easements


American Farmland Trust (AFT) released a white paper summarizing the climate benefits associated with agricultural conservation easements. The paper comes when global attention is focused on addressing climate change on the heels of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai last December. More here.

Organic No-Till? How a Maryland Farm Does It


At Mason's Heritage Farm in Queen Anne's County, cover crops are just as important as corn and soybeans, and then some. Having the ability to do organic no-till requires the right mix of cover crops and the tools to do the job. More here.

The 2024 Legislative Session has kicked off. Maryland Grain Producers Association has been hard at work preparing for session and will represent grain farmers best interest. If you are not a member of the Association, it's not too late to join. Funds will be used effectively in Annapolis this year. Your membership dollar's count.

HB447/SB440 - Income Tax Credit - Venison Donation

Sponsored by Delegate Ziegler

Allowing an individual, subject to certain requirements and limitation, to claim a credit against the State income tax for certain qualified expenses if the individual harvests an antlerless deer and donates the deer meat to certain organizations; and requiring by January 31 each year, each venison donation program that received certain donations to report to the Comptroller the name and address of donors intending to claim the tax credit and the number of deer donated by each donor claiming the credit.

Hearing - 2/8 at 1:00 PM

MGPA Supports

HB638 - State Transfer Tax - Rates and Distribution of Revenue

Sponsored by Delegate Ruth

Altering the State transfer tax rate and the distribution of State transfer tax revenue.

Hearing - 2/13 at 1:00 PM

MGPA Opposes

HB481/SB367 - Natural Resources - Antlerless Deer Hunting Program

Sponsored by Senator Mautz & Delegate Hutchinson

Authorizing a person to receive a raffle ticket for each antlerless deer hunted by the person during a certain raffle program that has as its objective the hunting of anterless deer.

Hearing - 2/13 & 2/16 at 1:00 PM

MGPA Supports

HB497/SB508 - Hunting - Nonresident Sika Deer Stamp

Sponsored by Senator Bailey & Delegate Hornberger

Altering the fee for nonresident sika deer stamps from $25 to $100.

Hearing - 2/13 & 2/16 at 1:00 PM

MGPA Will Monitor

HB357/SB193 - Agriculture - Confinement of Egg-Laying Hens

Sponsored by Delegate Terrasa & Senator Lewis-Young

Prohibiting a certain farm owner or operator from knowingly confining egg-laying hens in an enclosure in a certain manner, subject to certain exceptions, on and after January 1, 2026; prohibiting a business owner or operator or a farm owner or operator from selling shell eggs or egg products under certain circumstances on and after January 1, 2026; and specifying that a certain certification be obtained in a certain manner to sell shell eggs and egg products.

Hearing - 2/14 at 1:00 PM

MGPA Opposes

HB640/SB869 - Property Tax - Improvements on Agricultural Land

Sponsored by Delegate Ziegler & Senator Guzzone

Clarifying a property owner's right to receive information on the calculation of an assessment; requiring owners of certain buildings to provide certain information to the supervisor of assessments within 90 days after construction of the buildings is completed; creating a subclass of real property consisting of improvements on agricultural land; requiring improvements on agricultural land to be assessed in a certain manner; etc.

Hearing - 2/20 at 1:00 PM

MGPA Working on Amendments

SB956/HB1153 - Environment - Water Pollution Control - Protecting State Waters from PFAS Pollution

Sponsored by Senator Hester

Establishing the discharge limit for PFAS chemicals in any water, including stormwater, discharged from a significant industrial use to be 4 parts per trillion; requiring a significant industrial user to reduce PFAS chemicals from the water it discharges to a publicly owned treatment works in a certain manner; requiring a significant industrial user to store, reuse, and dispose of certain PFAS chemicals in a certain manner; etc.

Hearing - 2/20 at 1:00 PM

MGPA Will Monitor

HB24/SB96 - Environment - Impact of Environmental Permits and State Agency Actions

Sponsored by Delegate Boyce & Senator Jackson

Requiring the Department of the Environment to conduct a climate and environmental equity evaluation regarding the impact of issuing an approval for certain environmental permits; requiring the Department to provide opportunities for residents of the State to opt in to text, phone, e-mail, or regular mail notifications regarding any facility with a pending or final permit approval in or adjacent to the resident's census tract; altering certain reporting requirements for certain State agencies; etc.

