April 2020 – Maryland Agronomy News

Get Ready! Farmers and Ranchers Are Now Eligible For Economic Injury Disaster Loans

Nicole Cook, Legal Specialist
University of Maryland, Eastern Shore

This article is not a substitute for legal advice. Reposted from the Ag Risk Blog

On Friday, President Trump signed the new COVID-19 relief bill, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, 116 Pub Law 139 (April 24, 2020) (“Enhancement Act”). In addition to replenishing funds for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Enhancement Act directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make all agricultural producers with 500 or fewer employees who were operating as of January 31, 2020, who have suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, eligible for the Emergency Injury Loan Disaster (EIDL) programs. This includes being eligible for a forgivable $10,000 emergency advance “grant.” As of this posting, we are still waiting to find out when the SBA will start accepting loan applications again. But, you can start gathering the information that you’ll need to apply now!

What’s New?

The EIDL program is administered by the SBA, and as I explained in this article, despite Congress’ original intent in the CARES Act for all farmers and ranchers to be eligible for the EIDL program, the SBA was excluding certain farmers and ranchers from the program.

The EIDL program, as modified by the CARES Act and the Emergency Act, provides EIDL business loans to eligible entities, which now include all types of agricultural producers. This includes non-profit organizations, farmers markets, LLC’s, sole proprietorships, and other small business entities. And, farmers and ranchers, as eligible entities, can also get a forgivable emergency advance on their EIDL loan of up to $10,000, which, like a grant, they don’t have to pay back. The advances are known as “EIDL Emergency Advances” or “Emergency EIDL Grants.”

What Does “Substantial Economic Injury as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic” Mean?

When you apply for an EIDL COVID-19 loan, you will be certifying that your business suffered substantial economic injury due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What that means for you is going to depend on your business. For example, if before the pandemic you sold primarily to farmers markets or restaurants and now as a result of the stay-at-home orders and other measures put in place by government officials those markets are closed or significantly reduced, your are likely going to be able to show that your business suffered substantial economic injury due to the pandemic. Even if you’re shifting your markets to sell direct to consumers online, you are likely still eligible because there are necessarily delays in establishing that change in business model and you might still only be able to resume selling at a significant loss. Other examples are dairy farmers who have lost their markets or grain farmers who are experiencing historic low prices as a result of sharp declines in market demands.

EIDL Loans

You can apply for an EIDL loan for as little or as much as you need up to $2 million. That means that if you only need $10,000, you could request a loan of $10,000 and then apply to receive all of the money in advance as an Emergency EIDL Grant.

Remember that any loan amount above the $10,000 in EIDL Emergency Advances is not forgiven. Interest rates on the loan amount above the $10,000 in Emergency EIDL Grants are 3.75% for small businesses, and 2.75% for non-profit organizations.

The loan terms can be up to 30 years with the first payment not due for 12 months after the funds are issued.

No personal guarantee is required for loans of $200,000 or less. No collateral is needed for loans of less than $25,000, and there is no need to have applied for credit and been denied elsewhere in order to apply.

Emergency EIDL Grants

Eligible entities, which now include all agricultural enterprises, can request that the SBA give them an advance on the loan. The advance can be up to $10,000. (CARES Act § 1110(e)(3); Enhancement Act, § 101(c)). Once approved, the money is supposed to arrive within three days. (CARES Act § 1110(e)(1)-(3)). The Emergency EIDL Grants are completely forgivable. You do not ever have to pay them back.

What Can The Money Be Used For?

EIDL loans are considered working capital loans. They’re meant to help you carry on your business until you can resume normal operations. They can be used for things like (1) to pay fixed debts, (2) to pay sick leave for employees who are unable to work due to COVID-19; (3) to maintain payroll, (4) to pay accounts payable including increased costs of materials due to COVID-19’s supply chain disruptions, and (5) to pay rent or mortgages.

