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

Forage Performance of Cereal Cover Crops in Maryland 2017-2018 Cereal Forage Study

Dr. Bob Kratochvil, Extension Agronomist; Mr. Louis Thorne, Agricultural Research Technician Supervisor; Dr. Jason Wight, Field Trials Coordinator; Ms. Jessica Whitaker,

Student Assistant; Ms. Sonia Agu, Student Assistant

SEPTEMBER 2018 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6

Inside this issue

Cereal Forage Trials 1

Nutrient Management Workshops

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Fall Nutrient Management Update

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Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School

5

2018 Wheat Trials 6

Estimating Corn & Soybean Yields

7

Bay Watershed Action Plan

8

Syngenta Settlement 9

USDA Trade Aid 10

2018 Crop Insurance Workshop

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Chlorpyrifos Ban 11

Farm Bill Guide 11

Domino Sugar Lyme Product

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Weather Outlook 13

Regional Crop Reports 15

The majority of dairy farmers are constantly looking for sources of forage to meet their feed needs. One source that many of this region’s dairy farmers utilize is the fall planting of cereal grains that are green-chop harvested the following spring. Among the cereal species used for this purpose are rye, triticale, barley, and wheat. Per the Maryland Cover Crop Program guidelines, cereal grains planted as a cover crop prior to November 5 and suppressed via green-chop in the spring are eligible for the grant payment for participation in the Cover Crop Program. In addition, per the Nutrient Management Regulations, a fall application of dairy manure is allowed to a field planted to a cereal cover crop.

Planting a cereal cover crop for green chop harvest fits well into the crop rotation used by many dairy farmers. The scenario that many follow is to plant the cereal cover crop following harvest of corn silage. Prior to planting the cover crop, an application of manure is made to the field. The subsequent planting of the cover crop provides incorporation of the manure into

the soil. The fall and spring growth of the cover crop is supplied nutrients from the manure. At the same time, the cover crop provides protection to the soil from loss of nutrients via leaching and/or erosion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of 18 triticale varieties submitted by participating companies along with select varieties of four cereal species (3 triticale, 3 rye, 1 barley and 1 wheat) for cover crop performance and forage production and quality.

The location for this study was the Central Maryland Research and Education Center – Clarksville Facility. Four replications for each entry were planted at the field site using a randomized complete block experimental design. Planting date was October 3, 2017. The 3.5’ X 18’ plots

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

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2018

were planted with a small plot planter with 6-inch spacing between each of the 7-rows. Each entry’s germination percentage was used to calculate the seeding rate needed to establish 1.5 million seedlings. Good stands were observed for all entries by late fall.

In order to compare forage quality among the entries that headed over a period of ten days, the timing of the biomass harvest was when each entry reached the late boot stage of development. Each harvest sample was collected by cutting the plants just above ground level from two center rows of each plot from an area 2.5 feet in length. Each sample was placed into a cloth bag and dried using a forced air dryer set at 60 °C where they remained until sample water content was zero. Biomass yield is reported as pounds of dry matter production per acre (Table 1). Each of the dried samples was ground through a 20-mesh screen using a large plant grinder. All samples were sent to the Cumberland Valley Analytical Laboratory (Waynesboro, PA; www.foragelab.com) for standard forage quality analysis. Data for all agronomic and forage quality measurements are found in Table 1. Table 2 identifies the Company/Source and address/phone number for the participants who supplied the cereal varieties tested in this study.

Producers are always interested in biomass production. Notable entries for biomass production were BCT15513 (Seed-link, Inc.) and Mercer EXP508 (Eddie Mercer Agri-Services, Inc.). Cover crop

performance is measured by amount of biomass produced and the concentration of nitrogen in the biomass. These two factors were used to estimate nitrogen uptake (Table 1). The top two entries for cover crop performance were Cover Crop Rye and the triticale variety, Mercer EXP508 (Table 1). The only entry to have nitrogen uptake that was significantly less than the mean for the study was the triticale variety, TriCal 813 (37 lb N/a). This is due to its production of only 2379 lb/a biomass and a low crude protein content (9.8%).

