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AGRONOMY NEWS A research-based publication from the University of Maryland Extension Agronomy Team

What This Weather Means For Our Crops Matt Morris, Agriculture Extension Agent

University of Maryland Extension, Frederick County

OCTOBER 2018 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7

Inside this issue

What This Weather Means For Our Crops

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Palmer Confirmed in Kent County, MD

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Deadline For Aerial Seeding Extended

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Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School

5

Job Opening: Nutrient Management

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Nutrient Management Planning Reminders

6

Farm Stress Management Resources

7

Ag Conservation Leasing Workshops

7

Private Applicator Recertification Meetings

8

2019 UME Crop Production Meetings

9

Grant Programs 11

Weather Outlook 13

Crop Reports 15

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me, fool me 365 times and you’re a weather forecaster. It might be a joke, but if you planned anything on the weather this year it is not so funny. When it wasn’t raining and we had a forecast with four days of sun, there was still that nagging 10% chance of rain. As soon as you mowed a field of hay down or the fields got fit to run that 10% rain chance turned into a 100% chance of two inches. It has been quite the season that is for sure. Here are just some of the things I’ve been seeing, hearing, and getting asked about in crops around the area as a result of our rainfall.

I’d say sprout is probably the most frequent question I’ve gotten lately. Sprout is when the seed germinates while still on the cob or in the pod. In corn it occurs when the seed dries down in the 20% range and then goes back above that mark. Warmer temperatures make sprout more likely. Premature sprout, or vivipary as a scientist would call it, has a lot to do with variety. What I have been seeing is that the more exposed an ear tip is, the more likely it is to have sprout. When the tip is longer than the husk it allows water to enter the husk and sit in the bottom, almost like peeling back a shingle on a roof. This obviously will make the seed wet and prone to sprout. How a corn plant holds its

ear is a factor too. If a variety drops its ear earlier in the season, water is less likely to enter the husk because it is hanging downward. Post-harvest, drying grain at a higher temperature should eliminate any future sprouting. Due to the potential for broken grain as a result of sprouting, coring a bin is a good idea to blend those partial

extension.umd.edu The University of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Offers Equal Access Programs

Figure 1. A severe case of sprout on an ear of field corn. Photo: Kelly Nichols

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

kernels back in.

With soybeans, sprouting is most often a result of split pods. Earlier this season that soybean plant was determining its pod size. If any stress occurred during that period the plant will tell itself to have a smaller pod. Think back to the roughly four week period of no rain we had in late June and early July. If a soybean was determining pod size then, it will make the pods smaller as it thinks there won’t be enough water for big beans. Boy were they wrong! Once the beans start to form and there is a period of excess moisture, the bean swells and can split the pod open. Later in the season as the bean dries, the split pod allows water in, rehydrating the bean and causing a sprout issue. However, on a year like this, there doesn’t need to be any stress during that pod forming period. There has been so much water that beans swelled more than the average pod could handle. Interestingly, in both corn and beans the seed has to be somewhat mature for sprout to occur. In the immature seed, abscisic acid is present in high concentrations. This chemical prevents the seed from germinating early. As the seed matures, that acid diminishes. Once that abscisic acid is gone, there’s nothing to stop germination.

Lodging is likely to be another concern, especially if weather continues to delay harvest. Corn should stand fairly well, barring any high wind events, but it is soybeans that are more of a concern. There’s two ways that lodging can cause loss: harvest loss or lodging that prevents plants from reaching maturity. With harvest losses, the mature bean falls over due to wind or

saturated soils. A 2015 study from VA Tech showed 3-10% yield loss due to lodging. When an immature bean falls down it can reduce the ability of the plant to photosynthesize and ultimately reduce yield. Unfortunately there is no way to prevent lodging of corn or beans. High yielding crops can be more prone to lodging.

Another thing I would definitely recommend is a fall soil nitrate test (FSNT) to see how much nitrogen (N) is left in a field you’ll plant to small grains. More than likely you lost most of the N this summer and without it small grains will struggle this fall. Deficient fall N will reduce root mass and leaf mass, starting the crop off on the wrong foot. I’d argue too little fall N will reduce a small grain’s ability to be a true “cover crop.” A FSNT should be taken with a soil probe to a depth of 8” and about 15-20 cores per field. Make sure you avoid wet spots or other abnormal areas. Dry and mix the sample overnight and then submit it to a lab. We offer FSNT tests here in the county Extension offices for free and can interpret the results for you.