They are not meant to be used for expanding your business, and you can’t spend the money on refinancing debt that you incurred prior to the disaster declaration. You also can’t spend the money to make payments on loans made to other Federal agencies (e.g., FSA loans); pay tax penalties; pay penalties for noncompliance with laws; or pay dividends to shareholders.

You can, however, pay reasonable remuneration for services that are performed for the business. So, if you have a record of making payments to yourself for the work that you do for the business, that is allowed just like covering payroll or spending the money for accounts payable is an approved use of the funds. But, if you don’t have a record of making those payments before the disaster, you might be challenged on making those payments with the loan money.

Can I Participate In Other Federal Relief Programs If I Get An EIDL Loan?

The COVID-19 EIDL programs are meant to compliment the other Federal COVID-19 relief programs like the PPP and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program (PUA). (For more information about the PPP, read this post and watch this video. For more information about the PUA, read this article.) You will need to do some calculating to determine whether and which relief programs make the most sense for your business. For example, an EIDL loan might be easier for a new farmer who doesn’t have 2019 income tax returns but who was operating on January 31, 2020, and who does have a few months of sales information. You can participate in all of the programs, but, for example, the portion of the PPP loan amount that is forgiven will be reduced by the EIDL loan amount you receive. And, the government will know that you are participating in more than one program.

When And Where Do I Apply?

Once the site becomes available, you will need to apply for the EIDL program funds online through the SBA’s website. The SBA stopped accepting new EIDL applications when the original CARES Act funding ran out. We don’t know yet when the SBA will resume accepting applications now that the additional funding has been approved under the Enhancement Act, so you will need to check the SBA’s website. Also check this blog. We will post an update once the SBA re-opens the portal for submitting applications.

The deadline to apply for COVID-19 EIDL assistance is December 31, 2020.

What Information Will I Need To Apply?

This is a revenue-protection program. To apply, you will self-certify that you need to borrow the amount of money that you would have used to pay normal expenses during the time of the declared crisis. The SBA will consider your ability to repay the loan amount based on your sales history and existing obligations along with your credit history. You will need your sales history records, then.

Keep in mind that you might not be approved for the full amount you requested, and understand that it may actually take a few weeks to the get the EIDL Emergency Advance money and it might not all arrive at once. These are simply the realities of a large, cumbersome bureaucracy trying to quickly implement these measures.

Tips For Submitting Your Application

The SBA advises applicants to register as new users, and then download and/or print out the application forms so that you can prepare your application offline before going back online to complete and submit your packet. That’s because the site is overwhelmed and there is a good chance that the site will crash while you’re in the middle of completing your application.

Also, once you are entering the data online, be sure to finish and submit your completed application. Incomplete applications will be sent to the back of the line, so you’re application may not be received before the funds run out again.

Once you’ve submitted your application, be sure to check the status of your application online as well as checking your bank account. The SBA has said that it isn’t able to send timely notices out about deposits of funds, but you’ll see the money appear in your bank account shortly after your application has been approved.

More Information

To view slides from the Small Business Administration’s Baltimore District Office’s March 26, 2020, webinar on how to apply for EIDL Loans and Emergency Grants, click here. Remember, the information in the slides and the webinar does not include the Enhancement Act’s updates.

You can find more Maryland-specific information and resources about COVID-19 issues on the Maryland Agriculture Law Education Initiative’s website at umaglaw.org.

An excellent resource for information about all of the federal relief programs available for farmers, including the EIDL programs, is the Farmers’ Legal Action Group’s Farmers’ Guide to COVID-19 Relief (2nd Edition).

