Market and Trade Update
South Africa is anticipating a record corn crop with 15 million tons, more here.

There is more corn available worldwide this season than previously thought with 288 million tons in stock. Full report here.

The latest grain bids can be found here.
Top News Stories

USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers
USDA is delivering financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers who have been impacted by COVID-19 market disruptions. At least $6 billion towards new programs will be distributed to a broad set of producers. Sign-up will reopen on April 5th. Additional assistance of $20 per acre for crops will be distributed. Learn more here and contact your local FSA office for more questions.
Judge Orders MDE to Regulate Ammonia Emissions
A Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge has ordered the MD Department of Environment to regulate ammonia emissions coming from CAFOs. The Chesapeake Legal Alliance challenged MDE's recently updated General Discharge Permit for Animal Feeding Operations, stating it should have included limits on ammonia gas coming from poultry houses as a water pollutant. The Delmarva Chicken Association has made a statement. More information and the full statement can be found here.
Maryland Agriculture Week
March 21st to March 27th has been declared Maryland Agriculture Week by Governor Hogan. Ten ways to celebrate Maryland Agriculture were shared with the public. Read the full press release here.

Split Nitrogen Cost-Share
The Delaware-Maryland 4R Alliance is looking for producers to split their nitrogen application for 2021 corn crop for $15/acre. Contact Jenell Eck if interested in enrolling as soon as possible - 443-262-6969 or [email protected].

Decade of Ag
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action announces its growing list of companies, organizations, and individuals who have joined the Decade of Ag, a sector-wide movement to align to a shared vision for the next decade centered around investing in the next generation of agricultural systems, restoring our environment, regenerating natural resources and in doing so, strengthening the social and economic fabric of America. The Maryland Grain Producers is honored to be a part of this great organization. Learn more here.

University of Maryland - Rye
The University of Maryland co-published the first full reference genome sequence for rye in Nature Genetics. The result is a valuable resource that can help improve grain yield, disease resistance, and temperature tolerance to increase climate resilience in grain crops. Read more here.
We Are Here for YOU
Lindsay Thompson, [email protected], Executive Director
Jenell Eck, [email protected], Programs and Public Relations Director
Marguerite Guare, [email protected], Administration
443-262-8491
LEGISLATION OF INTEREST

With Maryland's General Assembly being conducted virtually MGPA members have the ability to submit testimony without having to travel to Annapolis. If you are interested in submitting written or verbal testimony, be sure to create a MyMGA account here. The 2021 session will end on April 12th.


HB84 - Consumer Protection - Right to Repair
Delegate Feldmark
*Hearing held 1/27 - no further action
This bill requires an original equipment manufacturer, on fair and reasonable terms, to make available to an independent repair provider or owner of digital electronic equipment any documentation, parts, tools, or updates to information or embedded software. It also requires, as it applies to equipment that contains a security-related function, any documentation, tools, parts, or updates needed to reset the lock or function when disabled.

MGPA SUPPORTS House Bill 84

SB119/HB507 - Clean Water Commerce Act of 2021
*Hearings on 1/28 and 2/10 - Passed committees w/ amendments
This bill addresses the sunset of the pilot program and establishes the Clean Water Commerce Fund as a special, non-lapsing fund. It requires the Department of the Environment to transfer $20,000,000 from the Bay Restoration Fund to the Clean Water Commerce Fund beginning in the fiscal year 2022. 35% of this funding would be dedicated to agricultural practices.

MGPA has been involved in the workgroup to craft this legislation. We will be supporting the sponsor amendments based on this workgroup's recommendations.

MGPA SUPPORTS Senate Bill 119 & House Bill 84

HB581/SB486 - Labor and Employment - Employment Standards During an Emergency (Maryland Essential Workers' Protection Act)
*The subcommittees have heavily amended the bills to remove most of our concerns.

This legislation would create a number of new essential employer mandates and costs including: 1) hazard pay; 2) financial assistance for healthcare costs; and 3) universal health and bereavement leave, among many other problematic and challenging provisions for Maryland’s job creators; 4) Employee right to refuse to report.

MGPA worked with a coalition of agricultural stakeholders to craft language for an agricultural exemption.

MGPA OPPOSES House Bill 581 & Senate Bill 486
NEWS/FARMER RESOURCES
Tips for Motorists to Stay Safe this Growing Season

The Maryland and Delaware Soybean Boards, with support from MGPUB and others, continue to broaden and reinforce the importance of the "Find Me Driving" safety initiative for consumer motorists as farmers begin their planting season. Read the full press release here.
New License - Conowingo Dam

On March 18th, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued an operating license for the Conowingo Dam after eight years of lawsuits, court battles, and public outcry. The new 50-year license will require Exelon to contribute $1.22 million per year to protect the Bay's health. ShoreRivers will continue to fight this re-licensing through every avenue at its disposal. Read the full story here.
Syngenta Introduces New Corn Seed Treatment

Syngenta announced its newest corn seed treatment, Vayantis fungicide, has received registration by the US EPA. Vayantis will be available in select areas for the 2021 growing season, with a full rollout for 2022 fungicide seed treatment developed to protect seedlings from key blight and damping-off diseases. More can be found here.
Corona Launches Six-Pack Packaging Made from Barley Straw

Corona is launching sustainable, renewable packaging made from surplus barley straw in South America this month, an innovation that it hopes to roll out globally in the future. Read more here.
Seven Easy Steps for Safer Outcomes

Six out of every 10 workers trapped in a grain bin don't make it out alive. The fifth annual Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week will take place from March 29th to April 2nd. The alliance identified seven critical steps for grain safety.
  1. Turn off/lockout equipment before entering a bin or performing maintenance
  2. Never walk down the grain to make it flow
  3. Test the air in the bin before entering
  4. Use a safety harness and anchored lifelines
  5. Place a trained observer outside of the bin in case of an emergency
  6. Do not enter a bin where grain is built up on the side
  7. Control the accumulation of grain dust through housekeeping
The full press release can be found here.
Know Wheat Growth Stage Before Herbicide Applications

Producers should pay close attention to the growth stage of winter wheat before making spring herbicide applications. Because some herbicides must be applied after tillering, several must be applied before jointing, and others can be applied through boot stage. Read more here.
Researchers Seek DE, MD Farmers

Researchers from the University of Maryland and Delaware are looking for farmers throughout both states to participate in a research project evaluating decision-making surrounding the adoption of nitrogen management tools including commercially available nitrogen models, drone imagery, and the Pre-Sideress Nitrate test. Find more information here.
EVENTS/DATES
MALPF Accepting Easement Applications

The MALPF is now accepting easement applications for the FY22 cycle. Eligible farmers who are interested in preserving their land as an agricultural easement should apply with their county preservation program office. Learn more here.
Maryland NM Exam

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is offering Commercial Pesticide Exams this year. View dates and locations here.
USDA NASS - Spring Data Users' Meeting

An update will be held on April 14th and 15th from Noon to 3 PM. More information can be found here.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Maryland Grain Producers Scholarship

The 2021 MGPA scholarship is now open and accepting applications through April 30, 2021. Learn more here.

MAEF Scholarship

The Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2021 Dr. Ronald Seibel Scholarship providing up to $1,000 tuition funding. Applications are due April 1st. Apply here.

DCA Scholarship

The Delmarva Chicken Association is offering undergraduate and graduate scholarships. Applications are due by April 9th. Learn more here.
Created By: Jenell Eck
Programs and Public Relations Director

Please contact us with any questions.