Applications are now being accepted for a second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Funding in available for corn, barley, and wheat harvested in 2020. Please contact your local office to apply. Applications are due to your local FSA office by December 11th. Learn more here.

The Maryland Grain Producers want to remind you about a handful of safety tips for this harvest season:

Read the full press release here.

Read the latest progress report by USDA here.

September 25th Weekly Harvest Report can be found here.

USDA lowered its estimate of the Iowa crop by 9% to 2.483 billion bushels due to 550,000 acres lost in the Derecho storm in August. Read the full story here.

U.S. Grains Council update for this week:

Top Five US 2020/2021 Corn Market

View our tariff calculations work here.

Brazil Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for ethanol has been extended for 90 days and a 20% tariff has been temporarily applied. Read more here.

With harvest season in full swing, we ask that you consider all safety measures as you travel to grain mills, dealerships, and other frequent travels. We wish you a bountiful harvest and a safe and healthy harvest season.

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

Pioneer has a 90-year history and brought farmers the first commercial hybrid seed corn in 1926. Pioneer works to innovate and push the limits to give farmers what they need to succeed.

Thank you for sponsoring the 2020 Maryland Commodity Classic.

US Wheat Associates has introduced the first digital map of the US wheat production and supply system as a visual planning tool for its overseas representatives and their customers. The map provides a geographical information system that their team of representatives can use to help the world's wheat buyers literally see where the wheat they are buying is from and how it can be transported to the export elevator. Learn more here.

Commonground hosted a virtual cooking class for consumers. Farmers were involved sharing how they grow the ingredients. Jennie Schmidt, Maryland farmer, volunteer, grain board member, and Registered Dietitian grows Roma tomatoes and shared information about her pesticide use. Read more about Commonground's virtual event here.

EPA rejected 54 of 68 pending past-year small refinery exemptions (RFEs) or waivers to oil refiners. However, 14 gap-year waivers remain under required review at the DOE. Read more about the denial of gap-year waivers here.

After serving as the US Deputy of Secretary of Agriculture since October 2017, the man who led the America Soybean Association for 21 years is returning to the helm of the grower group. Read the full story here.

EPA released its interim decision on the re-registration of atrazine, a product used annually on approximately 60% of US corn acres. Atrazine has undergone years of scientific studies and NCGA appreciates the EPA recognizing that it is a safe and effective tool for weed control. The triazine network estimates that continued availability of atrazine could save farmers up to $30/acre over switching to other alternatives. This announcement, does not end the review process as it must also undergo an Endangered Species Act review. Learn more here.

A decline in mushroom sales to the food service industry, thanks to COVID-19, has cut demand for poultry litter which is used to make the mushroom's growing medium. Read more here.

Tim Hushon, co-leader of the Decision Ag Solutions Program for The Mill in MD, demonstrated what an in-season decision tool can mean for a farm's bottom line during the company's recent crop showcase in White Hall, MD. Plots tested the use of nitrogen model, calculated nitrogen needs and recommended top-dress nitrogen rates. Learn more here.

USDA is funding infrastructure for organic grains with a $2 million grant over three years. The project will work to establish an organic industry for grains such as bread wheat, naked barley, emmer, and einkorn. Four goals touch on breeding, organic management, marketing, and outreach. Learn more here.

Legislation to transition to a higher octane fuel in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet future needs of more advanced vehicles. Establishing a new 98 RON standard for gasoline and requiring that sources of additional octane result in at least 30% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than unblended gasoline, will ensure the progress already made to lower emissions through cleaner renewable fuels continues. Read the full story here.

Evan Slack passed away on Saturday at the age of 86. His radio career spanned 68 years including most recently as owner of the Evan Slack Network based in Colorado. Through this network, Evan broadcasted from 45 states, 4 Canadian Provinces, and Australia. Read more here.

Join the Soil Health Partnership on September 29th as Keith Byerly walks through a step-by-step process for getting ready for harvest, specifically your yield monitor. Register here today.

Maryland ROTA is offering Mental Health First Aid for adults. Attend an instructor-led virtual workshop October 14th, 17th, 22nd, and 27th with dates in November and December as well. Learn more and register here.

MDA and University of Maryland Extension is offering a free zoom webinar on how to write a nutrient management place from Monday October 5th through Friday October 9th. There will be six continuing education credits awarded. Learn more about the program and register here.

From November 16th to 20th, attend the 2020 Mid Atlantic Crop Management School. Every day from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, earn CEU's! Registration is open now, register here! More information here.

The National Sorghum Foundation and BASF are pleased to announce a joint scholarship. Providing $2,500 scholarships to deserving students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in an agriculturally-related curriculum. Applications are due December 1st. Learn more here.

Farm Credit Foundation Scholarship

The Farm Credit Foundation is offering 10 scholarships worth $10,000 each to students planning to pursue a career in agriculture. Applications are due January 8th. More information can be found here.

Created By: Jenell Eck

Programs and Public Relations Director

Please contact with any questions.