This year has been a challenge and with commodity process the way they are it seems like insult to injury. However, one thing that is true about farmers is that they are the most resilient group of people there is. Next year will hopefully be better and this will all be a learning experience. If you have any questions or want me to take a look at anything you’re seeing in the field this fall please don’t hesitate to call or email me and I’d be happy to come take a look!

Want to stay up to date throughout the year and between Agronomy News postings?

Check out the Maryland Agronomy Blog. It is a searchable site that includes past and present articles. You can also subscribe to get emails when new information is posted.

http://blog.umd.edu/agronomynews/

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

Palmer Amaranth Confirmed in Kent County, MD

On August 8, 2018, Kent County Weed Control Coordinator, Scott Rowe, discovered a Palmer amaranth plant growing from a drainage gutter on Flatland Rd. (SR 514) in Chestertown. The identity of this plant was confirmed by University of Maryland Extension (UME) – Kent County Ag Educator, Nate Richards, other UME personnel and Mark VanGessel, University of Delaware Weed Science Professor.

Since that initial discovery, the Weed Control team have found or confirmed infestations on road rights-of-way and in fields across the county. Locations include Smithville Road area, Pomona, Massey and areas northwest and east of Chestertown. Some local growers and Ag Supply reps have reported having managed or treated infestations in Kent County prior to the 8/8/18 discovery. The infestations have been found in both non-organic and organic culture fields. Most infestations are light, involving one to several plants;

however, a couple involve entire fields.

Palmer amaranth is a highly competitive annual pigweed that originated in the desert southwest and has been moving eastward and northward for several years. It reproduces by seed only; weed scientists report that a single plant can produce from 100,000 to 500,000 seeds. The tiny seeds are easily transported via field and road equipment, and ag commodities such as hay, straw, other feedstuffs and manure. Palmer amaranth has become established locally in southern Maryland, the lower Eastern Shore and lower Delaware. Populations in these areas are generally resistant to glyphosate (e.g., Roundup) and ALS inhibitors (e.g., Pursuit, Raptor, Accent, Harmony, FirstRate), and may have resistance to other herbicide classes.

Palmer amaranth can be distinguished from other pigweeds by its vegetative and reproductive parts: the main stems are hairless while redroot pigweed has a fuzzy stem; the leaf petiole (leaf stem) on larger Palmer plants – not on seedlings – is usually longer than the leaf blade while the petiole on other pigweeds is shorter; the inflorescence (flower stalks) of Palmer are longer, less branched, and less compact than redroot pigweed. The Penn State (PSU) website listed herein has excellent photo comparisons of the different pigweeds, and photos showing the difference between the male (pollen producing) and female (seed producing) plants of Palmer amaranth.

Now that it’s here, what to do? Since Palmer amaranth is such a prolific seed producer and there are limited effective herbicides for control, it is essential to manage it ASAP so it doesn’t get out of hand. Growers should scout their fields now. If they have very light to light infestations, they should hand pull all plants that have headed, or at least the female plants, bag them, remove them from the field and bury or burn them. The large paper lawn and leaf bags work well for burning. If plants haven’t headed, pull them and let them lie, making sure they can’t re-root. During harvest, growers should consider harvesting infested fields last and thoroughly cleaning combines and other equipment before leaving any infested field. If combine operators discover a patch during harvest, they should consider leaving the patch for later, bagging/burning

Scott W. Rowe, Kent County Weed Control Coordinator, and Nate Richards, Agriculture Agent Associate, University of Maryland Extension, Kent County

Palmer amaranth plant in a soybean field. Image: Scott Rowe, Kent County Weed Control.

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

ASAP, and recording the location for intense management next season. Combines, stalk cutters and tillage equipment are wonderful seeders!

The time to start managing Palmer amaranth is NOW! Growers should watch for publications and workshops that will be forthcoming and do what they can to learn how to manage this pest. The websites listed herein are excellent resources to help understand Palmer amaranth and its management.

