Queenstown, Maryland (June 8, 2023) – On Monday, June 5th, the Delmarva Wheat Tour traveled across the peninsula to visit wheat fields and determine the impact of the 2023 spring season on the cash crop. Seven farms across Delaware and Maryland showed hopeful signs of a good crop for growers. Based on the condition of the wheat viewed, we will likely see combines moving in the coming weeks.

Spring weather was nearly ideal for the small grains. “The four inches of rain in May really allowed the small grains to perform. If we missed that rain, we would have seen drought impacts in the wheat crop,” said Mark Sultenfuss with Nagel Crop Insurance. Otherwise, the dry and cold spring lowered the risk of disease development, with little to no scab found during the tour across fields.

From the seven stops, fields looked to average 75 bushels per acre to well above 100 bushels per acre. All fields had different management throughout the growing season, with practices such as irrigation, growth regulator, fungicide, and combinations of all three. In general, “we are hopeful for a prosperous harvest this summer,” said Mark.

Back in planting season, wheat futures were as high as $8.35 per bushel. Since then, the market has fallen twice, and last week ended at $4.90 per bushel for the 2023 harvest delivery. “There has been a lot of volatility to the market with Ukraine, drought across the United States, and with improved crop ratings from last year,” said Lee Sproull with Leland Commodities Services LLC.

One of the seven stops was at the University of Delaware Caravel Research and Education Center to view the 2023 wheat varieties trials. “There are over 70 varieties of soft red winter wheat, we are honored to provide unbiased variety trials for some of the popular and upcoming varieties for our peninsula growers,” said Alyssa Koehler, Plant Pathologist for the University of Delaware.

On another note, discussion was brought up about barley. Farmers have been cutting barley across the region and seem to be very pleased with the yields and test weights they have come across. One farmer on the mid-shore has seen 100 bushels per acre with 48 test weights coming off dry.

With that, we wish all our growers a bountiful and safe harvest season. Thank you for your dedication to feeding your neighbors.

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The Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board was established in 1991 to administer the Maryland Grain Check-off Program. Grain producers in Maryland voted to institute this voluntary checkoff program, which is funded by participating growers donating 0.5% of each Maryland bushel sold. With this funding, the board can fulfill its mission to increase the profitability of Maryland grain production and to improve public understanding of agriculture through promotion, education, and research. Learn more about the utilization board at marylandgrain.org.

Queenstown, Maryland (May 30, 2023) – On July 27th, 2023, be sure to come out to the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park to celebrate the 25th Annual Maryland Commodity Classic! The Maryland Grain Producers and Maryland Soybean Board are excited to provide a great agenda for the 25th annual event.

Starting at 8:30 AM, Maryland Farm Bureau is providing light refreshments and coffee. The first session will begin at 9:00 AM presented by Eric Vinores of Nationwide covering Land As Your Legacy, Transitioning Your Farm to the Next Generation. At 10:00 AM the Maryland Grain Producers will be hosting a Deer Summit Follow-Up focusing on solutions to crop damage from white-tailed deer. Starting at 10:30 AM sponsors and check-off funded projects will be ready for visitors throughout the park with lunch and snow cones available at 11:00 AM. Be sure to bring cash to support our local 4-H and FFA programs.

Following lunch, the business meeting will begin at 1:30 PM with National and State Policy updates. The Maryland Grain Producers will be awarding $15,000 in scholarships to seven students, two CDL grant recipients, and honoring the Dr. Miller Awardee. To wrap up the program, Scott Shellady, also known as The Cow Guy, from RFDTV will be the keynote speaker. Lastly, enjoy an afternoon of good company with a pork and chicken BBQ and crab feast.

“The Maryland Grain Producers is proud to host this event in partnership with the Maryland Soybean Board. We hope our members and the agricultural community will come out to see the showcase farmer investments in projects increasing the profitability of Maryland grain farmers.”

