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TRANSCRIPT
Hello, Harford County! Welcome to 2017! With the New
Year comes new opportunities, and as farmers and producers in the field of agriculture, new opportunity and renewed optimism gets us excited and ready to start anew! However, as important as preparation for the next growing season is, it is equally important to take a moment and review what happened last year so that you can make better informed decisions in the future. Taking a look at the weather, yield and production data, input costs and expenses, sales, and management information are all big factors you want to look at in review. This past year’s growing season in Maryland was decent; but I wouldn’t call it great. A very wet and cold spring delayed corn planting, which certainly hurt yields. Rainfall was adequate, and in some cases excessive, in late spring through early summer, which made small grain harvest and double-cropping soybeans a bit challenging. Hot and dry weather hit us around July, which also could have adversely affected corn that was flowering during this timeframe. Fall was exceptionally dry, which affected germination of some fall-sown cover crops and small grains. In general, the US Corn Belt had a slightly better growing season than we did, pushing the US average to a potential record-setting 175.3 bushels per acre. If that estimate holds true, it would break the
University of
Maryland Extension
Harford County Office
P.O. Box 663
2335 Rock Spring Road
Forest Hill, MD 21050
(410) 638-3255
M—F 8:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
Extension.umd.edu/harford-county
facebook.com/HarfordAg
Andrew Kness
Ag Extension Educator
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
previous record national average corn yield set in 2014 of 171 bu/a. This is pretty impressive considering the national average was 146 bu/a just ten years ago. For 2016, Maryland comes in at an average of 165 bu/a; but you don’t have to go too far away from home to realize how fortunate we were. Virginia and Pennsylvania’s crop yielded 153 and 134 bu/a, respectively. Delaware came in slightly better than Maryland, at 170 bu/a, but most of their acreage is irrigated.
Maryland soybeans averaged 44 bu/a, and nationally 52.5 bu/a. Our large number of double-cropped beans is responsible for this 8.5 bushel difference.
National average for soft red winter wheat was 55.3 bu/a; Maryland’s average was 64 bu/a. Barley yielded 77.9 and 72 bu/a nationally and in Maryland, respectively.
These statistics that I’ve summarized here are just for the common agronomic crops we grow here in Maryland and Harford County. I encourage you to look at your year in review for your operation and what you raise; your crops, individual fields, soils, your livestock, your production practices, etc. and see what happened. Keep these records and observations for future reference; you may begin to notice trends that could help you make better decisions going forward. And if you’re not keeping good records, maybe consider making that your 2017 New Year’s resolution.
Until next time, -Andy
Mid-Winter Agronomy
Meeting
2
2016 Corn Hybrid Results 2
Precision Dairy
Technology Program
2
Small Farm Workshop 3
FSMA Produce Safety
Training
3
Winter Fruit & Vegetable
Meetings
4
Maryland’s Surging
Horse Industry
5
Nutrient Management
Training
6
Ag Plastics Recycling
Program
7
The Extension Office will be closed on
January 16 in observance of Martin
Luther King Day.
The 2016 Maryland corn hybrid tests prepared by Robert Kratochvil and
Louis Thorne are now available. The results from these replicated trials provide
agronomic performance information about the corn hybrids tested at five
Maryland locations considered representative of the state’s geography, soil, and
weather conditions. These trials can be a valuable resource for growers looking
for the best performing corn hybrids. Selecting hybrids with good relative yield
and yield stability across many or all locations, and in multiple years (if possible),
is recommended; selecting a hybrid based on a single trial location and year is
not recommended. A copy of the report can be found online by clicking here, or
contact Andy at the Harford County Extension Office to request a hard copy.
Don’t forget, wheat and barley trials are also available at this link.
2016 Corn Hybrid Test Results
The Harford County Mid-Winter Agronomy Meeting will
be held on February 14, 2017 at the Deer Creek Overlook on
6 Cherry Hill Rd. in Street, MD. The meeting will satisfy the
credit requirements for private applicator pesticide re-
certification and nutrient management voucher training. Check-in begins at 8:30 and the
program will begin at 9 a.m. This year’s topics include: utilizing poultry manure
effectively, Dicamba herbicides in Xtend beans, best practices for soybeans, legal
considerations for buying and selling farmland, and agronomic disease updates.