Some of the content in this article was gleaned from these websites.

http://blog.umd.edu/agronomynews/2017/04/06/management-of-palmer-amaranth-in-2017/

https://extension.psu.edu/invasive-pigweeds-palmer-amaranth-and-waterhemp#section-14

https://ag.purdue.edu/btny/weedscience/documents/palmer_bio_id_mngmt_pg.pdf

Deadline for Aerial Seeding and Aerial Ground Seeding of Cover Crops Extended to October 14

Due to poor weather resulting in unsafe flying conditions over the last several weeks, the Maryland Department of Agriculture has extended the aerial seeding and aerial ground seeding deadline for farmers who signed up to plant cover crops in their fields this fall with the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program (MACS). Farmers now have until Oct. 14 to aerially seed or aerially ground seed their cover crops using high clearance broadcast seeders.

Only the following cover crop species are eligible for this extension: barley, rye, wheat, and triticale. Farmers must certify their aerial seeded cover crop acreage with the local soil conservation district within one week of planting to be reimbursed for associated seed, labor and equipment costs.

In recent weeks, rain, fog and wind has prevented aerial applicators from safely seeding cover crop fields.

Extending the planting deadline will allow farmers to plant more acres of cover crops on their fields and achieve greater water quality benefits for Maryland waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. According to University of Maryland experts, moisture conditions are adequate for germination.

Maryland’s Cover Crop program is funded by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. This program provides grants to farmers who plant small grains on newly harvested fields to reduce nutrient runoff, control soil erosion, build soil health, and protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

For more information, farmers should contact their local soil conservation district or the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share Program at 410-841-5864.

Maryland Department of Agriculture press release

Seeking Nominations for the Mid-Atlantic Certified Crop Adviser “Excellence in Crop Advising Award”

The Mid-Atlantic Certified Crop Adviser Program (MACCA) is pleased to announce that we will be presenting an “Excellence in Crop Advising Award” for a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) from one of our five participating states (DE, MD, NJ, VA, and WV) nominated by customers, colleagues or an appropriate organization. The Award will be presented at the 2018 Mid-Atlantic Crop School in Ocean City, MD, November 13-15.

The purpose of this award is to increase the public’s awareness that farmers and their advisers strive to do their best in making economically sound cropping decisions, but also ones that are environmentally sound. With increasing farm size, complexity of management options and progressively more complicated regulations, we foresee farmers relying more and more on the advice of specialists who are CCAs. This award program is a great opportunity to recognize a Mid-Atlantic Certified Crop Adviser for their outstanding work with their farm customers. Nominations should outline why the CCA has provided superior service for farming operations in nutrient management, soil and water management, integrated pest management and crop production.

Applications for the “Excellence in Crop Advising Award” award shall be submitted online to MACCA no later than October 22, 2018. Questions should be directed to Danielle Bauer at (443) 262-8491.

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Register Now

The 2018 Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School will be held at the Princess Royale in Ocean City, MD on November 13-15, 2018. Registration is now open. Register online to save your spot! Register by September 15 to receive a discount. Registration between September 16-October 31 is $295, then $335 until November 5.

The Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School offers a 2 1/2 day format with a variety of breakout sessions. Individuals needing training in soil and water, nutrient management, crop management and pest management can create their own schedule by choosing from 5 program options offered each hour. Emphasis is placed on new and advanced information with group discussion and interaction encouraged.

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

University of Maryland Extension is currently taking applications for Nutrient Management Advisors in Baltimore and Caroline County.

Nutrient management advisors develop nutrient management plans for agricultural producers to balance nutrient inputs with crop requirements, thus enhancing production potential, improving farm profitability, reducing excess nutrient inputs into the Chesapeake Bay and enabling producers to comply with the Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998.

Minimum qualifications include:

BS degree preferred in an agricultural, environmental or natural resource science and related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities for full performance of the job may be substituted for the education or experience required on a year to year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience in an agricultural, environmental or natural resource science

Personal transportation and a valid drivers license

Knowledge of agricultural production practices and cropping systems

Interested candidates should submit their applications online through ejobs.umd.edu by October 12. Search for position number 124232 (Baltimore) or 124233 (Caroline).