A number of forage quality characteristics for these cereals was measured (Table 1). The descriptions of the various quality characteristic are described in the footnotes at the bottom of Table 1. The characteristic that perhaps best captures the overall forage quality performance is Relative Feed Value (RFV). A RFV of 100 is defined as the forage value that full bloom alfalfa would have. The barley variety, Nomini, and the triticale variety, TriCal Exp 917 (TriCal Superior Forage) had the best RFV (107).

Though, none of these greenchop cereal forages are considered to be adequate as a stand-alone feed for a dairy operation, they can supply a source of forage used in a total mixed ration (TMR) at the time of year when feed supply may be running short. When this forage benefit is added to the environmental benefit that is gained, planting winter cereal cover crops on a dairy farm can be a win-win decision.

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 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2018

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2018

Nutrient Management Plan Writing Workshops The Maryland Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland Extension will offer two, one-day workshops titled, How to Write a Nutrient Management Plan. The first workshop will be held September 21 at the Montgomery Extension Office in Derwood, and the second workshop will be held September 28 at the Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown. The workshops are designed for people who are new to the nutrient management plan-writing process. Participants will learn how write a nutrient management plan using NuMan Pro, the nutrient management planning software program while earning six credit hours toward the Maryland Nutrient Management Program’s continuing education requirement. The $20 registration fee covers materials and lunch. Register before September 15 by calling (410) 841-5959 or visiting the program’s website.

Fall Nutrient Management Update Maryland’s fall nutrient application dates run from September 10 through December 15.

Farmers are required to plant cover crops on fallow fields where organic nutrient sources have been applied in the fall. The planting deadline is November 15. Organic nutrient sources may be applied between November 16 and December 15 to cover crops and other vegetative cover that have been previously planted.

A fall application of an organic nutrient source (not poultry litter) may be made to an existing crop, a crop to be planted during the fall, or a crop to be planted the following spring before June 1 following crop fertility recommendations provided in the Maryland Nutrient Management Manual. If imported organic sources are used, a Fall Soil Nitrate Test (FSNT) must be taken in advance to determine if additional nitrogen is warranted for a

commodity small grain crop.

Poultry litter may be applied in the fall for an existing crop or crop to be planted in the fall. If the crop to be planted will be harvested as a small grain crop for commodity purposes, a FSNT must be taken to determine if it is eligible to receive nitrogen.

A fall application of a chemical fertilizer may be made to an existing crop or crop to be planted during this time period based on crop fertility recommendations provided in the Maryland Nutrient Management Manual.

Nutrient applications are prohibited during the fall application period when the soil is saturated, when the ground is covered with snow greater than one inch, or when the ground is hard-frozen greater than two inches. For more information, contact MDA’s Nutrient Management Program at (410) 841-5959.

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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 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 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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Fall Control of Perennial Weeds Mark VanGessel, Extension Weed Specialist

University of Delaware

2018 Wheat Trials Nidhi Rawat, Small Grain Plant Pathologist & Jason Wight, Field Trials Coordinator Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2018

Click this link to view the

2018 Wheat Variety Trial Report Click this link to view the

2018 Head Scab/DON Trial Report

Results from the 2018 Maryland wheat variety trials have been posted. Wheat yields and quality were lower than average due to scab that was widespread across the state. For evaluating variety resistance to scab (Fusarium head blight), check out the data from our misted nursery, which is an assessment of how susceptible select varieties are to scab. Variety resistance to scab should be an important factor when selecting your 2019 wheat varieties. Follow the links to access the complete reports or contact your local extension office for a hard copy.

Fall is often the best time and the most convenient time to treat most perennial weeds because it is the time that plants are best able to translocate the herbicide to the roots where it will do the most good. When considering fall weed control, the emphasis should be on what the patch of weeds will look like next spring or summer not the amount of dead stems this fall. Also, it is important to consider that a fall application will not eradicate a stand of perennial weeds; the fall application will reduce the stand size or the plant vigor, but applications in consecutive years are likely needed.