Fusarium Head Blight Risk: April 26, 2020

Dr. Nidhi Rawat, Small Grains Pathologist
University of Maryland, College Park

Wheat in the Eastern Shore of Maryland has started booting and should be heading out soon. Barley is already flowering there. Note that barley does not show any yellow anthers at flowering and is prone to FHB as soon as it heads out of the boots. Wheat is considered to be at flowering when at least 50% of the heads of a field are beginning to show yellow anthers. With the recent rains FHB risk has increased to moderate/high level in the lower eastern shore counties. Growers here should keep an eye on the FHB risk in the coming days, as wheat heads and flowers here in coming weeks. Fungicides Prosaro, Caramba and Miravis-Ace should be effective in minimizing damage due to FHB in wheat, when applied at flowering. Strobilurin containing fungicides should not be applied now, as they might increase the chances of DON content in the grains. So far, no major concern from other diseases like powdery mildew or rusts has been seen in wheat in the state. Some low intensity incidences of tan spot were observed, which the FHB fungicides applied at flowering should be able to tackle. Up in the northern part of the state wheat is at second node to flag leaf stage, predictably around 2-3 weeks away from flowering.

FHB map of Maryland showing low to moderate risk of head scab — **Figure 1**. Fusarium head blight risk to susceptible wheat varieties on April 26, 2020.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns (nidhirwt@umd.edu).

Don’t Fall Asleep on Head Scab

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

Wheat is progressing rapidly across the state due to our mild winter. In the coming weeks, wheat will begin flowering and entering the most critical management stage for Head Scab or Fusaruim Head Blight (FHB). Scout fields as heads emerge and determine when they start to flower (yellow anthers emerging from the middle of the spike). At this stage you will need to make the call to apply a fungicide or not.

**Figure 1.** Left: Feekes 10.3. Middle: Feekes 10.5.1 (yellow anthers beginning flowering). Right: 4 days after anthesis (white anthers post flowering). Image: A. Koehler, Univ. of Delaware.

Right now, FHB risk is very low across the region, mostly due to the cool nights we are experiencing (Figure 2). However, conditions can turn favorable for FHB very quickly, so don’t fall asleep on it! FHB can sporulate and infect flowering spikes at temperatures in the 50s as long as adequate moisture and humidity is present.

Scab risk map as of April 21, 2020 — **Figure 2.** Head scab risk to susceptible winter wheat varieties as of April 21, 2020.

If conditions turn wet, humid, and above 50 degrees at flowering, FHB risk will be high and you will have about a 5 day maximum window after Feekes 10.5.1 (start of flowering) to make a fungicide application to suppress DON vomitoxin. Optimal timing for a fungicide application is at Feekes 10.5.1 and up to 5 days after. University research has indicated that earlier applications at heading (Feekes 10.3-10.5) do not consistently reduce DON levels in the grain as compared to applications made at or shortly after flowering.

Even though it may seem a bit early and cool, continue to monitor the Scab Risk Tool (www.wheatscab.psu.edu/) to help you assess the risk of developing FHB in your wheat crop so that you’re not taken by surprise.

For fungicide recommendations and other application recommendations, click here.

MD Grain Marketing Site Updated for 2020: Field Crop Budgets and Custom Rates

Shannon Dill, Principal Agriculture Agent
University of Maryland Extension, Talbot County

The University of Maryland Extension has updated extension.umd.edu/grainmarketing site with new input data and spray programs for the 2020 field crop budgets.

Crop Budgets

Cost of production is very important when making decisions related to your farm enterprise and grain marketing. Enterprise budgets provide valuable information regarding individual enterprises on the farm. This tool enables farm managers to make decisions regarding enterprises and plan for the coming production year. An enterprise budget uses farm revenue, variable cost, fixed cost and net income to provide a clear picture of the financial health of each farm enterprise.

The 2020 Maryland enterprise budgets were developed using average yields and estimated input cost based upon producer and farm supplier data. The figures presented are averages and vary greatly from one farm and region to the other. It is therefore crucial to input actual farm data when completing enterprise budgets for your farm.

How to Use University Enterprise Budgets:

The enterprise budgets can be used as a baseline for your operation. Make changes to these budgets to include your production techniques, inputs and overall management. New spray programs were added for herbicide resistant weeds.

