Market and Trade News

• Beer consumption in the U.S. has slid its way to the lowest level since 1970s, more here.
• U.S. wheat production for 24/25 is up 9%, more here.
• This year's fall harvest is expected to be bountiful, more here.
• The ports are open, and the union suspended its strike until Jan 15th, here.
• U.S. Reps urging government to engage with new Mexico president, here.
• Yeutter Institute looks at Chinese tariffs and imports here.
• USDA reports 43% corn harvested, and winter wheat planted, more here.

Top News

Slug Damage Survey

The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board is conducting a Slug Damage Survey to better understand the scope of slug damage experienced in the 2024 growing season and inform our research priorities moving forward. Please take the time to full out this survey to help our research be as impactful as possible.

$250M in Financial Assistance for Distressed Farm Loan Borrowers

The USDA announced an additional $250 million in automatic payments for distressed direct and guaranteed farm loan borrowers. The significant step continues USDA's commitment to keeping farmers and ranchers financially viable and support for agricultural commodities. Read more here.

MDFB Urges Motorists to Share the Road During Harvest Season

The Maryland Farm Bureau launched a new video public service announcement to raise awareness about rural road safety. Be sure to share it on your social media channels. Watch it here.

Final Route for MD Piedmont Reliability Project Coming

The route taken by the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a proposed 70-mile transmission line through Carroll, Frederick, and Baltimore counties, will be announced in mid-October. The public Service Enterprise Group has been contracted to install the $424 million project. Read more here.

Cost-Share Grants Available for Fall Manure Transport and Injection

MDA is reminding farmers that cost-share funding is available to help cover expenses associated with hauling all types of manure of fall-planted crop fields with acceptable soil phosphorus levels. All fall manure transport and injection projects must be completed by December 15th. Claims for payment should be submitted to the department's Conservation Grants Office by January 15th. More here.

Are you ready to vote?

• Make sure you are registered to vote. You can check at https://vote.gov/.
• Research candidates. Take a look at candidates' websites and social media pages to learn more about their backgrounds and beliefs. Attending candidate forums or tuning into debates are other great ways to familiarize yourself with the folks on the ticket.
• Make a plan to vote. You can go in person, request a mail-in ballot, or vote early. Whatever your preference, be sure to make a plan.

Join Us and Support Wheat Growers and in 2024 sWHEATstakes

Buy a $100 ticket to win one of these great prizes - 2024 F-350 Lariat Pickup, 2024 Polaris Adventure Side by Side, 2024 John Deere Zero Turn Mower, or $5,000 cash. All proceeds go to support the National Wheat Foundation's charitable and education efforts, learn more online here. Maryland Grain Producers has tickets available if interested contact Elaine Draper at 443-262-8491.

Find September Agronomy News 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

Council Conducts Feed Mill Study

The U.S. Grains Council is conducting a study analyzing the performance of U.S. corn in feed milling when compared to corn of other origins. The study released passed the lab analysis phase and is now in the process of developing trials in Latin America. The Council is beginning the second phase of this study, through commercial trials, primarily with feed mills in LTA and Grabois. Read more online here.

It's Report Card Time: Check Your Corn Roots

If you have a field or an area of the field that's underperforming, you should get out a shovel and investigate. As the close of the growing season nears, the roots act as a final report card. When digging up corn roots late in the season sample several areas of the field, including an area that's high yielding, lower yielding, and average yielding. Read more about corn root checks here.

EPA Proposes to Expand Public Access to Information of PFAS

The EPA is proposing to add 16 individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 15 PFAS categories representing more than 100 individual PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory. It would designate them as chemicals of special concern so they must meet more robust reporting requirements, including reporting even for small concentrations. Read more online here.

Hurricane Helene Devastates Rural Southeast

With over 225 lives lost and many other still missing, Hurrican Helene's devastation will cast a long shadow over affected communities. Read about the potential damage and analysis by American Farm Bureau online here.

NCI Market Update with Allison Thompson

On Wednesday, October 16th NCI is having their Market Update webinar with Allison Thompson. Allison is a Commodity Broker/Market Analyst at The Money Farm. Allison will discuss the WASDE for key agricultural products. Register to tune in at 9:00 AM here.

Listening Sessions - Statewide Animal Feed Operations Permit

MDE announced a series of listening sessions this fall to receive public input on the next version of a statewide general permit that regulates animal feeding operations. One session remains for October 21st in Frederick. Learn more online here.

North East Sare Grant

Farmer Rancher Grants provide opportunities for farmers to solve problems on the farm using innovative sustainable agriculture practices. Grants requests can be up to $30,000 and projects must be completed within 3 years. Applications are due November 12th and can be found here.

Mid-Atlantic Management Crop School

The 2024 Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School is November 19th to 21st in Ocean City, Maryland. Registration is now open! Register by October 25th for the early bird discount. Register online here.

Maryland Farm Bureau Convention

The Annual Convention and Meeting of Delegates is taking place December 7th through the 10th at the Hyatt Chesapeake in Cambridge. Be sure to register by November 22nd. Register online here.

Cultivating Innovation in Maryland's Agriculture and Technology

Join UME on December 12th in Annapolis, MD for a full day conference filled with exploration into the technologies transforming the agriculture sector. Learn more about the agenda and register here.

2025 Commodity Classic

First schedule is out! This year's event will take place in Denver, Colorado and will begin on Sunday, March 2nd. Save the date and view the agenda here.