Fall application of glyphosate is the most flexible treatment for most perennial weeds such as bermudagrass, Canada thistle, common milkweed, common pokeweed, yellow nutsedge, horsenettle and johnsongrass. Rates of 1 to 1.25 lb acid per acre are

consistently the most economical (or about 1.5X the normal use rate for annual weeds). Dicamba (Banvel) at 2 to 4 pints is also labeled for artichoke, bindweeds, dock, hemp dogbane, horsenettle, milkweeds, pokeweed or Canada thistle. Planting small grains must be delayed after dicamba application 20 days per pint of dicamba applied.

Fall herbicide applications should be made to actively growing plants. It is best to spray prior to mowing the corn stalks and allowing plants to recover after harvest. Allow 10 to 14 days after treatment before disturbing the treated plants. If fall applications are delayed, remember weed species differ in their sensitivity to frost; some are easily killed by frost (i.e. horsenettle) others can withstand relatively heavy frosts. Check the weeds prior to application to be sure they are actively growing.

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Estimating Corn and Soybean Yields Kelly Nichols, Agriculture Agent Associate

University of Maryland Extension, Frederick County

Corn

Estimating corn yield can be done in a few simple steps. You’ll need a measuring tape, pencil, and a notepad, or the worksheet below. In order to get the best estimate, it is recommended to take several samples from representative areas of the field.

Step 1. Measure 1/1000th of an acre. If you have 30-inch rows, you will need to measure 17.4 feet. If your row spacing is different, take 43.56 sq. ft./A divided by the row spacing in feet. For example, a 20-inch row spacing is 1.67 feet. 43.56 ÷ 1.67 = 26.1 feet, so you’ll need to measure 26.1 feet of the row.

Step 2. Count the total number of ears in the measured section of the row.

Write the number of ears here: ________________ (A)

Step 3. On three different ears, count the number of rows per ear, as well as the number of kernels per row. Do not count aborted or damaged kernels, as they will not contribute to yield. Next, calculate the total and the average. The picture below shows the direction to count in for each measurement.

Step 4. Calculate the number of kernels per ear. To do this, multiply the average number of rows per ear (B) by the number of kernels per row (C) from Step 3.

___________ rows per ear (B) X _______________ kernels per ear (C) = __________ kernels per ear (D).

Step 5. Calculate the number of kernels per acre. Multiply the number of kernels per ear (D) by the number of ears (A) by 1,000.

___________ kernels per ear (D) X ________ number of ears (A) X 1,000 = ________ kernels per acre (E).

Step 6. Estimate yield at 15.5% moisture. Divide the number of kernels per acre (E) by 90,000 kernels/bu.

________ kernels per acre (E) ÷ 90,000 = ________ estimated bu/A.

Step 7. If you would like to estimate silage yield, Penn State Extension suggests dividing the estimated grain yield by a factor of 6.5 to 7.5. This will provide an estimate of wet tons at 35% dry matter.

Soybean

Just a few notes on estimating soybean yield. In order to reduce variability of soybean yield estimates, sample more than five areas in a field. (However, this can be time-consuming.) Also, wait until the soybeans have reach at least the R6 growth stage; at this growth stage, the soybeans have green pods with seeds that fill the pod. This will provide a more realistic yield estimate.

Estimating soybean yield involves counting the number of pods in a specified area of the field. You will also need the number of seeds per pod (2.5 can be used as a conservative estimate), as well as the

seed size factor. There are two excellent resources which explain the steps of estimating soybean yield:

1) Estimating Soybean Yields – Simplified: a fact sheet by Dr. Shaun Casteel, Purdue Soybean Extension Specialist.

2) Estimating Soybean Yields: a video by Dr. Liz Bosak, Penn State Extension Field & Forage Crops Educator.

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2018

Number of Rows per ear

Number of Kernels per Row

Ear #1

Ear #2

Ear #3

Total (sum of three ears)

Average (Total divided by 3)

(B) (C)

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NRCS Releases Its Chesapeake Bay Watershed Action Plan Nicole Cook, Legal Specialist

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Originally posted to the Maryland Risk Management Education Blog

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently released its three-year Chesapeake Bay Watershed Action Plan outlining the agency’s priorities and goals for using current and future Farm Bill conservation programs to help farmers and forest landowners improve the water quality and health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

As the largest estuary in the U.S., the Chesapeake Bay has been the focus of efforts to improve water quality and associated fish and wildlife habitat for the past 35 years. Although the USDA’s most recent Conservation Effects Assessment Project report documented a significant reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus loss (20 percent and 44 percent, respectively) resulting from conservation practices implemented since 2006 and recent record gains reported in recovery of submerged aquatic vegetation or bay grasses, the Bay’s network of more than 150 rivers and streams spanning D.C., Virginia, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia continue to be contaminated with excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphorus as a result of a combination of factors such as a growing population, sewage treatment plants, agriculture, industrial plants and the atmosphere.