The budgets are available electronically in PDF or Excel online at www.extension.umd.edu/grainmarketing. Use this document as a start or reference to create your crop budgets. If you have problems downloading any of these budgets, contact information is located on the website.

Cost Per Acre 2020
	Corn – No Till	Corn – Conventional	Soybeans	Wheat	Wheat/Beans
2020	$537.74	$593.58	$346.51	$424.80	$630.50
Increase	-5%	-4%	-5%	-3%	-4%

Scout now for alfalfa weevil

Alan Leslie
Agriculture Extension Agent, Charles County

After a relatively mild winter, we are getting reports of high numbers of alfalfa weevils causing damage to alfalfa fields in Southern MD. Eggs that were laid by alfalfa weevil adults last fall are all hatching now, and early spring is when the larvae can cause the most damage to alfalfa stands, reducing the yield and quality of the first cutting and potentially setting the entire stand back for the rest of the year. Now is the time to be scouting for larvae and to consider chemical treatment to prevent economic yield loss. Alfalfa weevil larvae look very similar to caterpillars, with a dark head and a green body with a white stripe running down the middle. Early signs of injury from alfalfa weevil larvae appear as pinholes in leaves, but extensive feeding will skeletonize leaves, leaving plants with a distinct gray color. Sweep nets do not do a very good job of catching small larvae, so the best way to scout your fields is to cut stems and beat them on the inside of a bucket to knock the larvae loose. To effectively sample a field, you should collect at least 30 stems from across the field, and beat them vigorously inside the bucket. Make sure to keep track of the exact number of stems you sample, so you can calculate the average number of larvae per stem. Thresholds for control depend on the average height of the stand at the time you sample, with the threshold increasing in taller plants (Table 1).

Table 1.Threshold numbers of larvae per plant for different average stand heights that would warrant chemical control

Stand height (inches)	Larvae per plant
0-11	0.7
12	1.0
13-15	1.5
16	2.0*
17-18	2.5*

*At these stand heights, prompt or early harvest can also control the larval infestation

We have also gotten reports of less than adequate control of alfalfa weevil populations using synthetic pyrethroids (group 3A; beta-cyfluthrin, zeta-cypermethrin, permethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin). Because synthetic pyrethroids have historically been such a cheap and reliable chemical class, they have been widely used on many pests, and there are many examples of insect species becoming resistant to this class of insecticide. Currently we do not have good data on the extent to which local populations of alfalfa weevil are becoming resistant to pyrethroids, but it is always a good idea to rotate modes of action of insecticides sprayed over your fields to help prevent resistant populations from developing. Other chemical classes that give effective control of alfalfa weevil include carbamates (group 1A; methomyl, carbaryl) organophosphates (group 1B; phosmet, malathion, chlorpyrifos), and oxadiazines (group 22A; indoxacarb). If you have any remaining chlorpyrifos in your inventory, this may be a good opportunity to use it up, since the state of Maryland will likely introduce legislation to ban its use this year or in the near future. Remember to always read and follow the label whenever making any insecticide applications; the label is the law!

Unexpected Outbreak of Cowpea Aphid in Alfalfa

Darsy Smith, Graduate Student & Dr. William Lamp, Professor
University of Maryland, Department of Entomology

alfalfa field with aphid damage — **Figure 1.** Yellow appearance of the alfalfa field that lead to the discovery of the cowpea aphid outbreak at BARC. Photo courtesy of Russell Griffith.

