Agronomy News-August 2022

2022 Small Grain Variety Trials

Vijay Tiwari, Assistant Professor, and Nidhi Rawat, Small Grains Pathologist, University of Maryland, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture

Results of the 2022 Maryland Wheat and Barley Variety Trials are now available. The trials evaluate wheat and barley yield, head scab/DON, and growth of select varieties planted...Read more about the 2022 Small Grain Variety Trials

Thoughts on the Control of Palmer Amaranth in Organic Systems

Ben Beale, Principal Agriculture Agent and, Kurt Vollmer, Extension Weed Management Specialist, University of Maryland Extension

Biology of Palmer Amaranth

Factors enabling palmer amaranth to achieve a competitive advantage and become a major weed:

• Ability to produce a lot of seed- >200,000 per female plant.
• Seed will germinate throughout...Read more about Thoughts on the Control of Palmer Amaranth in Organic Systems

Possible Changes to Atrazine Use

Kurt Vollmer, Extension Weed Management Specialist, University of Maryland Extension

The EPA is proposing several changes to its interim registration review decision for atrazine. The primary issue is the aquatic ecosystem level of concern (CE-LOC). The EPA had previously set this level at 15 ppb, but this was challenged in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Currently the EPA is proposing a much lower CE-LOC level of 3.4 ppb. This proposed level will have significant impacts on growers’ ability to use atrazine and other triazine products. Labels will also likely include new language to help mitigate the risk to aquatic plant communities. These include:

• restricting atrazine applications when soils are saturated,
• restricting atrazine applications during rain or storm events,
• prohibiting aerial applications,
• and reducing the annual atrazine application rate from 2.5 lbs. to 2 lbs. per acre annually.

Additional information can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/atrazine. The EPA is currently seeking public comments about the proposed decision (https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets).

In addition the USDA Office of Pest Management Policy is conducting a related survey on atrazine usage practices for farmers involved in corn and sorghum production over the last three years (https://usdaopmp.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_agW8JjsVXqR4jjg)

Japanese Stiltgrass Identification and Management

Kelly Nichols, Agriculture Agent, University of Maryland Extension, Montgomery County

Now is the time to scout pasture and hay fields for Japanese stiltgrass and take note of its locations. This invasive grass is typically seen in wooded areas, but unfortunately has been creeping into fields. Once the seed heads start to form in another...Read more about Japanese Stiltgrass Identification and Management

WMREC
Sprayer and Pesticide Application Twilight Meeting

Thursday, September 1, 2022
5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Western Maryland Research Education Center
18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756

COST: Free (registration is appreciated to help with the headcount for the refreshments)

REGISTRATION: twilightmeeting.eventbrite.com

The focus of this meeting is on sprayer and pesticide application. Topics will include:

• Mock Inspection: Passing MDA inspections 
  Kelly Love, Maryland Department of Agriculture
• Precision application technologies
  Dr. Long He, Pennsylvania State University
• Demonstrations:
  • Sprayer calibration demonstrations (boom and 2 types of backpack)
    Doug Price, Brian Spielman, Alan Leslie, and Kelly Hamby, University of Maryland
  • Discuss nozzle wear and selection
    Alan Leslie
• Demonstration: Optimizing airblast air, deflectors, and nozzle angle for good coverage
  Doug Price, Brian Spielman, and Kelly Hamby, University of Maryland

Maryland pesticide recertification credits will be available for attending this meeting.

For more information, please contact Dr. Kelly Hamby at kahamby@umd.edu or (301) 314-1068

Soil Sampling for Nematodes in Soybeans

Alyssa Koehler, Extension Field Crop Pathologist, University of Delaware

Soybean Cyst Nematode consistently ranks as the most yield limiting pathogen of soybeans across the US, with root knot nematodes not far behind in the southern to mid-Atlantic regions of the US. Soybean cyst, root-knot, and other nematodes are...Read more on Soil Sampling for Nematodes in Soybeans

