FALL 2018

Farm News Calendar of Events

October 29, 2018 Pesticide Recertification Training

October 29, 2018 Foodshed Field School

November 13, 2018 Pesticide Certification Exam

November 14, 2018 Pesticide Recertification Training

November 27, 2018 Southern MD Crops Conference

December 11, 2018 Pesticide Recertification Training

December 14, 2018 LPA Annual Meeting

January 16, 2019 Southern MD Hay & Pasture Conference

February 7, 2019 Southern MD Fruit & Vegetable Meeting

Inside this issue:

Plan Ahead! Update Your NMP

4

Domino Sugar Lime Byproduct Bulk Availa-bility Program

5

UME Releases Farm Management Resources

6

Write Your Own Nutrient Management Plan

6

Bloom Soil Amendment Trial

7

Chlorpyrifos Ban 7

Pest Alert– Spotted Lanternfly

8

Fall Nutrient Application Rules

9

Variegated Oakleaf Caterpillar

9

Update on Palmer Ama-ranth, Common Waterhemp, and Common Ragweed

10

I’ve said it once and now I’ll say it again—I need a taller pair of boots. According to the National Weather Service, for the period between January 1 and October 15th, we have received a total of 60.63 inches in Mechanicsville. That is compared to an average precipitation of 36.34 inches for that same period and far exceeds the record for most rainfall received of 54.22 inches in 1934.

With that amount of rain, it goes without saying that this year is anything but normal. Throw in the three weeks of hot and dry condition during corn pollination to the mix and it’s no surprise that yields are only average at best.

Vegetables have been challenged with wet feet all season. For vine crops like pumpkins and water-melons, fruit rot has been prevalent. Phytophthora root and fruit rot has been particularly bad in poorly drained fields or fields where standing water was present following heavy rains. Downy mildew is another disease that likes the rainy weather. Wet feet wasn’t the only problem. The lack of sunshine created some ripening issues with crops like tomatoes. Root crops suffered as well from waterlogged and tight soils. Unfortunately there isn’t much that can be done immediately this season to curtail problems resulting from rainfall amounts almost double the average. However, long-term strategies that do help in years like this include longer rotations to reduce disease inocu-lum levels, improving soil health and structure to improve drainage, installing drainage ditches and/or tiles, and using raised beds.

The corn crop this year was better than I expected. There were plenty of fields that either were not planted or not harvested due to saturated fields, but overall corn yields ranged just below average. We even had some fields that received an extra rain during the dry spell in July and are putting out well over 200 bushels. Soybeans may offer a bright spot to this unusual year. Soybean harvest is just beginning with some really good looking soybean fields. We have heard some isolated reports of both corn sprouting in the ear and soybeans that are sprouting or molding in the pod. Harvest-ing as soon as possible will minimize those losses.

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 on plant through the combine will make your weed control efforts much more challenging next year.

We hope to see everyone at the winter meetings this year. Some of the traditional meetings include the Crops Conference to be held November 27, the Hay and Pasture Conference on January 16th and the Fruit and Vegetable Con-ference on February 7th. Hope you have a safe, productive and bountiful fall.

—Ben Beale

Pesticide Recerti-

FALL 2018 Page 2

On October 29, 2018 a Pesticide Recertification Training class will be held at the Charlotte Hall Library in Charlotte Hall, MD. The Recertification class will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Please call to register at 301-475-4484.

October 29, 2018

Charlotte Hall Library, Charlotte Hall, MD

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Optional Review Session for Pesticide Exam

November 6, 2018 - Review Session

November 13, 2018 - Exam

Ag Service Center, Leonardtown MD

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Anyone who is interested in acquiring their private pesticide applicator’s license should plan to attend our next scheduled workshop to be held on November 6th. The optional workshop will help prepare you to take the exam on November 13th. Please call the office at 301-475-4484 to register and obtain the necessary study materials. The training class will be held at the St. Mary’s Agriculture Services Center in Leonardtown, MD from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The actual exam will be held at the same time; same place.

Southern Maryland Crops Conference

The Southern Maryland Agents would like to invite everyone to join with our University specialists to have your questions answered about crop production and pest control at the Southern MD Crops Conference. Attendance at this conference will satisfy the requirement for the Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification & Nutrient Management Voucher. For more Information or to register, see the registration form that is enclosed in this mailing. Please call the Charles County Extension Office at 301-934-5403 for other info or if you are in need of special assistance.

November 27, 2018 Baden Volunteer Fire Department, Brandywine, MD

4:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Pesticide Recertification and Nutrient Voucher Training

On November 14 a Pesticide Recertification and Nutrient Voucher Training class will be held at the UME Charles County office. Please call to register at 301-934-5403.

November 14, 2018

UME Charles County, Bel Alton, MD

Nutrient Voucher: 4:00 PM—6:00 PM

Pesticide Recert: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Calendar of Events Cont.