Hearing - 2/21 at 1:00 PM

MGPA Will Monitor

HB631 - Natural Resources - Protection of Beaver Population and Habitat

Sponsored by Delegate Allen

Authorizing a county, notwithstanding a certain provision of law, to enact a local law to promote, protect, and support the population and habitat of beavers in the county.

Hearing - 2/21 at 1:00 PM

MGPA Will Monitor

HB778 - Natural Resources - Sunday Hunting - Migratory Game Birds

Sponsored by Delegate Hornberger

Authorizing a person to hunt migratory game birds on Sundays.

Hearing - 2/21 at 1:00 PM

MGPA Opposed

HB228/SB259 - Natural Resources - Maryland State Parks - Funds and Plan Alterations

Sponsored by E&T Committee Chair

Extending the date by which the Park System Critical Maintenance Fund must be expended to July 1, 2029; authorizing the Park System Capital Improvements and Acquisition Fund to be used for State projects on lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources for public purposes; altering the allowable uses of funds for the initial allocation to the Park System Capital Improvements and Acquisition Fund; authorizing the Great Maryland Outdoors Funds to be used for promoting outdoor environmental education in the State; etc.

Hearing - 2/22 at 1:00 PM

MGPA Supports

Crop Production Meetings


Harford County Mid-Winter Agronomy Meeting - February 20th - More here.

Central MD Agronomy Meeting - February 21st - More here

Mid-Shore Agronomy Meeting - February 22nd - More here.

Queen Anne's Agronomy Day - March 1st - More here.

Mid-Atlantic Women in Ag


The conference goals are to provide women involved in agriculture an opportunity to come together to learn about current issues and topics so they can make informed decisions concerning their agribusinesses and family lives. Starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:30 PM with a light breakfast and lunch. Register for the February 15th event in Stevensville, here.

2024 Annie's Project Course


This course is a discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing and the legal field. The class started February 21st, and will be held in-person for six consecutive Wednesdays. There is an online version available. More information can be found online here.

Giant Miscanthus Production on Marginal Land


The University of Maryland Extension is having an outdoor event on February 21st in Vienna, MD on growing giant miscanthus as a perennial alternative crop in Maryland. Register by contacting Sarah Hirsh at shirsh@umd.edu or 410-651-1350.

Commodity Classic


America's largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience will be held February 28th to March 2nd at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. Register online here. The annual CornPac auction will be held at the convention. Find tickets online here.

Class A CDL Grant


To assist farmers with the financial burden now associated with the classes required to obtain a CDL for themselves and or their employees, a $1,500 grant will be awarded to two applicants. Apply online by March 1st, learn more here.

Mid-Atlantic Certified Crop Advisers Scholarship


The 2024 scholarship is available for undergraduate students studying agronomy, plant science, soil science, or an agriculture-related degree. Two scholarships are available for $1,000 each. Applications are due online by February 16, 2024. More here.

1890 National Scholars Program


USDA is accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue food and agriculture career paths. The application deadline is March 1, 2024. The program is available to eligible high school seniors entering their freshman year of college as well as rising college sophomores and juniors. More here.

MD Farm Bureau Announces $10,000 in Scholarships


Maryland Farm Bureau is delighted to announce the availability of five $2,000 scholarships for the upcoming academic year. These scholarships aim to support the educational pursuits of our dedicated young members committed to making a difference in agricultural related disciplines. Applications are due March 22nd, more information can be found online here.

MAEF Opens 2024 Academic & Seibel Scholarships


The Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation (MAEF) is now accepting applications for the 2024 Academic and Seibel Scholarships. The recipients of the MAEF Academic Scholarship will receive $1,500 in support of their academic achievements and pursuit of a career in agricultural or Extension education. Qualified candidates should complete and submit their online application by March 25, 2024. More online here.

Delmarva Chicken Association Scholarship


DCA is offering undergraduate scholarships of $2,000 and graduate scholarships of $3,000. Applications must be submitted by March 29, 2024. Learn more here.

Created By: Jenell Eck McHenry | jenell.mdag@gmail.com

Please contact us with any questions.
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