Agronomy News-July 2022

Corn Disease Updates

Alyssa Koehler, Extension Field Crop Pathologist, University of Delaware

As corn is beginning to tassel, it is a good time to scout fields to decide if a fungicide will be applied. When considering the economics of a fungicide application, it is important...Read more about Corn Disease Updates

Look Out For Tar Spot on Corn

Andrew Kness, Senior Agriculture Agent, University of Maryland Extension-Harford County

Before anyone panics, this disease has not been confirmed in Maryland or Delaware; however, it is close by and could potentially spread to our state. As you’re scouting fields this summer, keep this one...Read more about Tar Spot on Corn

July Field Crop Insect Scouting Tips

Emily Zobel, Senior Agriculture Agent Associate, University of Maryland Extension-Dorchester County

Soybean: The usual defoliators are starting to arrive, including bean leaf beetle, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. Control may be needed if there is 30% defoliation during the seedling and vegetative stages and...Read more about July Field Crop Insect Scouting Tips

New Agriculture Agents Join UMD Extension
 

Mark Townsend, Frederick County

Agriculture and Food Systems (AgFS) Extension welcomes Mark Townsend as the new Frederick County Agent Associate. He will work with the AgFS team to provide Maryland farmers with the training and resources necessary to run profitable and sustainable operations.

In the spring of 2020, Mark graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.S in Agriculture and Resource Economics with foci in agribusiness, as well as farm business management and entrepreneurship, and a minor in soil science. This fall he plans to complete a graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at the University of Maryland, College Park. As a student at the University of Maryland, he was very involved as a student worker for the college of Agriculture and Natural Resources and worked as a Laboratory Teaching Assistant for a Soil Chemistry class.

Mark gained experience overseeing livestock operations as an operations manager for Rocklands Livestock Company and as a farm manager for Clark's Elioak Farm. In these positions he had several responsibilities such as implementing grazing, stocking, and nutrient management plans, and he applied his knowledge from other accomplishments such as his MDE Erosion and Sediment Control Certification, National Beef Quality Assurance Cow/Calf Certification, and passing score on the Soil Science Society of America Fundamentals Exam. As a production intern for a Maryland agri-service business, he consulted with farmers making decisions about best management practices. He currently conveys information to central Maryland farmers at bi-weekly Westminster Grain Marketing Meetings.

Experience working in the field, the lab, the office, and the community makes Mark a valuable addition to the AgFS

Dwayne Joeseph, Kent County

Agriculture and Food Systems (AgFS) Extension welcomes Dr. Dwayne Joseph to the team. He is the new Kent County Agent who will conduct applied research and educate the public about sustainable agricultural practices.

Dwayne received his B.S. in Biology from Grambling State University and then his M.S. and Ph.D. in Plant and Environmental Science at Clemson University. While attending these institutions he earned several grants and scholarships.

Dwayne has years of experience designing and conducting plant science experiments related to weed control and management. Currently, he is researching integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for Maryland with a focus on integrated weed management as a postdoctoral associate for the University of Maryland, College Park Department of Entomology. He has published in several scientific journals and also communicates his findings through oral presentations and other publications, making his work both applicable and accessible. Participation on review committees for the Department of Entomology and Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NESARE) graduate student grant program, and in scientific conferences such as Weed Science Society of America meetings, makes Dwayne stand out as an immensely active member of the agricultural research and outreach community.

The AgFS team looks forward to working with Dwayne as he applies his extensive research background and strong leadership and collaboration skills to improving agricultural practices in Kent County and across Maryland.

