- Brazil has temporarily lifted its 18% tariff on all U.S. ethanol as a means of decreasing inflationary gas prices. Read more here.
- The ocean freight rate for shipping bulk grains has risen five consecutive weeks. From the U.S. Gulf to Japan saw a 12% increase from the start of 2022.
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Ukraine has officially banned exports of most commodities in an effort to try and maintain supplies for their own domestic consumption, more here.
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Russia signed an order banning the export of sugar, wheat, rye, barley, and maize to ex-Soviet countries. More information can be found here.
- The Fertilizer Institute said the steep increase in fertilizer prices is due to a number of factors, some of which go back a few years. Read the story here.
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Check out the latest grain bids online here.
- Top 5 Corn Markets (MT) as of 3.17.2022
- Mexico - 14,148,600
- China - 12,102,100
- Japan - 7,531,000
- Canada - 3,504,900
- Colombia - 3,410,300
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Making Data Available
Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board has funded a new platform - Medius.Re - to allow producers to maximize their checkoff dollars by having the ability to analyze variety trial data for corn, wheat, and barley across time and space with their own customized criteria. For more information, support video, and platform links, read the full press release online here.
Poultry Litter Movement Update
New information provided by Veterinary Epidemiologists has determined that litter movement restrictions can be altered.
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Transportation of litter from a Restricted Area Farm (a poultry farm within Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Caroline County that MDA has identified as being potentially impacted by HPAI) - Manure can be transported if the following conditions are met:
- at least 14 days have passed after the birds have been taken to processing
- the transporter has received a permit from MDA to move the litter
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Transportation of litter outside the Restricted Area (a farm that has poultry)
- at least 14 days have passed after the birds have been taken to processing, no permit from MDA is required.
Contact Howard Callahan, MDA Nutrient Management Specialist at [email protected] or (410) 279-4003.
You can read the full amendment here. More information online here.
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First Year of Split-Nitrogen Project Shows Positive Results in the Mid-Atlantic
Preliminary results of a split-nitrogen cost-share project show positive signs for agronomics and water quality. "We're not talking about increasing nitrogen rates, we're talking about using the same nitrogen rate and just dividing it over multiple applications. To enroll in the 2022 cost-share, contact Jenell Eck McHenry at [email protected] or by calling 443-262-6969. Full story here.
Impact from Russia and Ukraine
Dale Johnson, University of Maryland Extension's Farm Management Specialist put together a few takeaways about the impact of Russia'sinvasion of Ukraine.
- Russia and Ukraine produce 3.9% of the world's corn. However, Ukraine exports most of its corn and accounts for 13.1% of global exports.
- Russia and Ukraine produce 14.3% of the world's wheat. Yet they account for 27.6% of global exports.
- Soybeans are insignificant.
You can check out this PDF on the world's big crops for producers and importers.
The 2022 World of Corn is ready to explore online here. If you plan to inject manure, MDA offers cost-share grants. More here. |
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We Are Here for YOU
443-262-8491
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2022 Maryland Legislative Session
The Maryland legislative session is well underway. Both the House and Senate office buildings are now open to the public and Senate committee hearings have returned to in-person. Overall, things are going fairly well for agriculture. The crossover date (when bills without a cross file need to make it to the opposite chamber) in March 21st.
SB268/HB387 - Pesticide Regulation - Transfer to Department of the Environment
Transferring the regulation of pesticides, plant diseases, and mosquitos in the State from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of the Environment. Increasing penalties for violations of the state pesticide law. Requiring the Secretaries of Agriculture, Environment and Health set up a regulatory process for the state to ban and make restricted use pesticides at the state level.
Hearings are complete in both chambers.
Unfavorable vote by Senate Committee. Withdrawn by House sponsor.
MGPA OPPOSES SB268/HB387
HB562 - Consumer Protection - Right to Repair - Farm Equipment
Requiring a farm equipment manufacturer to make available documentation, updates, and information to an independent repair provider or owner of farm equipment to allow for the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of the farm equipment; prohibiting a farm equipment manufacturer from knowingly misrepresenting or withholding farm equipment part numbers from a customer for the purpose of repairing farm equipment.
MGPA SUPPORTS HB562
Unfavorable report by House Committee.