Participants will also have an opportunity to meet with local agribusiness vendors and
sponsors. A full program agenda can be found here. Registration is $12 in advance or
$20 at the door and includes lunch. Please call the Harford County Extension Office at
(410) 638-3255 or e-mail Andy at [email protected] to register.
Mid-Winter Agronomy Meeting
Precision Dairy Technology Program
Mid-Atlantic Crop School Presentations Online
February 14 8:30—3:30 p.m. Deer Creek Overlook
Photo: Edwin Remsberg
If you didn’t attend the 2016 Mid-Atlantic Crop School in Ocean City this past
November, missed a talk, or just want to go back and review, you can now view the
presentations online. Go to Youtube and search for “2016 mid-Atlantic Crop School” and
you will see a playlist for all the recorded presentations.
The Harford County Extension Office will
be offering a winter dairy program focusing on
precision technology for dairy farms. Specialist
from Maryland, Penn State, and industry will
be giving interactive presentations on topics including precision feeding, precision
technology for forages, weed management in forages, rumination monitoring, and
thoughts on making technology investments on the farm. This one-day class is free
and includes morning refreshments and lunch, but please register ahead of time by
calling the Extension Office at (410) 638-3255 or e-mail [email protected].
February 28 9:30—2:15 p.m.
Harford County Extension Office
FSMA & Produce Safety Training The Baltimore County Extension Office will be offering a training workshop series
for farmers, growers, and food processors who need to comply with Food Safety
Modernization Act (FSMA) produce safety rule, preventive controls rule or both
(growers who grow leafy greens, tomatoes, berries, cucumber, etc. and/or process
them into ready-to-eat products). To know if it applies to you, visit the US FDA
website here and here. There’s also a good article written by Sarah Everhart of
University of Maryland that you can find here for further interpretation of the rule and whether it applies to you.
Others who are exempt from the rule but need to comply with the rules due to supply-chain demands, new
farmers and entrepreneurs in processed food business, or those that want to remain up-to-date with the FSMA
regulations and how to comply with them are all welcome to attend.
Cost will be as follows: $20 for Produce Safety training only, $40 for Prevention Control Rule training
only, or, $50 for hybrid training (both topics).
February 8 will be the produce safety training workshop, and February 9-11 will be preventative controls
training. A detailed agenda will be available upon registration. Click here to register, or contact Rohan Tikekar
(301-405-4509, [email protected]) or Justine Beaulieu ([email protected]) for more information.
Annie’s Project is a discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from experts in
production, financial management, human resources, marketing and the legal field. Annie’s Project will be held
between Jan. 18 and May 9 at the following locations: Cecil County, Central Maryland, Caroline County, Howard
County, Prince George's County and Allegany County. Women Managing Commercial Poultry, an Annie’s Project
Course with a focus on the female poultry producer and will be held at Georgetown and Dover Delaware.
The cost of the course including meals and materials is $75. For more information and to register
visit www.extension.umd.edu/annies-project, e-mail Victoria Corcoran at [email protected] or call the Talbot County
Extension Office at (410) 822-1244. The program is open to all and is sponsored by the University of Maryland
Extension, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Delaware Cooperative Extension. Annie’s Project has been
approved for FSA Borrower Training. For more information, please contact your FSA loan officer.
This workshop series will explore what it takes
to be successful on a small-scale farm. Each session
covers topics that are applicable to a variety of
agricultural operations, including fruit and
vegetable production and a look at how livestock
can enhance a small farming operation.
This program is a collaborative effort between
UMD Extension, Baltimore County and Future Harvest CASA’s new Beginner Farmer
Training Program (BFTP). Additional partners include Civic Works’ Real Food Farm,
and several agricultural professionals and successful farmers in the region, including
graduates of the BFTP.