June 2022 Grain Market Report

Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist, University of Maryland Extension

Corn
This month’s 2022/23 U.S. corn outlook is for larger beginning stocks, slightly higher use, and increased ending stocks. Corn area and yield forecasts are unchanged. USDA will..continue reading the June Market Report

How Low Can You Go? The Cutting Height Debate

Amanda Grev, Pasture & Forage Specialist, University of Maryland Extension

When it comes to production of forages like hay or baleage, stand decline is a common issue many producers face. Unfortunately, like most things there is no simple answer...Read the complete article "How Low Can You Go? The Cutting Height Debate"

Pesticide Container Recycling Program

The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Pesticide Regulation Section has announced the 2022 dates and drop-off locations (pdf) for its Pesticide Container Recycling Program. On certain days from June through September farmers, pesticide applicators, and other users can recycle used plastic pesticide containers at no cost at locations in Frederick, Harford, Kent, Montgomery, Talbot, Washington, and Wicomico counties. Click on link for more information on the Pesticide Container Recycling Program

Events and Meetings

Event: Fundamentals of Soil Science and Soil Fertility for Nutrient Management
Date: July 20, 2022  | Wednesday
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  |  Location: Online
Description: Dr. Ruppert, Nutrient Management Program Coordinator, will be presenting a webinar about basic soil science and soil fertility as it relates to Maryland nutrient management. Participants who are certified farmers or consultants may earn 2 CEUs in Maryland Nutrient Management.The link to register is here: https://go.umd.edu/ANMP-summer-webinar-series-July
 

Save the date on August 3rd from 12pm to 2pm for a second summer webinar covering more advanced soil nutrient cycling and fertilizer management topics, also worth 2 CEUs.

Event: 4R & Agronomy Field Day
Date: August 31, 2022 |  Wednesday
Time: 8:00 a.m. |  Location: Wye Research and Education Center, 211 Farm Lane, Queenstown, MD 21658
Cost: Free (Online registration is required!)
Description: The Delaware-Maryland 4R Alliance and the University of Maryland Agronomy Program are hosting the 2022 4R & Agronomy Field Day this August. Credits are pending at this time, but we will keep our website up-to-date.

Event: Maryland Commodity Classic
Date: July 28, 2022  | Thursday
Location: Queen Anne's County 4-H Park, Centreville, Maryland
Cost: Members of the Maryland Grain Producers Association will receive a free ticket in the mail to attend. Tickets will be sent in June to those members. If you would like to become a member please click here for membership information

Non-members are encouraged to attend for $10 a ticket before 2:30 PM or $20 a ticket after 2:30 PM. There is no entry after 3:30 PM.

Get tickets

Description: This year’s event will consist of research presentations with continuing education credits. Followed by networking and our annual business meeting. Our 2022 Dr. Miller Awardee and Scholarship Recipients will be acknowledged. USDA Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack has been invited to speak! Ending the day, enjoy a crab feast as well as a chicken and pork bbq! A more detailed schedule will be available shortly.

Members of the Maryland Grain Producers Association will receive a free ticket in the mail to attend. Tickets will be sent in June to those members. If you would like to become a member please click here.

Upcoming ALEI Webinar Series

In August 2022, the Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI) will host a webinar series to discuss business structure considerations for farm entrepreneurs. A farm’s business structure affects daily operations, taxes, the ability to have multiple investors, succession planning, and personal liability exposure. Farm owners should be sure they choose a business structure that gives them the right balance of legal protections and benefits according to their business goals. All are welcome to attend, however, the webinars will be particularly valuable for beginning farmers.

Each Monday in August, 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST, attendees will have an opportunity to hear from diverse legal, accounting, and insurance professionals and growers on a new topic to consider for managing their farm operation. The webinars will cover the major considerations when making a decision about how to structure a farm business. A bonus session is also scheduled for Wednesday August 31 (12:00 - 1:00 PM EST) to hear from a farm owner about their experience choosing and managing their business structure.

• August 1: Choosing Your Farm Business Structure.
• August 15: Figuring Out Farm Business Insurance Needs.
• August 22: Understanding Tax & Accounting for Your Business Structure.
• August 29: Putting It Together - Nonprofits.
• August 31: Putting It Together with Butterbee Farms, LLC.

Registration is free. Anyone interested in attending any of the sessions can register online at  https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/alei-august-webinar-series-2022-403099 or contact Megan Todd at motodd@law.umaryland.edu.

This work is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant no. 2021-49400-35619 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.