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Beat The Rush! Plan Ahead For Nutrient Management David Ruppert, Program Coordinator; Emileigh Lucas, Nutrient Management Specialist; Brian Kalmbach, Nutrient

Management Specialist; Trish Steinhilber, Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management Specialist

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

A reminder brought to you by the UMD Agricultural Nutrient Management Program

With preparation, it’s easy to be in compliance with Maryland’s Nutrient Management Law.

Producers need a plan if:

grossing $2,500 income or have greater than 8,000 lbs. live animal weight,

their previous plan is expired, or subjects under “Plan Update Requirements” (e.g.

planned crop, nutrient sources, acreage managed, number of animals) have changed.

Why should you start now?

UME Advisors are currently more available to write plans; wait too long (e.g. January) and you might have to resort to a private planner

Fall 2018 soil and manure analyses are good for the 2019 growing season.

Guarantee you have a plan in hand before you apply nutrients, complying with MDA regulations.

What information do you need to provide?

Planned crops for 2019 Crops planted in 2018 Soil tests (to be updated at least every 3 years) Manure analysis (to be updated at least yearly)

Animal production information Yield records Maps of any new farms/fields Operations with perennial fruits and fields

requiring phosphorus risk assessment may require additional information and data collection. Individual advisors can advise in more detail what information is needed.

Who can write a Nutrient Management Plan?

A certified Nutrient Management Consultant from your county extension office, or a private planner listed on MDA’s website: https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/counties/NM_CONSULTANT_FOR_HIRE_DIRECTORY_2018.pdf

Operators can become certified to write their own nutrient management plan for their operation.

See the following links (updated continuously) for training and certification information; several trainings will be offered over the winter at multiple locations:

http://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Pages/nutrient_management_training_program.aspx

the ‘Event Calendar’ on the right side of https://extension.umd.edu/anmp

Make plans to attend the 2018 Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference. The event will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Annapolis, Maryland.

This annual event features a range of experts who will share ideas and information on current legal issues impacting the Delmarva’s environmental and farming communities. The law is always changing, this conference can help keep you up to date.

Featured Panels Include:

Legal Conflicts and Resolutions with Maryland’s Aquaculture Industry

Chlorpyrifos and the Legal Landscape of Pesticide Regulation

The Legalization of Industrial Hemp Developing Topics in Agricultural and

Environmental Law Phase III of the Watershed Implementation Plan for

Bay Restoration and What It Means for Farmers. 2 Maryland Pesticide Applicator Credits in Category 1(A) available to attendees.

4.8 Delaware Continuing Legal Education Credits Available.

Beginning farmers eligible to receive 50% of the cost of registration*

For more information or to register for this event visit https://go.umd.edu/aleiconf.

2018 Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference

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UME Releases Farm Stress Management Resources

The University of Maryland Extension (UME) announces the release of a new web page devoted to assisting farm families in dealing with stress management through difficult economic times.

“Farm Stress Management,” released in conjunction with National Suicide Prevention week Sept. 9-15, is a set interdisciplinary resources to help farmers navigate the numerous publications online and provide timely, science-based education and information to support prosperous farms and healthy farm families.

Farm families are feeling the stress of an inconsistent and unreliable economy; declining incomes, several years of low commodity prices, and increasing costs have all led to worsening debt issues. Farmers have been forced to parcel off their land, file for bankruptcy, and take secondary jobs off the farm to provide supplemental income. Access to affordable and effective health insurance and care is one of the top concerns among farmers who are often self-employed. Providing health insurance, disability coverage, and planning for retirement and long-term

future care have also proven problematic. In fact, in a USDA-funded study, 45 percent of farmers were concerned that they would have to sell some or all of their farm to address health-related costs.

The new web pages offer resources to manage farm stress through a variety of subject areas including financial management, legal aid, mediation, stress and health management, and crisis resources for families dealing with depression substance abuse, mental health concerns. Farms have a special role in American society and are critical to our national and local economies. With world populations expected to increase to a predicted 9 billion by 2050, farmers become even more crucial for feeding our communities. Healthy farms and healthy farm families promote rural community growth, environmental stewardship and cultural legacies.

The new UME online resources can be found at: https://extension.umd.edu/FarmStressManagement. For more information, please contact Laura Wormuth, UME Communications Coordinator, at 301-405-6869 or lwormuth@umd.edu.