Webinar: Solar On The Farm

Are you interested in using solar to power your farm or business? Maybe you’re interested in leasing your land for solar development? Or perhaps, you’d like to learn more about how solar works and what opportunities are available with solar energy. Whatever the case may be, you’ll want to join the upcoming “Solar on the Farm” Webinar on August 16 (1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.). University of Maryland (UMD) Extension Specialists and industry representatives will discuss opportunities for farms and businesses with an interest in solar electricity. Attendees will learn about the opportunities, challenges, and practical applications of solar energy in Maryland. The webinar will cover important topics to help you decide if solar is right for you, and how you can install a solar electric system that will meet your needs. Topics will include:

• How solar energy works and what role it plays
• How a solar project impacts you as a landowner
• How to finance and facilitate a solar project

In light of Maryland’s high energy costs, as well as the decreasing cost of solar technology, many are choosing to offset their energy use with small-scale solar electric systems. Others have an interest in the various environmental benefits associated with solar electricity. Various federal and state policies, including tax credits and solar renewable energy credits (SRECs), have further contributed to solar market growth. The leasing of land to support large-scale solar installations has also come under the spotlight recently, with over 200 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale capacity installed in Maryland since 2017. Regardless of the motivations, Maryland has become one of the fastest-growing solar energy producers in the country, ranking 17th in the nation for solar power production in 2020.

This webinar is free to attend, but registration is required. More information and registration details can be found online at go.umd.edu/Solar2022. For more information, or if you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Drew Schiavone (dschiavo@umd.edu, 301-432-2767).

Pasture and Grazing Workshops

Maryland Grazing School
Date: September 29-30, 2022
Location: Rocklands Farm, Poolesville, MD
go.umd.edu/grazingschool

Advanced Grazing Workshop
Date: October 20-21, 2022
Location: UMD WMREC, Keedysville, MD
go.umd.edu/rfpworkshop

Pasture Walk at Sines Family Farm
Date: August 25, 2022 | Thursday
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  | Cost: Free (registration is required)
Location: Sines Family Farm, 2336 Friendsville-Addison Rd, Friendsville, MD 21531
Description: Join the University of Maryland Extension, NRCS, and the Sines family for an educational field day at Sines Family Farm in Friendsville, MD. The Sines raise registered Angus cattle and will discuss grazing management and strategies they use to get the most out of their pasture.

Register for the Pasture Walk at Sines Family Farm

Pasture Walk at Kefauver Farms 
Date: September 22, 2022 | Thursday
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  | Cost: Free (registration is required)
Location: Kefauver Farms, 11845 Rocky Meadow Road, Clear Spring, MD 21722
Description: Join the University of Maryland Extension, NRCS, and the Kefauver family for an educational field day focused on multi-species grazing at Kefauver Farms in Clear Spring, MD. The Kefauver's raise sheep and cattle and will discuss some of the benefits of multi-species grazing and the strategies they are using to manage these animals successfully while maximizing forage utilization and working to extend the grazing season.

Register for Pasture Walk at Kefauver Farms

Pasture Walk at Fiddlers Folly Farm
Date: October 12, 2022 | Wednesday
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Cost: Free (registration is required)
Location: Fiddlers Folly Farm, 195 Fiddlers Hill Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037
Description: Join the University of Maryland Extension, NRCS, and Amy Posey for an educational field day focused on equine pasture renovation at Fiddlers Folly Farm, MD. Come learn how Fiddlers Folly Farm is working to improve their pastures through a combination of good grazing management and pasture renovation.

Register for Pasture Walk at Fiddlers Folly Farm

Pasture Walk at UMD Beef Demonstration Site
Date: November 17, 2022 | Thursday
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Cost: Free (registration is required)
Location: University of Maryland Beef Demonstration Site, 12005 Homewood Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21042 (Note: Currently the site does not have a street address. The address listed (12005 Homewood Rd, Ellicott City, MD) is for the Home and Garden Information Center. From there, continue straight down Homewood Rd. approximately 0.5 miles to the first driveway on your right. Look for signs to guide you in the right direction.)
Description: Join the University of Maryland Extension and NRCS at the new Beef Teaching and Demonstration Site and learn how to be successful in utilizing corn stalks and cover crops as a forage source for livestock during the winter months.

Register for Pasture Walk at UMD Beef Demonstration Site