An unexpected outbreak of cowpea aphid, Aphid craccivora Koch, in Maryland was discovered last month by Terry Patton, who was contacted by Russell Griffith, tractor operator leader at Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), because of the yellow appearance of an alfalfa field (Figure 1) and the infestation of dark aphids (Figure 4). Since the 1990s, infestations of the cowpea aphid have been observed in Maryland alfalfa, but this is an unusually large outbreak. Stay alert to this emerging pest and learn how to identify it since it has a wide range of hosts and may damage crops.

close-up of cowpea aphid — **Figure 2.** Adult cowpea aphid. Note the cornicle (yellow arrow) is dark and long and the abdomen (red arrow) is distinctive dark and shiny. Photo courtesy of influentialpoints.com

A group of cowpea aphids — **Figure 3.** Adult and nymph cowpea aphids. Nymph color is opaque and varies (yellow arrow) from brown to gray while the adult (red arrow) has the distinctive dark, shiny abdomen. Photo courtesy of Andrew Jensen, https://aphidtrek.org/

Cowpea aphid identification and injury. Cowpea aphid is not generally an economic pest in alfalfa but learning how to identify the aphid and its injury can help you prevent losses. Cowpea aphid is easily differentiated from other aphids in alfalfa because its dark coloration, with the abdomen of the adults much darker and shinier than the rest of its body (Figure 2). In addition, the cornicle (or siphuncule) is dark and long (Figure 2). The nymph is less shiny (opaque) and varies from brown to gray (Figure 3). The legs and antennae of both adults and nymphs are pale with dark tips (this characteristic is more distinctive in adults).

The cowpea aphid is a sap-sucking feeder and damage caused in alfalfa by this pest results from the injection of a toxin into the phloem of the plant. With high population densities on plants, the aphid can cause stunting or plant death. In addition, it can cause yellowing in alfalfa leaves (Figure 1). Like other aphids, this insect produces honeydew that will benefit fungus growth and eventually cause sooty mold.

How to find them? Cowpea aphids are usually found in clusters on the alfalfa leaf and stems (Figure 4). It can also be found in vegetative growth and flower parts of a wide range of hosts. They are readily sampled with sweep nets.

Group of cowpea aphids feeding on alfalfa — **Figure 4.** Cowpea aphids on growing tip of alfalfa at BARC. Photo courtesy of Russell Griffith.

Host plants. Cowpea aphid is most commonly found in alfalfa, but may be found on other legumes, such as clovers. More uncommonly, the aphids occur on a variety of weeds and other plants in other plant families.

Management options. Unfortunately, there is not an economic threshold specified for this pest in Maryland alfalfa at this point. However, here are general guidelines for responding to the pest:

Conserve natural enemies. Natural enemies such as lady beetles, damsel bugs, and parasitoid wasps often locate, feed, and reproduce in conjunction with high densities of aphid in alfalfa. If you conserve natural enemies you might find aphids parasitized by parasitoid wasps (Figure 5). When scouting for aphids, watch for natural enemies to help control aphid populations. To help natural enemies stay in your alfalfa field you can use border-strip cutting while harvesting to provide refuge habitats. For more information of this practice, see “Harvest Scheduling and Harvest Impacts on IPM” at the end of this report.
Monitoring for decision-making. Early infestations in alfalfa can result from migration from southern areas. Pay attention to alfalfa fields in March and continue to monitor until fall. Since there are no thresholds developed for cowpea aphid, the thresholds for insecticide applications developed for the blue alfalfa aphid can be used: if alfalfa is 10 inches, then treat if there are 20 or more aphids per stem; if alfalfa is 20 inches tall, then treat if 50 or more aphids per stem.
Figure 5. Aphids parasitized or aphid mummies by a parasitoid wasp. Note the emergence hole (yellow arrows) of the parasitoid wasp in the mummy. Photo courtesy of Darsy Smith.

Potential reasons for the outbreak.

Researchers in the Lamp Lab, University of Maryland, have noted this pest in greenhouse settings but rarely observed them in alfalfa fields. Dr. Lamp suggests that the cowpea aphid may have migrated into Maryland because this species is more common in southern and western areas. Also, the mild winter may have allowed individuals that migrated last year to overwinter in Maryland. Additionally, lack of natural enemies in early spring can potentially lead to an outbreak. Conserving the natural enemies in alfalfa fields and neighboring areas can help decrease aphid abundance.

