Market and Trade News

• The U.S. Wheat weekly harvest reports have begun with 14% of Alabama cut, more here.
• USDA reports provides the first look into the 2023/24 crop year, more here.
• Check out the latest grain bids online here.

Maryland Crop Progress

• 94% of Maryland corn is emerged
• Barley is 100% fair or in better condition
• Wheat is 99% fair or in better condition
• The webpage can be found here.

Supreme Court - Sackett Case

On May 25th the U.S. Supreme Court handed a huge win to landowers, including farmers, in a case involved the US EPA jurisdiction over WOTUS. A 5-4 majority on the court issued an opinion, that significantly narrowed the definition of adjacent wetlands, saying that to be adjacent and therefore a WOTUS, the wetland must have a continuous surface connection to a relatively permanent body of water connected to a traditional navigable water. The case addressed the pre-2015 WOTUS definition, not the 2023 Rule. As a result the 2023 rule remains on the books but functionally EPA and the Corps cannot enforce it. NCGA's press release can be found here.

Revamped Small Grains Program Anticipates Commercializing Wheat Line

The University of Maryland is closing in on its first commercially-licensed wheat line since the program was rekindled four years ago, small grains breeder Dr. Vijay Tiwari told farmers and industry representatives on May 23rd. Tiwari's team used "speed breeding" to shave years off the development process by working in greenhouse settings which allowed four crosses a year using a controlled environment. Read more here.

MDA Pivots Towards a More Options-Driven NM Plan Writing Program

MDA announced a shift in its Nutrient Management Plan Writing Program that will focus on a new approach to education, training, and farmer empowerment. MDA's press release can be found here. The Maryland Grain Producers heard our farmers challenges in regards to the vacancies the University was facing, as they process about 30% of Maryland NM plans. We are committed to working with MDA to ensure that the needs of our members are met in order to continue to comply with the state's nutrient management regulations. Save the date for a Nutrient Management summit on July 17th. Information is forth coming.

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

New Right to Repair MOUs Bring Industry Coverage to 70%

The American Farm Bureau Federation signed two more memoranda of understanding with two agricultural equipment manufacturers, AGCO and Kubota, providing farmers and ranchers the right to repair their own farm equipment. With the four MOUs, they cover roughly 70% of the agricultural machinery sold in the U.S., read more here.

$13.6 Million Grants Boost TA for Farmers Adopting Cover Crops

The recent $13.6 million grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation marks a significant step forward for farmers who plan to enroll in the program later this year. The goal is to advance conservation practices to improve soil health across the U.S., including doubling cover crop acres in the U.S to 30 million acres by 2030. Learn more online here.

Summer Driving Season, Consumers Continue to Save with Ethanol

A comparison of pump prices from more than 550 retail stations during the past year shows drivers saved at least 25 cents per gallon with E15. Drivers looking for retailers offering E15 and other higher blends can use the Get Biofuel or E15/E85 Prices online. Full story here.

New Buoys to Track Dissolved Oxygen in the Bay every 10 Minutes

The data will come from three stations, each including a buoy and sensors that will track dissolved oxygen levels, temperature, and salinity at the surface and near the bottom of the Bay - as well as in the water in-between. These stations are a project of the Chesapeake Bay Program's Hypoxia Collaborative and were funded by the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act. Read more online here.

What does saltwater intrusion do to soil and how does it impact crops?

For years, Dr. Kate Tully, an associate professor of Agro-Ecology at the University of Maryland, and fellow scientists have examined how salt behaves in agroecosystems. When saltwater intrudes on agroecosystems, the soil is the first to fell its effects. More here.

Harvesting Solar Power with Minimal Impact on Crop Yield

Purdue University researchers have improved upon traditional solar energy structures used in agrivoltaic farming, a sustainable system that generates electricity from the sun while row crops like corn, rice, soybeans, and wheat concurrently grow on the same land. Read more here.

Scrap Tire Drop-Off Days

Going NOW until June 30th, Maryland Farm Bureau is partnering with the Maryland Department of the Environment for its annual scrap tire event. Locations and times vary, learn more here.

Organic Transition Initiative

The Organic Transition Initiative is a $300 million multi-agency USDA effort to support this transition and build and strengthen organic markets. Maryland farmers transitioning to organic certification should apply at their local USDA Service Center by June 19th to be considered for funding this year. Learn more here.

Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program & ERP Phase Two

PARP is here to assist eligible producers who experienced a revenue decrease in the calendar year 2020. Contact your local USDA's Farm Service Agency will for questions. Applications are due by July 14th, learn more here.

National Corn Yield Contest

The 2023 corn yield contest is currently accepting farms. The entry period closes on August 16th. Learn more here.

$500 Million for Improved Regional Conservation Partnership Program

RCPP leverages a voluntary approach to conservation that expands the reach of conservation efforts and climate-smart agriculture through public-private partnerships. Increased funding is made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. Applications are now being accepted through August 18th. Learn more here. If interested in a webinar about the program, join this Wednesday at 2:00, register here.

National Sorghum Yield Contest

Registration is currently open and closes on November 15th. Learn more here.