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

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Private Applicator Recertification Meetings

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

2019 Maryland Crop Production Meetings Announced

University of Maryland Extension has announced dates for this year’s crop production meetings that will be conducted around the state between December and March. The most recent research, information and data will be shared at these meetings and will help make 2019 growing decisions for agricultural crops. The meetings are open to all interested in agronomy, forage, vegetables and fruit. Private pesticide applicator and nutrient management credits will be offered. Be sure to call your local Extension office for further details and to get registered. If you need special accommodations please call one week prior to the event.

Agronomy Meetings Southern Maryland Crops Conference November 27, 2018. 4:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Baden Fire Hall, Baden, Maryland. Register by calling the Charles County UME Office at 301-934-5403. Washington County Crops Conference November 28, 2018. 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Fairplay Firehall, 18002 Tilghmanton Rd, 21733 Fairplay, Maryland. Register by calling the Washington County UME Office at 301-791-1304 or jsemler@umd.edu. Northern MD Field Crops Day December 6, 2018. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Friendly Farms, Foreston Road in Upperco, Maryland. Register by calling Baltimore County UME Office at 410-887-8090 or ecrowl@umd.edu. Carroll County Mid-Winter Farm Meeting January 17, 2019. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Burns Hall, Carroll County Ag Center, Westminster, MD.

Register by calling the Carroll County UME Office at 410-386-2760. Cecil County Winter Agronomy Meeting January 23, 2019. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Calvert Grange, Rising Sun, Maryland. Register by calling the Cecil County UME Office at 410-996-5280 or dbehnke@umd.edu. Lower Shore Agronomy Day January 30, 2019. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Somerset Civic Center, Princess Anne, MD Register at the Wicomico County UME Office at 410-749-6141. Harford County Mid-Winter Agronomy Meeting February 12, 2019. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Deer Creek Overlook at Harford 4-H Camp 8 Cherry Hill Road, Street MD 21154 Register by calling the Harford County UME Office at 410-638-3255 or akness@umd.edu

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

Caroline County Agronomy Day February 20, 2019. 4:30 p.m. Caroline County 4-H Park 8230 Detour Rd, Denton, MD 21629 Register by calling the Caroline County UME Office at 410-479-4030. Montgomery-Howard-Frederick Agronomy Day February 27, 2019. 9:00 a.m. – 2:30p.m. Urbana Fire Hall 3602 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD 21704 Register by calling the Montgomery County UME Office at 301-590-2809. Queen Anne’s Agronomy Day March 1, 2019. 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park 101 Dulin Clark Road, Centreville, MD 21617 Register by calling the Queen Anne’s County UME Office at 410-758-0166.

Forage Meetings Delmarva Hay and Pasture Conference January 15, 2019. 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Delaware Ag Week. Harrington Delaware Southern Maryland Forage Conference January 16, 2019. 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Baden Fire Hall, Baden, Maryland. Register by calling the St Mary’s UME Office at 301 475-4484. Tri-State Hay and Pasture Conference January 17, 2019. 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Location TBA Register by calling the Garrett County UME office at 301-334-6960. Central Maryland Forage and Livestock Conference January 18, 2019. 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m Jefferson Ruritan Center, Jefferson, MD Registration information will be forthcoming

Vegetable Meetings

Central Maryland Vegetable Growers Meeting January 24, 2019, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Friendly Farms, Foreston Road in Upperco, Maryland Register by calling UM Extension Baltimore County Office at 410-887-8090 or ecrowl@umd.edu Eastern Shore Vegetable and Fruit Meeting February 12, 2019 Eastern Shore Hospital Center, Cambridge MD Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eastern-shore-vegetable-growers-meeting-2018-tickets-38584279619 or by calling the Dorchester County UME office at 410-228-8800. Southern Maryland Vegetable and Fruit Meeting February 7, 2019 St. Mary’s County—Exact location TBD Register by calling the St Mary’s UME Office at 301 475-4484

Fruit Meetings Western Maryland Fruit Meeting

February 2019, date TBA. 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Western Maryland Research and Education Center, Keedysville MD Register email sbarnes6@umd.edu or call 301 432-2767 ext.301. Bay Area Fruit Meeting February 2019, date TBA. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wye Research and Education Center, Queenstown MD Register call phone: 410-827-8056 Contact the respective county Extension Offices for more details about any of the meetings.