How can you help?

Records from your alfalfa fields and surrounding crops are valuable sources of information. The information is helpful to not just explain an outbreak but also to provide useful guidelines for farmers to manage the crop and avoid a future outbreak. Practical information that you can provide include any of the following:

Date of first time you have observed the pest
Date of outbreak
Plant height and phenology stage: when you observed the pest for the first time and during outbreak
Presence of natural enemies
Pesticide use and efficacy of application
Alfalfa cultivars/varieties planted during outbreak and previous year
Pictures of damage and estimate of loss

If you find cowpea aphid in your alfalfa field, please contact the nearest county extension office.

Further resources:

University of California Pest Management Guidelines: Alfalfa, Cowpea aphid. http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r1301511.html

University of California Pest Management Guidelines: Alfalfa, Blue alfalfa aphid http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r1302311.html

University of California Pest Management Guidelines: Alfalfa, Harvest Scheduling and Harvest Impacts on IPM. http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r1901011.html#BORDERSTRIP

Aphids on the world’s crops. An identification and information guide. http://www.aphidsonworldsplants.info/

Prepared by Darsy Smith, Graduate Student, Department of Entomology, University of Maryland

April 2020 WASE

Dale Johnson, Farm Management Specialist
University of Maryland

Information from USDA WASDE report

The following is a summary of the April 9 WASDE published on April 9. As expected, ethanol production was down significantly from the March report due to factors related to COVID-19 and the overproduction of crude oil by Russian and Saudi Arabia. These factors decreased demand for corn by 375 million bushel. This was partially offset by an increase in the estimate for feed and residual of 150 million bushel. The net effect is an increase of 200 million bushel of corn in ending stocks and an associated increase in the ending stocks to use ratio from 13.4% to 15.1%

Soybean exports were down 50 million bushel and with other minor adjustments increased the ending stocks from 425 to 480 million bushel and an increase in the stocks to use ratio from 10.5% to 12.0%.

Wheat feed and exports were down, increasing the ending stocks from 940 to 970 million bushel and an associated increase in the ending stocks to use ratio from 43.4% to 45.4%.

These changes in estimates were mostly expected so they had little effect on futures prices.

Online Private Applicator Recertification Training

University of Maryland Extension has an online private applicator recertification course for those that did not get a chance to attend a renewal course during their license cycle. The instructions, video, and form can be found by clicking this link: https://extension.umd.edu/sites/extension.umd.edu/files/_docs/Asynchronous%20On-Line%20PAT%20Recertification%20Course%20&%20Attendance%20Form%202020%20Myers.pdf

If you have any questions, contact R. David Myers, Principal Agriculture Agent in Anne Arundel County, myersrd@umd.edu | 410 222-3906.

MARBIDCO Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund Program Now Open

Annapolis (April 8, 2020)….The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) has established the Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund Program to help Maryland’s food and fiber producers, harvesters and primary processors adjust to the business disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program offers low cost loans with flexible terms for working capital or equipment purchases. The maximum individual loan amount is $10,000, and no collateral security is required to be pledged to receive a loan.

“Many Maryland farmers and other rural businesses are rapidly altering their operations to adjust to changing market conditions in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and some are pivoting to serve new customers and markets almost on the fly,” said Steve McHenry, MARBIDCO’s Executive Director. “This new loan program is designed to get money very quickly into the hands of rural business owners for the purchase of materials and equipment via an easy-to-complete application process.” MARBIDCO has available $1.2 million to lend through this program.

Applicants for this program must currently be operating their qualifying business enterprises in a substantial manner (e.g., as farmers, loggers, seafood harvesters, or as primary food/fiber processors). Spin-off activities of the existing main business enterprise are eligible and encouraged, but purely start-up enterprises are not eligible. Eligible farms and rural businesses can apply for loans up to $3,000 in working capital and up to $10,000 for equipment purchases at a low interest rate with flexible terms. Loan repayments will be made interest-only for five months beginning in August, followed by amortizing payments for 12 to 36 months with a fixed rate of 3.75% starting next year. Borrowers who make all their payments will receive a 10% grant back (of the original amount borrowed) at the end of the loan term.