Page 3 FALL 2018

Southern Maryland Hay & Pasture Conference

January 16, 2019 Baden Volunteer Fire Department, Brandywine, MD

8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Make plans to attend the Southern Maryland Hay & Forage Conference on January 16h, at the Baden Volunteer Fire Department Brandywine, MD. Topics will be presented covering all aspects of hay and pasture production. The programs will address key issues and concerns facing hay and pasture producers. The conferences also fea-tures displays and exhibits by numerous agribusinesses. Attendees will be able to obtain information on seed, fer-tilizer, equipment, fencing, etc. needed for hay and pasture production and management. Pesticide recertification and nutrient voucher credits available. Register by calling the St. Mary’s County Extension office at 301-475-4484.

Loveville Produce Auction Annual Meeting

The Loveville Produce Auction invites all interested farmers and buyers to attend the annual meeting on December 14, 2018 star ting at 9:00 AM. The m eeting w ill be held at 25120 Dove Point Road. Take Rt. 247 (Loveville Road) to Parsons Mill Rd. Dove Point Lane is ½ mile on left. More information will be forthcom-

December 14, 2018 Loveville, MD

9:00 AM

Southern Maryland Fruit and Vegetable Meeting

February 7, 2019 St. Mary’s County– Exact location TBD

8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Make plans to attend the Southern Maryland Vegetable and Fruit Production Meeting on February 7, 2019. This meeting will provide Private Applicator Recertification & Nutrient Applicator Voucher Recertification. Speakers will provide IPM updates and present on a broad range of production topics. Also meeting sponsors will show-case their products and services, and state vegetable organization leaders will be present to recruit and answer your questions. Please attend and make this meeting the best ever. To register, contact the St. Mary’s Extension office at 301-475-4484.

Pesticide Recertification Training Class

On December 11, 2018 a Pesticide Recertification Training class will be held at the UME Calvert County office in Prince Freder-ick MD. The Recertification class will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Please call to register at 410-535-3662.

December 11, 2018

UME Calvert County, Prince Frederick MD

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Page 4 FALL 2018

Plan ahead! Update your Nutrient Management Plan now -- before the spring rush! 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 P 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

Farming is a tough business, but these farmers have some tricks up their sleeves! Join Meghan Ochal & Erik de Guzman of Dicot Farm to learn their tricks for harvesting, washing, and storing greens efficiently (including a demo of a Quick Cut Greens Harvester, Coolbot-cooled walk-in, and retrofitted washing machine). Then, watch a presentation on a ‘cheat guide’ for pest management from Caroline Selle of Future Harvest CASA. Learn how to ID insects quickly and choose the most effective management methods from the organic farmer’s toolbox. Questions? Contact Caroline Selle: caroline@futureharvestcasa.org.

Dicot Farm, 13355 Poplar Hill Rd, Waldorf, MD 20601 $20 FHCASA members / $40 non-members

Register: http://bit.ly/farmhacks1029

FUTURE HARVEST CASA’S

Foodshed Field School

Farm Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Efficiency Monday, October 29, 2018

2:30-5:00 pm

Page 5 FALL 2018

The Baltimore Domino Sugar plant produces significant quantities of calcium carbonate mud byproduct at the Baltimore Refin-ery. 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.

Domino Sugar Lime Byproduct Bulk Availability Program

Page 6 FALL 2018

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 in-terdisciplinary 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 par-cel 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.

Farmer Training & Certification “Write Your Own Nutrient Management Plan”

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. You will receive a comprehensive training binder that will be used during the class, serve as a reference during the exam, and as a valuable resource when you write future plans for your operation. Producers who pass the exam will be certified by MDA to write their own nutrient management plans. This class will also fulfill the nutrient applicator voucher training requirements. #1 University of Maryland Wye Research and Education - January 22 (snow date January 25) and February 5 (exam and plan writing) (snow date February 8) 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM each day ($35 certification fee, includes lunch on first day) #2 University of Maryland Extension Frederick County office January 28 (snow date February 1) and Febru-ary 11 (exam and plan writing) (snow date Feb. 15) 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM each day ($35 certification fee, includes lunch on first day) #3 University of Maryland Extension Howard County Office February 6, 13, 20 and 27 (exam) and March 6 (plan writing) (snow date March 13) 6 – 9 PM each evening ($20 certification fee)

For more information, visit MDA’s website: https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Pages/nutrient_management_training_program.aspx

Page 7 FALL 2018

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 organophos-phate (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. Organophos-phates 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 deci-sion, 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.