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The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has launched the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Kathleen A. P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program. A total of $175,000 dollars funding is available in this competitive program now in its seventh year. Named after the late Kathy Mathias, one of the Eastern Shore’s leading advocates and the wife of Maryland State Senator James N. Mathias, the program began in 2012.

Subject to funding availability, MEA will provide grants on a competitive basis to farms/businesses in the agriculture sector to cover up to 50% of the cost of eligible energy efficiency upgrades, if applicable, after all other incentives have been applied. Projects must be cost effective, with a total simple payback 15 years or less. Applications must be submitted by Friday, November 16, 2018.

2019 Kathleen A. P. Mathias Agriculture Energy Efficiency Program

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

MARBIDCO Next Gen Farm Acquisition Program Re-Opens

MARBIDCO’s Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program will reopen this fall to help qualified young and beginning farmers purchase farmland. The Next Gen Program is a relatively fast-moving farmland conservation easement option purchase program that is designed to help facilitate the transfer of farmland to a new generation of farmers, while also effectively helping to preserve agricultural land from future development.

The selection is expected to be competitive. Persons interested in applying should make contact with their county ag land preservation staff no later than October 19 to discuss the suitability of a subject farm being permanently preserved, and applications are due November 20.

The Next Gen Program is essentially a fast-moving farmland conservation easement option purchase program that is designed to help facilitate the transfer of farmland to a new generation of farmers, while also effectively helping to preserve the subject agricultural land from future development.

Under the Next Gen Program, MARBIDCO will pay up to 51% of the Fair Market Value (FMV) of the land only (with a cap of $500,000). Following the land sale transaction, the Next Gen Farmer will then have a

period of several years to sell the permanent easement to a rural land preservation program that is able and willing to hold the permanent easement (thus extinguishing the development rights on the property forever). Once a permanent easement has been subsequently facilitated, the Next Gen Farmer is obligated to repay MARBIDCO the original Next Gen Program Option Purchase amount, plus a 3% administrative fee. If the Next Gen Farmer cannot sell the permanent easement within the specified timeframe, the Option will be exercised (for no additional money) and the permanent easement will be held by a “third-party default easement holder” (either a county agricultural land program or a private land trust designated by MARBIDCO).

While there is no age restriction to participate in the program, persons who are “beginner farmers” will have a greater likelihood of being selected to participate. A “beginner farmer” is defined as not owning a farm or ranch (or owning less than 10 acres), not operating a farm or ranch as a principal operator for more than 10 years, having at least one year of farming experience, and expecting to substantially participate in the farming operation on the subject property.

Visit the MARBIDCO website for more information.

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

Domino Sugar Lime Byproduct

Bulk Availability Program The Baltimore Domino Sugar plant produces significant quantities of calcium carbonate mud byproduct at the Baltimore Refinery. This byproduct is registered as a MDA Liming Material, Domino Sugar Corporation Calcium Carbonate, Reg. No. 204520 and the most recent analytical results are below. The ASR Group Domino Sugar are actively looking for farmers who want to responsibly use our byproduct as a liming material.

Program Eligibility

ASR Bulk Lime program criteria that need to be met for a farm to be authorized to receive the Domino calcium carbonate mud as a liming material:

Proximity to the facility (The ASR Group is generally looking for farms located within 1-1.5 hours of our Baltimore Refinery);

Truck Access (The ASR Group needs to ensure that the access road to where the lime dumped is in good condition and will not result in a tractor trailer becoming stuck);

Stockpile location (where the lime is dumped cannot be adjacent to any waterways such as streams or ditches, along a property boundary, etc.);

Storage time (The ASR Group wants the material used as quickly as possible; our internal limit is no longer than 1 year depending on how the material is stored); and,

Quantity (The ASR Group is typically looking for farms that will take a 100 ton annual minimum).

Interested farmers may contact Gary Lasko directly (contact information below) for approval on our “Authorized Farms” list. Once on the list, the

transporter will contact the farmer directly before making the first delivery.