Utilization Board President, Steve Ernst

Maryland Grain Producers Association members receive a complimentary ticket, if you would like to join our association there is still time to join! Join today with a card or with a check-off transfer at marylandgrain.org/member/. To pre-purchase tickets for our event visit our website at marylandgrain.org/events/.

We will see you on the 27th!

The Maryland Grain Producers Association is a membership organization of grain producers across the state. The organization’s major role is to act as a voice for grain farmers, mostly through its legislative activities both at the state and federal levels. Members stay informed through newsletters, social media, and the Maryland Commodity Classic. Learn more about the organization here.

Maryland (January 19, 2023) – Maryland Grain Producer Association, Executive Director, Lindsay Thompson chats with newly appointed Maryland Secretary of Agriculture, Kevin Atticks. Kevin was appointed by Governor Wes Moore earlier this week. In 2015, Kevin Atticks founded Grow & Fortify to support value-added agricultural organizations and the businesses they represent. Mr. Atticks launched his career publishing books about the local wine industry but soon led the industry by hiring talented staff, building new events and promotional programs, and guiding government affairs initiatives. He serves on the University of Maryland College of Agriculture’s Global Leadership Council, the board of Future Harvest, and the board of the Maryland Tourism Coalition where he previously served as chair. He is the past president of the Maryland Agricultural Resource Council, and past chair of the WineAmerica State & Regional Associations Advisory Council. In addition to serving as Executive Director of the Maryland Wineries Association for 20 years, Mr. Atticks also serves as the Executive Director of the Brewers Association of Maryland and the Maryland Distillers Guild. During his tenure, he has advanced major policy initiatives, clearing age-old laws and regulations, while bringing business growth, new jobs, and new tax revenue to the state. Mr. Atticks holds a bachelor’s in journalism from Loyola University Maryland, a master’s in environmental journalism from CU-Boulder, and a doctorate in communications design from the University of Baltimore. He holds a faculty position in communication at Loyola University Maryland.

Thompson: What are you hoping to achieve in your first 90 days as Secretary of Agriculture?

Atticks: My first objective is to listen and learn from the agency and the agriculture community. My goal is to get to know every sub-agency and department within MDA and speak with every agricultural organization. I am really interested in doing a full agriculture industry assessment including every sector. We have a real opportunity from the Moore administration to make agriculture a priority. Agriculture contributes so much to the state and it is time to make the state work for agriculture.

Thompson: What opportunities do you see for agriculture to help the Moore administration achieve their climate goals?

Atticks: The first thing everyone needs to understand is that farmers are the original environmentalists. No one cares more about the environment than farmers. Period. I want the administration to work with every facet of the industry to support agriculture in leading and assisting the state in meeting their climate goals. The industry can bring forward many ideas and I am confident that through meetings with farmers, we can find ways to work together.

Thompson: How do you plan to work with all types of agricultural producers?

Atticks: The reality is that none of the segments of the agriculture industry is truly isolated. Every segment is interconnected. I have seen the silo-ing over the years and different types of farmers not talking with each other which has allowed external groups to shape the conversation. Agriculture is under pressure from a lot of different interests. We have to speak with a unified agriculture voice from value-added to commodity, conventional to organic, and small to large. We need to unify common goals and priorities. Each segment may have their own priorities but there are certain things that are good for all of agriculture. When you zoom out and look at all of Maryland and see common themes like development pressure, environmental needs, issues with poverty, and food insecurity – agriculture has a huge role in solving many of these issues. It may seem foreign to a grain and soybean farmer on the Eastern Shore or hemp farmer in southern Maryland but, farmers have the opportunity to make a big difference in the overall well-being of Marylanders.

Thompson: How can farmers help you be the best Secretary of Agriculture you can be?

Atticks: Know that I am ready, willing, and excited to speak with and hear from anyone in the industry. So, make use of that opportunity. I want to hear from you. Please invite me out and I will bring the team out including MDA but also other cabinet secretaries. This is an extremely collaborative administration. Ag will be working with the Department of Environment, Natural Resources, Labor and Health. We need to be working together from the start.