SB783/HB596 - Constitutional Amendment - Environmental Rights
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Maryland to establish that every person has the fundamental and inalienable right to a healthful and sustainable environment; and requiring the State to serve as the trustee of the State's natural resources, including the air, land, water, wildlife, and ecosystems of the State, and to conserve, protect, and enhance the State's natural resources for the benefit of every person.
MGPA believes this gives all Maryland citizens and organizations standing to sue or contest state permits and licenses given to farmers (nutrient management plans, Pesticide applicators licenses, etc) if they feel they violate their environmental right.
MGPA Opposes SB783/HB596
No action by committees
SB800/HB1002 - Sales and Use Tax - Electricity for Agricultural Purposes - Exemption
Exempting from the sales and use tax the sale of electricity used for agricultural purposes
MGPA Supports SB800/HB1002
No action by committees
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Commodity Classic Scores a Big Hit
Nearly 8,000 attendees gathered in New Orleans for the annual Commodity Classic. The event featured more than 50 educational sessions, a sold-out trade show with nearly 400 exhibitors, a keynote address by Vilsack, and a policy meeting from top farmers and well-known industry. Read more about the event here. |
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MDA Soil Health Advisory Committee Recommendations
The Soil health Advisory Committee is pleased to present its recommendations for the Healthy Soils Program. Recommendations include added conservation practices for inclusions in the Healthy Soils Program as well as the addition of two initiatives to encourage the adoption of soil health practices across the state (Healthy Soils Competitive Fund and Cover Crop+). Read the full report here. |
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5 Tips to Increase Fertilizer Efficiency, Reduce Costs
- Lime if Necessary
- Check P and K Levels
- Know when to fertilize
- Adjust application methods
- Consider using manure
Read the American Agriculturalist article here. |
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Farm Life Comes to the Nation's Capital on National Ag Day
The nation's capital looked a lot like rural America this week as farmers, organizations, and companies representing and serving farmers took to the National Mall in Washington D.C. to celebrate National Ag Day. Read more here. |
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Farming Beyond the Fields
Jennie Schmidt is a registered dietitian turned farmer. Schmidt Farms Inc in Sudlserville was established by her husband's grandfather when he immigrated from Germany in the 1920s. While growing a variety of crops, the farm also implements sustainability practices. "When grain farmers have strong exports nationally, Maryland farmers benefit. Likewise, the same is true for the ethanol market." Read the full blog online here. |
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Farmers on the Rise
Farm Credit launched a new program, Farmers on the Rise, and received over 65 applications. The panel awarded six farmers $10,000 to help them see their business dreams come true. Read more online here. Congratulations!
- Caleb and Alice Crothers of Rising Sun, MD
- Emma Jagoz of Woodsboro, MD
- Joey and Jenell McHenry of Kennedyville, MD
- Wes and Amanda Miller of North East, MD
- Levi Sellers of Boonsboro, MD
- Atiya Wells of Baltimore City, MD
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Deadlines
- Dicamba Online Trainings are now until June 7th. More here
- Paraquat Trainings available online here
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Winter Crop Production Meetings
The final University of Maryland meeting will be taking place lower shore on March 30th. Register online here. |
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Maryland Cover Crop Program
At this time you are able to terminate your 2021 cover crop. If you plan to plant green and receive cost-share, this may not occur prior to May 1st. Please report your termination by June 3rd. Read more on page 4 here. |
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Ag Tire Recycling
The Maryland Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Maryland Farm Bureau and Maryland Environmental Service will hold an agricultural scrap tire collection event during Spring of 2022. The collection has begun and will continue until May 6th across the state. More information can be found here. |
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Maryland Farm Burau Scholarship
For the 2022-2023 academic year, Maryland Farm Bureau is offering five $2,000 scholarships. Online applications are to b submitted by March 25th by 5:00 PM. Learn more online here. |
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Delmarva Chicken Association Scholarship
For 2022, DCA is offering undergraduate scholarships of $2,000 and graduate scholarships of $3,000. Applications must be received no later than Friday, April 8th. Students working towards a degree in a subject relevant to Delmarva's chicken community are eligible. Find more information online here. |
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Growmark Foundation Scholarship
Growmark is offering a $1,500 scholarship program for students pursuing two or four-year degrees or trade certificates in an agriculture-related field. Applicants must complete an online application by April 14th to be judged by a panel of agribusiness professionals. More information can be found here. |
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Please contact us with any questions.
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