To register, please call the Baltimore County Extension Office at (410) 887-8090,
or register online by clicking here.
Starting a Small Commercial Farm For Local Markets
February 8-11 7:30—5:30 p.m. Baltimore County Extension Office Cockeysville, MD
January 18-March 22 Wednesdays
6:30—9:00 p.m. Baltimore County
Extension Office Cockeysville, MD
Ever measured your garden ecological footprint?
Now through
March 3, 2017 –
Open Registration
for the Harford
County Master
Gardeners 2017
Training Program at the Harford County Extension
Office, 2335 Rock Spring Road, Forest Hill, MD. Class
cost is $250.00, which includes course handbook and
materials. Class will be held Tuesday and Thursday
mornings (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.), March 14th through May
2nd.
Do you love to garden? Want to expand your
horticultural knowledge? Any Maryland resident, age
18 years or older, who likes working with people and
plants and has a thirst for knowledge can become a
Harford County Master Gardener. The Maryland Master
Gardeners Program is designed to train participants as
volunteer horticultural educators to support the
University of Maryland Extension mission by “educating
residents about safe, effective and sustainable
horticultural practices that build healthy gardens,
landscapes, and communities.” Participants receive 40+
hours of basic training from University of Maryland
Extension specialists, local horticultural authorities and
Master Gardeners, then must complete 40 hours of
required volunteer service.
If you are interested in being considered as a
candidate and would like to schedule an interview date,
please contact Joyce Browning, Harford County Master
Gardener Coordinator, at [email protected] or (410)
638-3255. Please provide your name, address and
phone number.
Winter Fruit & Vegetable Meetings
Become a Master Gardener and learn sustainable garden practices that can improve our impact on the land
Central Maryland Vegetable Growers Meeting: January 27, 8:15—3:30 p.m.
Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Convention: January 31—February 2 (all day)
Bay Area Fruit Meeting: February 17, 8:30—3:30 p.m.
Wye Research &
Education Center
Queenstown, MD
Registration: $25 (pre-registration required),
includes lunch. Call (410) 827-8056 x 115 for
additional information and to register.
Hershey Lodge &
Convention Center
Hershey, PA
Registration: $65 in advance for members,
$110 for non-members (one day), $150 for
non-members (3 day). Additional info online.
Friendly Farm Restaurant
Upperco, MD
Registration: $15 in advance, $25 at door.
Call (410) 887-8090 or click here to register.
Registration for the Central Maryland Vegetable Growers Meeting and the Bay Area
Fruit Meeting includes lunch. Private pesticide applicator recertification and nutrient
management voucher training credits are available at all three meetings.
An economic impact study of the Maryland horse
industry shows that Maryland horse farming brings in
more than $1.15 billion in economic activity a year,
23% higher than the $930 million it generated in 2010.
The survey findings were announced at a news
conference held at Goucher College in Towson.
Speaking at the announcement were Anirban Basu,
chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group, Joe
Bartenfelder, secretary of the Maryland Department
of Agriculture, and Dr. José Antonio Bowen, president
of Goucher College.
Top survey findings by the Sage Policy Group show
that the Maryland horse industry supports
approximately 5,800 full-time jobs across Maryland
(9,100 by including indirect FTE positions), with nearly
a half a billion dollars in wage and salary income.
Spending in the horse industry exceeded $660 million
in 2015.
The survey estimates that if the current pace of
industry expansion continues through 2020, the
industry will have a $1.5 billion yearly economic
impact on Maryland and would support more than
11,000 jobs with $620 million in employee income.
[The findings do not include the impact of racetrack
operations, including the Preakness. The Preakness
alone generates more than $30 million in statewide
economic impact each year.]
The Sage Policy Group's findings are significant. After
years of decline, Maryland's horse industry, which is
interconnected and involves more than racing, is on
the upswing.