Working capital includes (but is not limited to): planting materials such as seeds, fertilizers and plastic covers, hand tools, advertising and marketing expenses, and hired labor. Tangible equipment includes equipment with 7 years or more usual lifespan such as: motorized equipment, vehicles, commercial kitchen facilities, engine replacement, refrigeration units, etc.

To further assist Maryland’s farm and rural businesses during this time, MARBIDCO is also reducing the interest rates on its core loan programs by 100 basis points for borrowers that may be looking for more traditional term loan financing. These programs include: Maryland Resource-Based Industry Financing Fund, Maryland Vineyard/Hopyard/Orchard Planting Loan Fund, Rural Business Equipment and Working Capital Loan Fund, and Forestry Equipment and Working Capital Loan Fund. Additional information on these programs is also available on our website.

Applications for the Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund must be submitted by May 31st. The application form is available on the MARBIDCO website at www.marbidco.org. For questions, please call the MARBIDCO office at (410) 267-6807. Due to current social distancing procedures, phone calls may not be readily answered (but all calls will be returned).

Contact: Steve McHenry
410-267-6807
smchenry@marbidco.org

Maryland Regional Crop Reports: April 2020

Reports are for crop conditions up to April 1, 2020

Western Maryland

Temperatures have been above normal for most of the month. Soil moisture is also slightly above average. Manure applications as well as commercial fertilizer applications are in full swing. Small grains are looking good and in some cases oats have overwintered without significant damage, increasing potential forage options. Corn will soon be going in the ground and some sweet corn is already planted. Will the mild winter result in increased weed, insect and disease issues this year? Only time will tell. –Jeff Semler, Washington Co.

Central Maryland

Farmers have been applying manure and fertilizer over the last couple of weeks. It’s been a bit wet, but it’s warming up, and we’ll see more planters in the fields over the next few weeks. I have gotten several questions about controlling Japanese stiltgrass, mostly in pastures and hay fields. Japanese stiltgrass is an annual, so the key is to prevent it from producing seeds. It also germinates earlier than crabgrass, so it is important if you have stiltgrass to be out earlier (i.e. late winter/early spring) when scouting and using control methods like a pre-emergent herbicide. For more information, please visit the Frederick County Ag FAQs page. –Kelly Nichols, Frederick Co.

Northern Maryland

It’s been a mild March and small grains are off to a quick start. Most all wheat has had it’s second shot of nitrogen and is coming along nicely. Field conditions have been fair, although a tad on the wet side that has interrupted some field work, like manure applications; but overall, not a bad start to the 2020 field season. Soils are warming up fast and planters should be hitting the fields in a couple of weeks. –Andy Kness, Harford Co.

Upper and Mid Shore

Most lime has been spread. Most second applications of nitrogen with herbicide have been made to small grains. Over half of manure has been spread and cover crop burn down started a couple weeks ago. Planters are ready to, just waiting on warmer/drier weather. –Jim Lewis, Caroline Co.

Lower Shore

Winter wheat looks good in many fields. We have seen much growth in the past two weeks. Growers have been applying manure across the region. Cover crops have been terminated on what seems to be about half of the acreage. I have not seen any early season corn planted yet. Field conditions are quite wet at the moment due to recent rains. –Sarah Hirsh, Somerset Co.

Southern Maryland

Farmers are busy preparing for planting. Rain showers have slowed some field work. Everyone is busy spreading litter/manure, applying herbicides and completing field operations before planting commences in the next week or so. Small grain crops are at jointing stage. Most of the second N applications have been made. Hay fields are greening up now. We have not experienced any issues with crop inputs. –Ben Beale, St. Mary’s Co.

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