Chlorpyrifos Ban Peter Coffey, Agriculture Agent Associate University of Maryland Extension, Carroll County

Bloom Soil Amendment Trial You may have heard about the availability of a new biosolid material called Bloom. Bloom is a class A biosolid sourced from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) Blue Plains facility. The material is created using a new process that combine thermal hydrolyses, anaerobic digesters, and other processes to produce the Class A “Exceptional Quality” biosolid product. The material is about 70% water and can be spread using a standard manure spreader or poultry litter spreader. Since the material is a Class A product, you do not need a permit to apply it. One ton of bloom will pro-vide approximately 9 lbs. of plant available nitrogen (PAN) and 40 lbs of Phos-phorous. It will not affect pH nor will it provide much potassium. The product has been priced as of September of 2018 at $4 per ton delivered to the farm. For fields that are low or medium in P, this could be a very good deal. Researchers at UMD are studying this new material for use in potting soil, as a soil amendment in the nursery and landscape industry and also for agricultural field crop uses. We are conducting an on-farm trial in collaboration with WSSC and Charles County farmer Steve Walters to determine the performance of Bloom in corn. We are looking at the effect of Bloom applied at different rates on corn yield, nitrogen contribution, and soil fertility levels. The results of this trial will be available this winter.

Page 8 FALL 2018

Spotted lanternfly is a non-native invasive insect from Asia that has recently arrived in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Spotted lanternfly (SLF) has now been found in several states throughout the re-gion, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Virginia. As this insect has limited mobility, its spread is occurring primarily by human assisted travel. The arrival of this new pest could have a significant im-pact on Maryland and U.S. agriculture.

Lifecycle Adult SLF are large (approx. one inch long), strikingly colored insects, (Fig. 1 – Adult SLF). The tan eggs, covered with a grey waxy coating, are laid on any vertical surface from late September until frost (Fig. 2 – Eggs; Fig. 3 –Eggs on barrel; Fig 3a - Older egg masses). Eggs hatch from late April to early May, into tiny white-spotted angular black nymphs (Fig. 4 – Young nymphs) and begin feeding by sucking the juice from host plants. As they grow older, nymphs molt and become bright red and black with white spots (Fig. 5 – Full-grown nymphs). Adults first appear around mid-July to feed, mate, and lay eggs (Fig. 6 – Cluster of adults).

Feeding Behavior Nymphs have been found feeding on an ever-expanding list of plants, in-cluding apples, apri-cots, blueberries, cherries, grapes, hops, nectarines, peaches, oak, pine and poplar, among many others. Adults prefer—and may need—to feed on tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), another non-native invasive species.

Potential Damage Damage from SLF feeding with its piercing-sucking mouth parts can cause stunted growth, reduced yields, and death of the host plant. As the insects feed, they excrete a sugary honeydew that collects and can attract other insects, as well as supporting growth of black sooty mold fungus that blocks sunlight from the leaves.

PEST ALERT

Monitoring for Spotted Lanternfly in Maryland Although SLF has not been detected in Maryland, early detection will aid in quarantine and management efforts. Be dili-gent in scouting for this pest, especially along tree lines. Eggs have been found on vehicles and other objects, so it is very easy for this pest to be moved to another area (a “hitchhiker”). If you believe you have identified a SLF in Maryland:

1. Contact your local University of Maryland Extension Office or the Maryland Department of Agriculture with the location and host ASAP. (MDA (410) 841-5920; DontBug.MD@maryland.gov)

2. For confirmation, carefully collect a specimen of all life stages found in a clear rigid container. Freeze to kill or place in an alcohol or vinegar solution (hand sanitizer or white vinegar works well) and submit specimens to your local extension office or MDA.

3. If you cannot collect a specimen, submit a high-quality photograph to your local extension office.

How to Help You can help prevent the spread of SLF in several ways. Learn the insect’s unique appearance and inspect plants in your area for adults, nymphs or eggs. You can place “sticky-bands” around tree-of-heaven trunks to trap nymphs dur-ing their daily up and down migration. If you see a suspect insect, trap or photograph it and contact Maryland Department of Agriculture at 410-841-5920, or DontBug.MD@maryland.gov. Collected dead specimens of any stage can be mailed or delivered to: Maryland Department of Agriculture Plant Protection & Weed Management 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401

Fig. 1 - Adult Spotted Lanternfly

Fig. 2 - Eggs

Fig. 3 - Eggs on a barrel Fig. 4 - Young Nymph Fig. 5 - Full-grown Nymph

Fig. 3a - Older Egg Masses

Fig. 6 - Cluster of Adults

Spotted Lanternfly

Page 9 FALL 2018

Fall Nutrient Application Rules Maryland Department of Agriculture

Now that summer is in full swing, it’s not too soon to look ahead to Maryland’s fall nutrient application dates which run from September 10 through December 15. Here are the rules:

Farmers are required to plant cover crops on fallow fields where organic nutrient sources have been ap-plied 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 plant-ed.

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 fertil-ity 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 nitro-gen 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 deter-mine 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.