Other Important Program Details:

A couple of other informational items related to the Calcium Carbonate Mud:

The Domino plant generates the mud 24-hours a day, 7-days a week when the plant is operating and

typically removes a trailer-full once every 6-hours (roughly 60-80 tons per operating day). Accordingly, some of these loads are pulled at night and the ASR Group is also looking at farms at which they can deliver at night.

The ASR Group typically gathers the farmers name, phone number, farm location, and tillable

acreage as part of our “Authorized Farms” list. This allows them to track the acreage this product is used on throughout Maryland.

The participating farms are visited roughly once per year by the ASR Group to ensure that there are no significant issues with the storage.

Finally, some loads will contain a poly sheet that was placed inside the dump trailer so that the loads easily dump. Most farmers have not complained about this.

Gary Lasako Environmental Manager American Sugar Refining, Inc. Office: +1 410-783-8687 Cell: 443-891-8915 Email: gary.lasako@asr-group.com

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

Currently, 0% of the State is under any type of drought. One-month temperature outlook for October predicts a 60-70% probability of warmer than normal temperatures. Rainfall is expected to be near normal for the month of October.

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Facebook.com/UMDExtension

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

The University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources programs are open to all and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, or national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation, or gender identity and expression.

Sherry Frick Allegany

sfrick@umd.edu (301) 724-3320

Peter Coffey Carroll

plcoffey@umd.edu (410) 386-2760

Andrew Kness Harford

akness@umd.edu (410) 638-3255

Sarah Hirsh Somerset

jirsh@umd.edu (410) 651-1350

R. David Myers Anne Arundel

myersrd@umd.edu (410) 222-3906

Doris Behnke Cecil

dbehnke@umd.edu (410) 996-5280

Nate Richards Kent

nrichard@umd.edu (410) 778-1661

Shannon Dill Talbot

sdill@umd.edu (410) 822-1244

Erika Crowl Baltimore

ecrowl@umd.edu (410) 887-8090

Emily Zobel Dorchester

ezobel@umd.edu (410) 228-8800

Chuck Schuster Montgomery

cfs@umd.edu (301) 590-2807

Jeff Semler Washington

jsemler@umd.edu (301) 791-1304

Neith Little Baltimore City

nglittle@umd.edu (410) 856-1850

Matt Morris Frederick

mjmorris@umd.edu (301) 600-3578

Kim Rush Lynch Prince George’s

kimrush@umd.edu (301) 799-2806

Ginny Rozenkranz Wicomico

rosnkrnz@umd.edu (410) 749-6141

Jim Lewis Caroline

jlewis2@umd.edu (410) 479-4030

Kelly Nichols Frederick

kellyn@umd.edu (301) 600-3578

Jenny Rhodes Queen Anne’s

jrhodes@umd.edu (410) 758-0166

Manish Poudel Wicomico

mpoudel@umd.edu (410) 749-6141

Bryan Butler Carroll

bbutlers@umd.edu (410) 386-2760

Willie Lantz Garrett

wlantz@umd.edu (301) 334-6960

Ben Beale St.Mary’s

bbeale@umd.edu (301) 475-4484

Maegan Perdue Worcester

mperdue@umd.edu (410) 651-1350

Other Publications & Resources From University of Maryland Extension

University of Maryland Vegetable & Fruit Headline News (published monthly during the growing season)

University of Maryland TPM/IPM Report (published weekly during the growing season for nurserymen and greenhouse growers)

Maryland Grain: http://extension.umd.edu/grain

University of Maryland Agronomy News Blog: http://blog.umd.edu/agronomynews/

Agriculture Law: http://extension.umd.edu/aglaw

Agricultural Nutrient Management Program: http://extension.umd.edu/anmp

Women In Agriculture: http://extension.umd.edu/womeninag

University of Maryland Plant Diagnostic Laboratory: http://extension.umd.edu/plantdiagnosticlab

extension.umd.edu

If you have any requests or suggestions for future articles, contact Andy Kness at: akness@umd.edu or (410) 638-3255.