While spending on equipment, personnel and physical
structures is on the rise, according to the report it
would grow even more quickly if there was less
uncertainty about the State's commitment to the
current slots funding formula. Currently, 7% of slot
machine revenues at Maryland casinos are directed to
the Purse Dedication Account and the Racetrack
Facilities Renewal Account at Maryland horse racing
tracks.
"Several years ago, Maryland's voters and elective
representatives decided to allow the state's horse
farming industry to compete on a more level playing
field. The result has been a thriving horse farming
industry. Back then, the industry's in-state economic
impact had dipped below $1 billion and was rapidly in
decline," said Basu of the Sage Policy Group. "Today,
impact easily exceeds $1 billion, and Maryland's
industry is regaining lost regional market share. This is
translating into more jobs, higher incomes, better
entertainment, long-delayed physical upgrades,
elevated tax collections and millions of dollars’ worth
of preserved open space."
“Horses are a critical component to Maryland’s
agricultural industry. The continued success of
Maryland’s horse industry is an important part of
growing our economy and creating jobs for more
Marylanders, and it’s helping to preserve our farmland
and open spaces as well,” said Governor Larry Hogan.
“I’m so pleased to see Maryland’s horse industry
make such a comeback after some challenging years.
The horse industry is a major contributor to
Maryland’s agriculture economy through hay and
bedding suppliers, feed stores and grain growers, and
a multitude of small businesses that service the
industry,” said Secretary Bartenfelder.
The Sage Policy group sent surveys to more than
1,000 stakeholders to collect hard, operational
statistics to drive the analysis. Nearly 700 surveys
were completed by stakeholders from every county
in Maryland.
Maryland’s Surging Horse Industry From Maryland Horse News (abridged)
Nitrogen is an important nutrient, however it is very
unstable and mobile in the environment. Nutrient
Management Advisors have several tools that are available
to the farmer to keep tabs on nitrogen.
1) The Fall Soil Nitrate Test (FSNT) is available to determine
nitrate levels in a field prior to planting wheat or barley.
This test is required prior to fertilizing and is available
through your Extension Office or private soil labs. You may
be wondering why enough nitrogen would already be in the
soil after a productive crop. In addition to residual nitrogen,
nitrogen can be made available through mineralization and
nitrogen fixation. Mineralization increases plant-available
nitrogen by breaking down organic matter. Microbes, crop
residue, manure, and sewage sludge are mineralized to
ammonium. Nitrogen fixation occurs when specialized
microorganisms capture nitrogen gas and release it as plant
-available nitrogen. Residual nitrogen is inorganic nitrate
and ammonium that remains in the soil after a crop has
been harvested. This can result from inefficiency of plant
uptake (i.e. drought) or over-fertilization.
2) Pre-sidedress nitrate test (PSNT) is an in-season soil test
for corn that is done prior to sidedressing (available through
the Extension Office or private labs). As the soil warms,
microbial activity increases and organic nitrogen begins to
mineralize. A PSNT will accurately measure the quantity of
nitrate present in a field and determine if additional nitrogen
is necessary. Consult your nutrient management advisor for
more information.
3) Nitrogen Management tools included in the nutrient
management plan itself are:
a) Field history– A nitrogen credit is given based on manure
application and/or a previous legume crop.
b) Crop yield goals– This determines the amount of nitrogen
needed for the crop. A 5-year rolling yield average can be
used to determine realistic yield goals. Good records will help
with management, planning, and goal-setting.
c) Split-application of fertilizer- University research in
Maryland and across the US has determined that split-
applications of fertilizers result in greater nitrogen use
efficiency and higher crop yields. The Nutrient Management
Plan gives recommendations in split-applications to
encourage farmers to adopt this practice.
d) Manure incorporation– If you apply and incorporate
manure, tell your nutrient management advisor. It is also
important to know the length of time from application to
incorporation. Incorporation allows for capturing ammonium
nitrogen, and the more that’s captured, the more that is
available for your crops.
e) Manure spreader calibration– Ensures accurate manure
application. Contact your nutrient management advisor for
more information or assistance calibrating your spreader.