REMEMBER…nutrient applications are prohibited during the fall application period when the soil is satu-rated, when the ground is covered with snow greater than one inch, or when the ground is hardfrozen greater than two inches. For more information, contact MDA’s Nutrient Management Program at 410-841-5959.

Variegated Oakleaf Caterpillar Ben Beale, Ag Extension Educator

We received several calls in late July, August and September about defoliation of trees in the Leonardtown and Medleys Neck area. Affected trees had damage that ranged from small shot holes on a few leaves to complete defo-liation. After some investigation the culprit was easily found on affected trees. Frass (caterpillar poop) could be heard dropping form the trees like rain. Roads under tree tops were slick with frass and caterpillars. Stanton Gill, UMD Extension Specialist identified the caterpillar as the Variable Oakleaf caterpillar. Stanton noted it is a native caterpillar and we do have outbreaks of this pest every couple of years. There was an outbreak in St. Mary’s county eight years ago, with extensive damage in the Medleys neck area. Variable oakleaf caterpillar feeds on all species of oaks, but white oak (Quercus alba) is preferred. Other hosts include Ameri-can beech (Fagus grandifolia), American basswood (Tilia americana), paper birch (Betula papyrifera), American elm (Ulmus americana), walnut (Juglans), boxelder (Acer negundo), persimmon (Diospyros sp.), and apple (Malus). While feeding damage can be extensive, control is rarely needed. Trees should refoliate and recuperate fully with little long-term damage. Populations typically crash after 1 or 2 years due to natural enemies such as parasites and predators. There is only one generation per year. Moths emerge from cocoons in the soil and leaf litter in the spring. Female moths lay eggs on leaves in May. Eggs hatch and caterpillars feed through the summer before dropping to the soil to form cocoons where they overwinter.

On the Lighter Side…

http://extension.umd.edu/charles-county

All the best for a wonderful

Fall Season!

Benjamin E. Beale, Extension Educator UME – St. Mary’s County Agriculture & Natural Resources Francis Warring Nutrient Management Advisor UME - Charles County Elizabeth Solis-McGarry Administrative Asst. II UME – Charles County

“The University of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Equal Access Programs” “La Universidad de Maryland es una institución con Igualdad de Oportunidades de Empleoy con Igualdad de Acceso a Programas.”

UME Charles County 9501 Crain Highway, Box 1

Bel Alton, MD 20611 TEL: 301-934-5403

A duck, a skunk and a deer went out for dinner at a restaurant one night. When it came time to pay, the skunk didn’t have a scent, the deer didn’t have a buck so they put the meal on the duck’s bill.

Update on Palmer Amaranth, Common Waterhemp, and Common Ragweed Ben Beale, Ag Extension Educator We continue to find palmer amaranth popping up in new fields throughout Southern Maryland. As a reminder, Palmer Amaranth is a weed you do not want. It has a very aggressive growth habit, produces lots of seed and is resistant to many herbicides including glyphosate and ALS chemistry. If you don’t have palmer yet, get ready. You will get it sometime, somewhere. If you

don’t have it yet, learn to identify it, so when it does show up you can quickly find it and manage it. We have conducted two trials this summer funded by the Maryland Soybean Board that have evaluated several herbicide combinations for control. We had very good success when we started clean, used a good resid-ual at planting and followed up at 24 days with an effective post-emergent product. In treatments where we waited until 40 days after planting, we had very poor control. The most im-portant thing to remember this time of year is do not move equipment between infested and non-infested fields. Palmer amaranth seeds move readily in equipment, particularly the combine! Clean equipment between fields and harvest infested fields last. Just one plant can have enough seeds to cover an acre with 10 seeds per square foot. Unfortunately we are also finding pockets of common wa-

terhemp showing up on farms in both Charles in St. Mary’s counties. Common waterhemp is very similar to palmer amaranth. They are both pigweeds. Waterhemp is not quite as aggressive as palmer, but can have several types of herbicide resistance. Manage it the same way as you would palmer. Finally, common ragweed continues to be a problem for growers. I suspect there are many more acres affected by herbicide resistant common ragweed than palmer and waterhemp. In screen-ing trials, most of the Common Ragweed population in So MD are resistant to both glyphosate and ALS herbicides. The PPO’s are still working for the most part, but over reliance on these products will lead to resistance as well. The key for common ragweed is to be sure all ragweed plants are killed before planting. Ragweed can emerge early in the spring and plants can be very hard to kill with one application of a burndown product before planting. As with palmer, an effective residual at planting followed by a timely post product 3-4 weeks after planting when ragweed is only 3-4 inches tall is critical. None of our post products will work on ragweed that is 8-10 inches tall. We have had very good experience with the Liberty link system and the Xtend system for ragweed control. Reflex also works, but only if applied when ragweed id very small. The Maryland Soybean Board funded a trial this summer looking at residual herbicide products. We will be sharing those results this winter.