Publications

Authors: Jarrod Miller

A new publication (EB-420) is available from University of Maryland Extension. Manure as a Natural Resource: Alternative Management Opportunities is written as an overview of some existing technologies. Many new ideas are proposed for the region, and understanding the science behind them is imperative to deciding which option you may want to follow. Manure, as a source of organic matter and plant nutrients, is an excellent conditioner for soils. It is a component of agronomic production, cycling nutrients between soils, plants and livestock. However, in areas where limited land is available for application, excess soil nutrients can lead to water quality issues. Local restrictions on manure application necessitate finding alternative uses. The simplest method is to transport manure to nutrient-deficient land. Manure can be composted into a higher-quality fertilizer or have the nutrients extracted and sold separately. Manure also has an energy value, and where feasible, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, or gasification could be options.

Authors: Jessica Flores

Have you ever lost a horse or made the difficult decision to euthanize a horse? Then what do you do? Properly handling a large animal after it has passed away can be difficult. Publication EB-421 from the University of MD Extension helps guide horse owners in each MD county in the disposal options available.

Authors: Paul Goeringer

This publication discusses potential liability for livestock and other animals you may have on the farm.  Typical theories for liability would include strict liability and negligence.  This publication walks you through previous Maryland court cases involving livestock and when each form of liability was found.  Finally, the publication offers suggestions on how to handle potential legal risks from livestock, for example utilizing liability waivers, purchasing the right level of general liability insurance, etc. Author: Paul Goeringer; Title: Understanding Agricultural Liability: Livestock and Other Farm Animals Livestock (FS-990)

Authors: Paul Goeringer

The publication provides a general overview of previous court decisions related to fencing in agriculture and examples of county ordinances that impact fencing duties.  For example, counties potentially have ordinances that impact the maintenance and construction of fences, specify how costs should be split between neighboring landowners, and liens to force non-paying landowners to pay their share of the costs. Author: Paul Goeringer, Title: Understanding Agricultural Liability: Maryland Fencing Law (EB-419)

Authors: Paul Goeringer - Lori Lynch

Actual Production History (APH) is a 4- to 10-year yield average used to calculate each producer’s production guarantee. Producers with 10 years of yield history are penalized under APH because yields have increased over time, and APH yields can lag behind their most recent yields. Therefore producers with only 4 years of yield history can actually have higher average yields. Authors: Paul Goeringer and Lori Lynch; Title: Trend-Adjusted Yield Option Introduced for Crop Insurance (FS-970)

Authors: Jenny Rhodes - Shannon Dill

A well-thought-out marketing plan will enable you to manage the unpredictability of grain prices and their associated risks. A plan promotes the use of logical, orderly marketing techniques. This fact sheet describes the five steps you can take to increase the likelihood of making successful marketing decisions.

Authors: Stanton Gill - Paula Shrewsbury

Unless Japanese Maple Scale (JMS) is monitored carefully and controlled early, populations of this armored scale can spread throughout a nursery or landscape to many species of woody plants and build up to levels that cause dieback and even death of infested plants.

Authors: Jonathan Moyle

Mice and rats are nuisance animals that typically can be found anywhere that poultry are grown. These rodents can spread disease and cause structural damage to your facilities, resulting in economic losses. Rodents are known to carry up to 45 different diseases including leptospirosis, Salmonellosis, fowl pox and erysipelas.

Authors: Jonathan Moyle - Jessica Flores - Dustan Clark

Deciding on your goal for raising chickens is the first step in determining which breed is best for your farm. The most common reasons as to why people raise chickens include: egg production, meat production, raising birds for show, controlling insects around their property, and breed preservation. Authors: Jonathan Moyle, and Jessica Flores; Title: Choosing the Best Poultry Breed for Your Small Farm (FS-987)

Authors: Ginger S. Myers

The Maryland Niche Meats & Poultry Producers Directory was developed jointly by the Maryland Niche Meat and Poultry Working Group and the Ag Marketing Program of University of Maryland Extension. This directory serves as a way to connect buyers, consumers, producers and market masters to fresh, high-quality farm-raised meats from Maryland producers. For ease of aggregating suppliers, this directory has been organized by product, though many producers offer multiple products. USDA on listing only applies to Beef, Bison, Chevon, Lamb, and Pork.