Agricultural land comprises nearly 30 percent of the watershed, and the region has more than 83,000 farms producing more than $10 billion in agricultural products each year. After forestland, agriculture is the largest land use in the watershed, and according to 2015 estimates from the Chesapeake Bay Program, agriculture is the single largest source of nutrient and sediment pollution entering the Chesapeake Bay contributing 42 percent of the nitrogen, 55 percent of the phosphorous and 60 percent of the sediment.

The original Chesapeake Bay Agreement was signed in 1983 to establish a framework for restoration for the Bay. In 2010, a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) water quality goal was established under the Clean Water Act (CWA). For more information about why and how the Chesapeake Bay is regulated under the CWA and the role TMDLs play in the regulatory scheme, check out this post or search this blog using “TDML” to see all of our posts related to TDMLs.

NRCS’s new plan emphasizes that there are many overlapping and complementary strategies that rely upon or can be supported by NRCS’s financial and technical assistance. The strategies may have federal, state, or more local drivers. In order to best compliment the varied strategies, NRCS has established a set of broad priorities and strategies in its new plan that may be consistently applied across the watershed, but which NRCS says are flexible enough to meet local conditions. The plan is centered on a targeted rollout of programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program. They include helping producers implement conservation practices that improve water and soil quality as well as fish and wildlife habitat on hundreds of thousands of acres. NRCS has said that it will incorporate any new provisions from the 2018 Farm Bill into the plan.

The plan outlines NRCS's goals for fiscal years 2018-2020. These include:

Helping producers implement conservation practices that improve water quality on 920,000 acres, improve soil health on 700,000 acres, and improve fish and wildlife habitat on 120,000 acres;

Training 4,700 public and private conservation professionals to plan and implement conservation practices that improve water quality, soil health, or fish and wildlife habitat;

Reaching 15,900 new, underserved or priority customers by 2020 about NRCS’s programs and services that address critical resource concerns in the Watershed; and

Increasing public participation by engaging 27,700 public and private partners and citizens in public meetings and committees to gain feedback about the agency’s programs and services in the watershed.

To learn more about NRCS’s activities in the Watershed, visit NRCS’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed webpage. For more information about conservation programs available in your area, contact your local USDA service center.

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2018

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2018

Corn Growers and Eligible Landlords Need to File Claims by October 12 Paul Goeringer, Extension Legal Specialist

University of Maryland, College Park

Earlier this year, I wrote on the preliminary approval of the $1.51 billion MIR162 Syngenta settlement. This settlement, reached in September 2017 and officially announced in March 2018, would settle claims by U.S. farmers for Syngenta bringing Viptera and Duracade corn varieties to market before approval in China. Corn growers and eligible landlords will need to file claims electronically at www.cornseedsettlement.com, or by calling 1-833-567-CORN(2676) to request a paper form by October 12, 2018. Corn growers and eligible landlords can expect to see payments being mailed out in April 2019, if the settlement is given final approval later this year.

The settlement includes all U.S. corn farmers, including those who opted out of the original class action suit and those who grew Agrisure Duracade corn and Agrisure Viptera corn varieties. The settlement will also include landlords who based rental rates on yield or price, such as a flex-lease based on yield or price or a crop-share lease. Fixed cash landlords are not eligible to participate. The period included in the settlement is September 15, 2013, through the 2018 crop year. Corn growers and eligible landlords are not required to retain an attorney to assist in collecting on this settlement.

The settlement will include four classes defined as:

Class 1: Growers and eligible landlords who did not use Duricade or Viptera,

Class 2: Growers and eligible landlords who did use Duricade or Viptera,

Class 3: Grain handlers, and

Class 4: Ethanol producers.

