Market and Trade News

• U.S. Winter Wheat is essentially at it's lowest levels ever for this time of year, more here.
• Half of all wheat grown in the U.S. is exported, check this out here.
• China is forecasted to purchase 12 million tonnes of wheat, more here.
• Wheat and corn exports out of the Black Sea region are at risk again, more here.
• U.S.-Mexico corn dispute could drag on all year, more here.
• A new paper on food security could signify a meaningful shift, more here.
• Check out the latest grain bids online here.

Maryland Crop Progress

• 4% of Maryland corn is planted
• 1% of winter wheat is in head
• Barley is 100% fair or in better condition
• Wheat is 99% fair or in better condition
• The webpage can be found here.

Ask Congress to Stand Up for USMCA

Engage your elected officials on this issue and ask U.S. Trade Representative to initiate a dispute settlement under the USMCA in response to Mexico's decree without delay. During the 2021/22 marketing year, the value of U.S. corn exported to Mexico was 4.92 billion.

FHB Update for Maryland 4/19/2023

Barley on the Eastern Shore is heading and wheat is at the jointing stage or soon to be heading out. On the western side of the Bay, plants are starting to joint. With the dry weather, FHB risk is minimal. If you plan to spray your small grain, the best time to do so, is at flowering for wheat and at head for barley. Read more here.

MDA to Host Deer Summit

The Maryland Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health and Natural Resources, will host a Deer Summit on Thursday, May 11th at MDA in Annapolis. Kevin Atticks says, "this is an opportunity to discuss issues, and work toward meaningful solutions." Read more here.

Farmers Await Clarification On WOTUS Rules

The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter before adjourning in June. In the meantime, a federal judge in North Dakota blocked Biden's definition of waters regulated by the Clean Water Act on April 12th. It appllies to 24 states. More here.

MASCD Annual Report

The Maryland Associations of Soil Conservation Districts has released its 2022 annual report. Last year, farmers planted 435,628 acres of cover crops. 81,311 tons of manure were transported out of the watershed and 377,111 tons were transported with Maryland Transport Funds. View more conservation activities here.

Maryland Commodity Classic

Save the date! July 27th we will see you at the Queen Anne's County 4-H Park in Centreville for the 25th annual Maryland Commodity Classic. Scott Shellady is confirmed to speak at our event!

If you would like to sponsor this year's event, visit our website here.

Agronomy News - April 2023

We Are Here for YOU

Lindsay Thompson, [email protected], Executive Director

Jenell Eck McHenry, [email protected], Programs and PR Director

Jennifer Gannon, [email protected], Programs and PR Assistant

National Sorghum 2023 Yield Contest

The National Sorghum Producers will not begin accepting entries for the 2023 National Sorghum Yield Contest. State and national winners are selected from contestants split into east and west regions for each division. The entry deadline is November 15th. Learn more and enroll here.

USDA Accepts Applications for REAP Opportunity

USDA is accepting applications for $1 billion in grants across the nation to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. Call your local FSA office for more information, more information can be found here.

QAC Agriculture Awareness Day 2023

A coalition of agriculture educators and professionals joined together to host an educational experience for all 7th graders in Queen Anne's County earlier this month. With the use of educational stations throughout the day, students were fully involved in activities covering the variety of industries within agriculture while being introduced to the career opportunities within. Full story here.

New Tree-Planting Incentive

MDA announced that a new tree-planting bonus in now available to farmers and landowners who install qualifying conservation practices financed through the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program. More here.

$6 M Connects MD Farmers, Watermen with Food Banks

Governor Wes Moore announced a new initiative led by the Maryland Department of Agriculture where USDA grant funds will support the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program. Full press release here.

Maryland FFA Holds State Spring Judging Events

On April 1st, 404 FFA members from 31 chapters competed in one of the ten Career Development Events. Congratulations to all teams and members! More here.

Split Nitrogen Cost-Share

For the third and final year, the Delaware Maryland 4R Alliance is offering $15 an acre to add an additional split of nitrogen to their 2023 corn crop. Learn more here, if interested contact Jenell Eck McHenry at 443-262-6969.

CDL Grant

The Maryland Grain Producers is now offering two grants in the amount of $1,500 to members working on obtaining their Class A Commercial Drivers License. Applications are due May 5th and can be found here.

U.S. Grains Council Certification Series

Join online on May 8th at 11:00 AM to learn more about the international Sustainability and Carbon Certification pathway. For the full agenda and to register click 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.

Joint Agroecology Field and Science Communications Internship

Harry R. Hughes Center for Agroecology is seeking two students for a summer internship that offers a hybrid of scientific research and outreach and communications. The internship will begin on June 5th. Learn more here.

Mountaire Farm to Table Scholarship

Mountaire is offering a new "Farm to Table" scholarship for high school seniors with a passion for agriculture, the culinary arts, or related fields which support food production and feeding the world. Each month two students will be awarded and featured, nominations are ongoing and can be found online here.

Applications Open for $110,000 in Ag Scholarships

Students can apply for 1 of the 55 $2,000 scholarships from Growmark. Applications can be submitted online by May 12th. Learn more here.