These tools used with best management practices will help
keep tabs on nitrogen. Consider making them a part of your
next nutrient management planning process.
Want more on Nitrogen? Call the office or click here.
Nutrient Management Training
Tools For Keeping Tabs On Nitrogen
The Farmer Training and Certification workshops provide opportunities for producers with cropland and pastures who
use commercial fertilizer and/or manure to learn how to write nutrient management plans for their operation that meet
Maryland Department of Agriculture’s regulations. Individuals with fields or pastures high in soil test phosphorus may
require additional training and a greater time commitment.
Attendees will receive a detailed training binder, certification (upon passing MDA exam), and nutrient management
voucher training credits. Registrations fees must be received 10 days before the first class. For more information, please call
(410) 841-5959. A copy of the registration form can be found online here, or contact Andy at the Extension Office.
#1 University of MD Wye
Research Center
Jan 17 (snow date Jan 20) and Jan 30 (exam and
plan writing; snow date Feb. 3)
$35 (includes
lunch on 1st day)
#2 Howard County
Extension Office
Jan 24 (snow date Jan 27) and Feb 10 (exam and
plant writing; snow date Feb 17)
$35 (includes
lunch on 1st day)
#3 Frederick County
Extension Office
Feb 28, Mar 2 & 7 (snow date Mar 9) and Mar 16
(exam) and Mar 28 (plan writing)
$20 certification
fee
Patricia Hoopes, Nutrient Management Advisor, University of Maryland Extension—Harford County
(410) 638-3255 | [email protected]
Chesapeake Foodshed Conference
[email protected] Extension.umd.edu/Harford-county
Ag Plastics Recycling Program
Dairy Youth Scholarships
Andrew Kness
Faculty Extension Educator
Agriculture and
Natural Resources
The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all citizens and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color,
sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression. The
information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by University of Maryland Extension is implied.
facebook.com/HarfordAg
Back-issues of this publication can be found at: https://extension.umd.edu/news/newsletters/657
The Maryland Dairy Shrine is offering scholarships for students in 2017. To
qualify, applicants must me 22 years old or younger (as of Dec 31 of the award year),
a current or prior member of a Maryland dairy breed organization, and currently
attending a two or four-year college. Applications must be postmarked by January
15. For more details, visit https://sites.google.com/site/mddairyshrine/applications.
Future Harvest CASA will hold its 18th annual
Cultivate the Chesapeake Foodshed conference in College
Park. The three-day gathering of farmers and food policy
advocates will feature four nationally known keynote
speakers, eight conference tracks, and 48 sessions. In
addition, the conference offers including: beginning farming, grassfed: meat & dairy, made local: artisanal foods
environment, community & policy, the business of farming, everybody eats: health & food, crop production, and
soil health. The conference has grown into one of the largest food and agriculture meetings in the lower Mid-
Atlantic. Registration is now open with early bird rates available. To view the rest of the program, please visit
https://www.futureharvestcasa.org/conference/2017-conference.
The Harford Waste Disposal Center (HWDC) on Scarboro Rd. in Street, MD
is piloting a new agricultural plastics recycling program. Growers can pick up
“supersacks” from the HWDC and fill them with ag plastics, then drop of the
supersacks to the HWDC once they are full. Each type of plastic should
separated into different supersacks and each sack must be labeled with the
type of plastic it contains. Acceptable plastics are: polypropylene baler twine
(no hay net), feed bags and white supersacks, colored supersacks, clear stretch
wrap and shrink covering, clear greenhouse covers, white bale wrap, bundled
drip tape, polystyrene greenhouse trays (stacked); no mulch or reinforced
trench cover. Plastic should be dry and cut or rolled into manageable pieces.
Avoid mud and manure as much as
possible (store on concrete or asphalt
pad). When supersacks are full, call
(240) 755-9944 to schedule a time to
drop off at the HWDC and pick up
additional supersacks.
Contact Melissa Filiaggi at
[email protected] or (240) 755-9944
with any questions or to schedule a
drop-off or pick up time.