Claims to three of the four classes will have limited recovery amounts:

Class 2 will be limited to $22.6 million,

Class 3 will be limited to $29.9 million, and

Class 4 will be limited to $19.5 million.

Class 1 will receive a minimum of $1.44 billion, with the bulk of the settlement going to corn growers and eligible landlords who did not grow Duricade or Viptera corn seeds. If a person qualifies in two classes (for example, you grew Duracade seed one year but not in other years), you are permitted under terms of the proposed settlement to collect as long as the recovery

is not duplicative. The settlement does not allow for recovery of silage or fed on-farm corn.

Corn growers and eligible landlords in Class 1 and Class 2 will prove the amount they are entitled to recover using USDA’s Form FSA 578. This form determines the corn grower’s or eligible landlord’s corn acreage minus any failed acres and silage acres. Multiply the acreage by the county average yield for the marketing year reported by NASS, deducting the percentage of bushels fed on the farm reported by the corn grower or eligible landlord, multiplying by the marketing year weighted average to get the recovery amount for that marketing year.

The weighted averages for each market year are: 2013/14 - 26%; 2014/15 - 33%; 2015/16 - 20%; 2016/17 - 11%; 2017/18 - 10%

The weighted averages represent damage impact determined by the plaintiffs’ economic experts during the Kansas trial. For example, if a corn grower or eligible landlord seeking recovery had reported 100 acres on her FSA Form 578 with a county yield of 150 bushels per acre and no silage or fed on-farm corn reported in marketing year 2014/15, then the corn grower or eligible landlord is entitled to a 2014/15 compensable recovery quantity of 4,950 bushels for the 2014/15 marketing year. At this time, a dollar value on that compensable recovery quantity is unknown. The recovery method for the other two classes (grain handlers and ethanol producers) will follow a different format. This overview will not cover those recovery methods.

Corn growers or eligible landlords had until August 10, 2018, to file an objection as to why the court should not grant final approval to the settlement, or to opt-out of the settlement. Many growers may have already opted out of the class action but may need to opt-out again based on the language of the proposed settlement agreement. Corn growers or eligible landlords who do nothing will receive no settlement payment and conclude any legal claim once the court grants final approval to the settlement.

The court has set a final approval hearing on the settlement for November 15, 2018, at 1 pm in Kansas City. According to the order granting preliminary approval, payment of settlement claims should happen no later than April 1, 2019.

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2018

USDA Trade Aid Erika Crowl, Agriculture Agent Associate

University of Maryland Extension, Baltimore County

On August 27, 2018, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue announced details of the action USDA will take to assist farmers in response to the trade damage from unjustified retaliation by foreign nations. Last month, USDA announced they will be authorizing up to $12 billion in programs to help our farmers. Secretary Perdue stated, “President Trump has been standing up to China and other nations, sending the clear message that the United States will no longer tolerate their unfair trade practices, which include non-tariff trade barriers and the theft of intellectual property. In short, the President has taken action to benefit all sectors of the American economy – including agriculture – in the long run.”

The initial payments from the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) are as follows:

For each commodity covered, the payment rate will be dependent upon the severity of the trade

disruption and the period of adjustment to new trade patterns, based on each producer’s actual production.

On September 4, 2018, the first MFP payment period will begin. The initial payment rates will be based on 50% of production. A second payment rate may be announced later for the remaining 50%, if warranted.

Payments will be capped per person or legal entity at a combined $125,000 for corn, dairy, hogs, sorghum, soybeans and wheat. Payment for dairy production is based off the historical production reported for the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). Dairy operations are also required to have been in operation on June 1, 2018 to be eligible for payments. Payment for hog operations will be based off the total number of head of live hogs owned on August 1, 2018.

Interested producers may apply after harvest is 100 percent complete and then they can report their total 2018 production. Beginning September 4th of this year, Market FP applications will be available online at www.farmers.gov/mfp or you may contact your county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.

Eligible applicants must have an ownership interest in the commodity, be actively engaged in farming, and have an average adjusted gross income (AGI) for tax years 2014, 2015, and 2016 of less than $900,000.