15

Western Maryland

With several days of no rain, corn shelling is finally starting. We even missed a rain when they were forecasting some. That is a first for the season! Unfortunately with almost of two weeks that were unfit to be in the field a lot of corn intended for silage is now too dry. Several dairies in the area now have less than half the corn silage they need for the year. So far, corn that has been shelled is turning out well. There are isolated wet or flooded spots that are poor, but the rest is very good corn. Most corn and bean fields seem to have some level of sprout, but at this point it is no enough, especially in corn, to cause significant yield loss. -Matt Morris

Northern Maryland

Harvest in Northern Maryland, both silage and grain, is off to a slow start. As I write this, about 50% of corn has been chopped for silage and only about 10-20% of corn has been harvested for grain. Wet fields and high moisture has made harvest difficult. Most corn for grain is still in the upper 20’s for moisture content. Yields are highly variable and will likely not set any records. Hopefully we will get a few good drying days here soon. Full season soybeans are dropping leaves; double crop beans are just starting to yellow. There are some lodged soybeans and sprouting occurring in some fields of both corn and soybean due to the moisture. A few dry days made for some good weather to make some hay. Cover crops and the 2019 barley crop are going in the ground between the raindrops. Wheat planting should start in a week or so if the ground is fit. -Andy Kness

Upper & Mid Eastern Shore

Corn harvest is going strong. While

yields are good, they are not record-breaking. This was expected as we had 2 very wet periods with a drought in the middle. If that wasn’t enough stress, the extended humidity was great for disease and cloudy days limits light quality. Soybean harvest is beginning with early beans that are “ugly”. They are gray, brown, cream, black, purple, and white. Some have sprouted in the pods, while others are moldy. Recent dry weather has been good for quality hay harvest. -Jim Lewis

Lower Eastern Shore

We finally got a break in the weather on the Lower Shore, and corn harvest is now underway. Crops are about a month behind schedule due to weather events earlier this season. Corn yields are coming in variable with reports of areas over 200 bu/acre to less than 100 bu/acre in re-planted and lower lying areas. Early-planted soybean harvest is expected to start in about a week; however, most soybean fields will not be ready for harvest for another month. Concerning pest pressures, Palmer amaranth and ragweed are issues in some fields. Corn earworm in soybean and sweet corn has been reported by numerous farmers. As expected, due to late crop harvests, cover crop planting is behind schedule. Cover crops have begun to be planted. However, the Somerset Soil Conservation District estimates that about 5% of cover crops have been planted, whereas normally by this time 15-25% would be planted. Most cover crops planted have been aerially seeded up to this point. –Sarah Hirsh

Southern Maryland

Sunny conditions this week are finally drying out the soil and allowing for corn harvest to continue. Corn moisture levels are stubbornly running

around 20-22% which is combination with saturated soils has made harvest slow. Some farmers are finishing up corn this week, others still have a long way to go. Overall the corn yields has been only fair, which may be something to be thankful for this year considering the rain challenges. Soybeans on the other hand may offer a bright spot to this unusual year. Soybean harvest has not yet begun, but there are some really good looking soybean fields. Full season beans with maturity 4.2 or less planted on time have dropped all leaves and will be ready to go as soon as fields dry out. Double crop fields are just starting to yellow. We have heard some isolated reports of both corn sprouting in the ear and soybeans that have lodged sprouting in the pod. We continue to find new cases of herbicide resistant palmer amaranth and common waterhemp. This is a good time to scout your fields before harvest and identify any of these aggressive weeds. Isolated cases of a “few” plants can be pulled, bagged and removed. Fields with heavy infestations should be isolated, harvested separately and the combine and any other equipment (bush hogs, flail choppers especially) cleaned thoroughly before moving into a clean field. Sending just one plant through the combine will make your weed control efforts much more challenging next year. Tobacco harvest is now finished. Growers will be glad to close the book on this harvest season as losses due to drowning and late season foliar diseases (Target spot and Frog-eye Leaf spot) were high. This week has allowed for some late season hay to be put up. –Ben Beale

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

Crop Reports

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 7 AGRONOMY NEWS: OCTOBER 2018

Agronomy News is published by the University of Maryland Extension, Agriculture & Natural Resources Agronomy Impact Team.

Andrew Kness, Editor Agriculture Extension Agent

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University of Maryland Extension 3525 Conowingo Rd., Suite 600

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