Commodity Classic This Thursday! Our 2020 Commodity Classic will be held virtually this year to keep everyone safe. We hope you tune in from your mobile device, tablet, or computer. Everyone is welcome to attend, free of cost, from their home, office, or even tractor! View our sponsors and agenda here.

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Crop Progress Report Maryland barley harvest is complete and wheat harvest is 87% picked. Corn has started tassling with 8% progress. Below is our corn crop condition. 8% Very Poor 13% Poor 28% Fair 42% Good 9% Excellent Read the latest progress report by USDA here. Read University of Maryland's July Agronomy News here. Nebraska panhandle wheat harvest is underway. Yields are averaging mid-40s, test weight 61 lbs, and protein of 9% to 11.5%. Read more here. Kansas wheat harvest has finalized with an overall bushel intake lower, read the full report here.

Market and Trade Update US and Japan Expansion of organic equivalence arrangement to include livestock products has been announced between the US and Japan. This went into affect yesterday, July 16th. Read more here. Kenya - FTA The US and Kenya began free trade negotiations. In 2018, the US total exports of agricultural products to Kenya totaled $27 million. Read more here. Corn Purchased! The first week in July, China purchased 407,200 Metric Tons of 2019 crop corn while Mexico purchased 122 thousands metric tons of new crop. This past week, China made the 4th largest single day purchase ever recorded by USDA. Old crop sales reached 981 thousands metric tons with China at 786 thousands of those tons. New crops sales clocked in at 655 thousand metric tons, with China purchasing 600 thousands. New sorghum crop was purchased, totaling 137 Metric Tons. Top 5 Old and New Crop Customers as of Now (tonnage to unknown destinations, not included)

Old Crop Mexico - 14,293,700 MT Japan - 9,648,100 MT Colombia - 4,482,600 MT South Korea - 2,568,700 MT China - 2,126,100 MT

New Crop China - 3,717,000 MT Mexico - 1,831,900 MT Japan - 720,500 MT Guatemala - 158,300 MT Panama - 95,700 MT

View July 14th Maryland Grain Bids here. Read the 2020 NCGA Mid-Year Report here. CFAP - Grain Assistance On July 9th, CFAP added 40 commodities to be eligible for the program. Applications are due August 28th. Contact your local FSA office for more information, submit applications, and for questions.

We Are Here for YOU Stay safe and healthy! If there is anything we can do for you, we want to hear from you. It is best to contact our cell phones or emails. We will continue to have one person in the office during normal business hours. Lindsay Thompson, lindsay.mdag@gmail.com, Executive Director Jenell Eck, jenell.mdag@gmail.com, Programs and Public Relations Director Marguerite Guare, marguerite.mdag@gmail.com, Administration 443-262-8491

NEWS/FARMER RESOURCES

Cover Crops Cover crop application must be post marked TODAY. Be sure to have it turned in. Most district offices have a drop box at the door as well. The Soil Health Partnership releases a cover crop planting report. Of those who planted cover crops, 25% interseeded or overseeded into a standing cash crop. And 53% of farmers planted a mix or two or more species. View the full report here.

Storing Grain This Summer? The goal for summer storage should be to keep the grain as cool as possible to extend the storage life and limit insect activity. North Dakota State University of Extension shares helpful tips and recommendations to keep your grain in a good condition. Read the article here.

Maryland Ice Cream Trail / Buy Local The 2020 Maryland's Best Ice Cream Trail is open! Ten Maryland Creameries are featured. Read more about this event and how to participate here. Maryland Buy Local Week will be next week - July 18th to 26th - to support Maryland farms and encourage citizens to take the Buy Local Challenge. MDA will be sharing local recipes on their social media next week, keep an eye out. To read more on this event, click here.

Animal Ag Allies The animal agriculture alliance launched the Animal Ag Allies program. Participants must enroll by August 7th. This program provides opportunities for networking, training, and a private forum to discuss engagement strategies and emerging issues. Modules will be available online and may be completed at one's own pace. Learn more about this great program here.

Campbell Soup - Wheat Sustainability The Campbell Soup Company has reached its goal to improve fertilizer use on 70,000 acres of wheat a year a head of schedule. Specifically in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, partners enrolled 10,000 acres. Read more here.

Ag Talks Series The NCGA joined Farmers for Free Trade and others to announced that they would joint launch a series of town hall discussions focused on the future of agriculture. The first event will be on July 30th. More information can be found here .

Dairy and Beef - Diet A recent study found that overall Americans need more dairy in their diets, with 88% of them falling short of the recommended three servings per day. Milk is a nutrient-rich beverage with potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins A and D. Read more here . Furthermore, Beef is a wholesome and nutritious food. The 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is seeking public comment until August 13th before finalizing the guidelines. Read more here .

Dill - Wastewater Treatment Plant Irrigation In Kent County, a local farmer uses the local wastewater treatment plant to irrigate his fields. The treated wastewater travels two miles to irrigate 74 acres. In 2019, there was 15 million gallons used with 400 total pounds of nitrogen measured due to the filtration system. Read more here.

NCGA Elects Five Members - Corn Board Delegates elected five farmers to serve on the Corn Board this past Wednesday. These members will take office on October 1st. Read more about these members and their duties here.

Created By: Jenell Eck Programs and Public Relations Director jenell.mdag@gmail.com www.marylandgrain.org Please contact with any questions.

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