For more information on the MFP, call your local Extension Agent or visit www.farmers.gov.

Commodity Initial Payment Rate

Cotton $0.06 / lb.

Corn $0.01 / bu.

Dairy (milk) $0.12 / cwt.

Pork (hogs) $8.00 / head

Soybeans $1.65 / bu.

Sorghum $0.86 / bu.

Wheat $0.14 / bu.

The Maryland Crop Insurance Workshop from 9:30-3:30 PM in Bowie, MD provides an opportunity to hear from experts on current issues related to the federal crop insurance program and federal farm policy. Expert speakers will discuss insights into current issues impacting risk management issues in the Mid-Atlantic. Agenda is available here. This event is free to attend, but please register online or by calling (301) 405-3541.

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University of Maryland Extension has set up an online guide to help you follow and understand changes to the 2018 Farm Bill. The website can be accessed at: http://www.arec.umd.edu/extension/2018-farm-bill-guides.

The House and Senate have passed their respective Farm Bills and the members of the conference committees have been chosen. As we await the first conference committee meetings in early September, we will be posting guides to help readers understand proposed changes to the Farm Bill, differences between the House and Senate versions and how these changes or differences can practically impact you and/or the population you serve.

Check back to this page regularly as we update this site throughout the month and also for news developments from the conference committee.

2018 Farm Bill Online Guide

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2018

Chlorpyrifos Ban Peter Coffey, Agriculture Agent Associate

University of Maryland Extension, Carroll County

In Early August, a federal appeals court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos, the active ingredient in several insecticides, including Lorsban and Dursban. Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate (OP), which was first introduced to the market in 1965 by Dow Chemical, and was one of the most widely used OPs in the country until 2001, when the EPA phased out homeowner use because of health concerns. It is still one of the most widely used OPs in agricultural use, so its ban will affect farmers nationwide.

Over a decade ago, the EPA’s position was that on farm use of chlorpyrifos posed little risk to consumers. Organophosphates act by preventing nerves from firing, shutting down the nervous systems of insects. The amount found in food is not considered high enough to affect human nervous systems in that way. However, about 10 years ago scientific studies examining the effects of low levels of exposure to children and fetuses found that there may be effects to the growth of the brain.

One of these studies, by researchers at Columbia University, examined the levels of chloropyrifos in the blood of infants. They found that by the time the infants were 7 years old, children that had been exposed to higher levels of chlorpyrifos scored lower on IQ tests. Other studies showed that genetics can affect how sensitive some people are to chlorpyrifos. After evaluating these studies and their results, the EPA

came to the consensus that there was no practical safe level of residues, and as the former assistant administrator Jim Jones puts it: “it became, in my view, a very straightforward decision, with not a lot of ambiguity in terms of what [the EPA] would do.“

The EPA proposed a complete ban in 2015, which was opposed by Dow Agrosciences who claimed there was still too much controversy in the research to move forward with a ban. The EPA was required to make a final decision by March 31 of 2017, and in a surprise decision the administrator at the time, Scott Pruitt, announced that there would be no ban. Pruitt was appointed by President Trump, and has recently resigned amid allegations of wild spending of federal money and ethical abuse.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit heard the case against the EPA. The EPA has a duty to ensure that there is a “reasonable certainty that no harm will result” from the use of a pesticide. Federal Appeals courts consist of 3 judges and the ruling was 2-1. Judge Jed Rakoff, said that “the EPA presents no arguments in defense of its decision. Accordingly, the EPA has forfeited any merits-based argument.” The Agency, now headed by acting administrator Andrew Wheeler, has 60 days to enact the ban, but is still reviewing how they will move forward. DowDupont has stated they “will continue to support the growers who need this important product,” and that they will pursue other legal means to overturn the decision.

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VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 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 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2018

Currently, 0% of the State is under any type of drought. Temperatures have been warm, and the one-month outlook predicts a 40-50% probability of warmer than normal temperatures through September. There is a 33-40% chance that we will receive above-average rainfall in the month of September.

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Facebook.com/UMDExtension

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 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

We've finally gotten some break in the rain to continue second cutting hay and third and fourth cutting alfalfa. It has been exceptionally hot which means silage harvest has kicked into high gear as corn has started to dry rapidly. Grain yield estimates are coming in and have not been as bad as we thought they would be a few months ago with our devastating rains. Grain harvest has not started yet, but within a week or two people will start shelling some high moisture corn. Most soybeans have set pods at this point and our early beans are well on their way to filling pods. Stands are highly variable across the county. -Matt Morris

Northern Maryland

The recent hot spell we’ve had over the past couple of weeks really accelerated the dry-down of corn. Corn for silage has begun to be chopped, even after such late planting dates. Earliest planted corn for grain is not far behind. Later planted corn is looking good and approaching dent. Both corn and soybean crop conditions are variable; you can find excellent fields and you can find poor fields, all due to emergence and delayed planting issues created by the wet spring. Foliar disease on corn is quite prevalent in the region; soybean disease pressure is less than one would expect after such a wet spring. As we begin to finish pod fill, we will see if any stem disease issues rear their ugly heads. Our full season soybeans look better than double-crop beans, which were hit hard by droughty conditions at planting, then flooding conditions thereafter. Many areas of Harford and Baltimore counties received 4-8” of rain last Friday in just a couple of hours time, causing severe flash-flooding in low-lying areas. There have been multiple reports of flooded fields and

damaged pastures and fencing. Prior to the monsoon rains, weather was perfect for making hay. -Andy Kness

Upper & Mid Eastern Shore

The silt loam soils and the northern areas of the mid/upper shore are still in good shape with soil moisture. The sandy soils have had crop stress for a couple weeks. Corn harvest has started with the earliest planted corn. Yields are average as most of this corn was in the milk and dough stage during the early summer drought. Later and replant corn looks much better. Some of the late planted and replant corn is just now in the milk and dough stage, so harvest may not finish until the blessing before turkey dinner! The weed of the year in corn seems to be morning glories. The pre applications of atrazine just didn’t seem to survive this years rainy spells. Most of the post applications were made after the 1st high tide (rainy spell in May) and provided better control. Harvest aide applications may be necessary this year to get them through the combine.

Group 3 soybeans are in the R6/R7 stage and look above average. Group 4’s are getting tall and some have lodged. While bean yields are very hard to predict, those taller plants don’t seem to have as many pods. I am worried that the recent 3-4 weeks of rainy/cloudy weather reduced bloom/pod set - time will tell. Insect levels are low or minimal in most fields but SDS is showing up in many fields. Now is a good time to identify individual Palmer Amaranth plants in bean fields. If you can’t walk thru the tall tangled beans, get a good pair of binoculars and spend some time looking across the field. The Palmer plants are sticking up above the beans with their “medusa hair” looking seed heads easily identifiable over the beans. The most important part of this is when you seed that single plant out

in the beans - go pull it up before it drops a half million seeds or worse, they come out the back of the combine over the next 200 acres!

Most hay fields have been harvested in the past couple weeks of dry weather with excellent summer time yields. The rainy weather the end of July/early August was ideal for crab grass though. -Jim Lewis

Lower Eastern Shore

Corn has begun to dry and will be ready for harvest in the next couple of weeks. Full season soybeans looks good and double crop beans are catching up. There have been a few rainfall events that crops have enjoyed but daily temperatures are still at high. Small grain planting season is right around the corner and it’s time to prepare for seeding the early cover crops. –Manish Poudel

Southern Maryland

Southern Maryland is experiencing some moisture stress following a relatively wet summer. Many farmers began corn harvest last week with corn moisture levels surprisingly low. Harvest started full swing this week. As expected, yields have been variable across fields and farms. Overall yields are a bit lower relative to the average. Full season soybeans are starting to wilt in many fields. Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) is now evident, with patches showing up mainly in full season beans. SDS symptoms could be observed last week and are noticeably worse this week. With the drier weather, palmer amaranth and common ragweed are readily evident. Palmer in particular thrives in the hot weather and can grow out of the soybean canopy quickly. The drier weather has provided some good hay cutting opportunities. Tobacco harvest is progressing well. –Ben Beale

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 2018

Crop Reports

16

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 AGRONOMY NEWS: SEPTEMBER 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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