Hello, Harford County!
University of
Maryland Extension
May in Maryland! The Sheep and Wool
Harford County Office
Festival, Preakness, and…mosquitoes? In
Maryland, mosquitoes generally make their
P.O. Box 663
appearance in May. While they’re generally an
2335 Rock Spring Road
unwelcome pest, mosquitoes are a bigger
Forest Hill, MD 21050
concern than normal this year because of
(410) 638-3255
recent outbreaks of the Zika virus.
M—F 8:00 a.m—4:30 p.m.
Zika has been getting a lot of press lately,
so
you
probably know that it’s spread by two
Extension.umd.edu/harford-county
species
of Aedes mosquitoes. (It can also be
facebook.com/HarfordAg
sexually transmitted through semen and can
be passed from a woman to her fetus during
Sara BhaduriHauck
pregnancy.) Most people who contract the
Ag Extension Educator
virus experience only mild symptoms, if any.
sbh@umd.edu
The Zika virus has gained so much attention,
however, because it can cause serious birth
defects in the babies of infected pregnant
women. There is no vaccine, and there are
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
many unknowns about how the virus
behaves as research is still ongoing.
Grants for Specialty
2
As of April 27, all reported cases of Zika in
Crops and Value-Added
the U.S. were in people who recently
Products
traveled to areas where Zika outbreaks are
occurring. Eleven of those cases were
Invasive Species:
3
reported in Maryland. Although there is
not an outbreak occurring here currently,
Japanese Stiltgrass
infected individuals are present, and
Aedes mosquitoes occur in Maryland. Thus
Restoration Services for
4
it’s possible that we could be dealing with
Harford Landowners
an outbreak this summer.
The Maryland
Department
of
Administering Antibiotics
5
Agriculture (MDA) and the Maryland
Department of Health and Mental
to Livestock—Legal
Controls
PSNT: Crucial for Corn!
6
Grow It, Eat It, Preserve
It Canning Classes
7
The Extension Office will be
closed on Monday, May 30 in
observance of Memorial Day.
Hygiene, as well as local health departments,
are working to prevent the spread of Zika via
surveillance, source reduction, biological
control for larvae, and, when necessary,
pesticide applications for adult mosquitoes.
But citizens have a responsibility to take
action, too! Eliminating breeding sites is the
most effective thing you can do. There are
many areas on a farm where standing water
can collect: buckets, tarps, and flower pots
are just a few that come to mind. Be diligent
about eliminating standing water, and
encourage everyone you know to do the
same.
At this time, Zika is only known to pose a
health risk to humans. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), there have not been any reports of
animals becoming sick with Zika virus, and
birth defects have not been reported in
infected animals.
The CDC has compiled a comprehensive
collection of information about Zika at
www.cdc.gov/zika. MDA has also assembled
resources and information, including tips for
eliminating mosquito breeding sites, at
mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Pages/
Zika.aspx.
Sincerely,
Agronomy Newsletter Available
The first edition of the 2016 “Agronomy News” newsletter is now on the web
and can be obtained by visiting go.umd.edu/3ym. In this edition, you will find
updates on freeze damage, resistant ragweed, disease, and weather. If you
would like to be added to the email distribution list for “Agronomy News,” you
can sign up at extension.umd.edu/grain/agronomy-news.
Grants Available for Specialty Crops
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has announced a competitive grant program to fund projects designed
solely to enhance the competitiveness of local specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. The
department will administer $325,000 in reimbursement grants to projects focusing on food safety, market
enhancement, and pest management. The minimum amount of funding per project is $15,000. The department
intends to fund projects that can produce the highest degree of measurable benefits to Maryland specialty crop
producers in relation to each dollar spent. Successful applicants will need to have support from specialty crop
producers as well. To qualify for the grant, applicants must be a Maryland resident or affiliated with a business
or organization within the state. Electronic grant applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on May 18. Visit
the department’s website to download the application. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Karen
Fedor (karen.fedor@maryland.gov, 410-841-5773) to discuss their proposal.
Grants Available for Value-Added Products
The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development
Corporation (MARBIDCO) has announced a grant funding opportunity to
encourage Maryland's independent agricultural producers to engage in valueadded activities and pursue financial support from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Value Added Producer Grants Program (USDA-VAPG). The USDAVAPG is a highly competitive nationwide grants program with approximately
$44 million available for distribution in 2016. These grant funds can be used for
planning or working capital expenses in accordance with USDA regulations.
Eligible purposes include feasibility studies or business plans, working capital
for marketing value-added agricultural products and for farm-based renewable
energy projects. MARBIDCO is making available Maryland Value Added
Producer Matching Grants (MVAPMG) of up to 15% of the amount of a USDAVAPG award to help an eligible applicant meet the non-federal financial
matching requirement. All applicants that meet the MARBIDCO requirements
will receive a commitment of matching funds to be included with their federal
USDA-VAPG application. A MVAPMG monetary award from MARBIDCO will
only be provided to an applicant that is selected to receive USDA-VAPG
funding. The application submission deadline for the USDA-VAPG program is
Friday, July 1, 2016. Questions regarding the USDA-VAPG can be addressed to
the Maryland/Delaware Office of USDA-Rural Development at 302-857-3629 or
by visiting USDA’s website for more information. Applicants seeking to receive a
commitment of matching funds from MARBIDCO must submit an application at
least two weeks prior to the federal submission deadline. The deadline for
submission of MARBIDCO applications is Tuesday, June 14, 2016 (or postmarked
by June 13, 2016). Please visit the MARBIDCO website for more information and
to download the MVAPMG application form. Questions about the MVAPMG may
also be addressed by contacting Andra Davis, MARBIDCO Financial Programs
Specialist, at 410-267-6807.
Thinking About Staying Warm Next Winter?
If you heat with firewood, now is the time to
think about getting your wood for next winter. Why?
Because it takes 6-9 months to season wood properly
to about 20% moisture, which provides the most heat
(measured as British Thermal Units, or BTUs) and
lowest emissions. Research indicates that about 60% of
people who burn firewood collect and process the
wood themselves. However, whether you buy it or do
it yourself, the outcome is usually the same: most
people burn wood that is not properly seasoned and it
creates problems with using your stove.
One myth is that if a tree is dead, its wood is
dry; it merely needs to be cut and split and it is ready
to go. Actually, dead trees still have a lot of moisture in
the wood. In fact, hardwood does not start to dry
significantly until it is split, so cutting it into rounds is
not enough to start the seasoning process. The
University of Maryland Extension’s firewood drying
study used 8-14” diameter fresh-cut hickory logs. The
wood was cut into 16-inch rounds and put in a wellventilated and covered area along with hickory rounds
that were split into firewood pieces. After one year, the
un-split rounds still had over 30% moisture when split
while the split wood was 20% moisture. Wood needs to
be split to dry!
So if you cut your own firewood, now is the
time to cut and split it and cover it so that air can
circulate through the woodpile and dry it in time for
the fall. If you buy firewood, now is the time to buy it
because many producers sell wood that is not properly
seasoned, so by purchasing it now you can store and
cover it so it can dry by fall. The added bonus is that
prices are typically cheaper this time of year.
The stories on this page are from
University of Maryland Extension’s
quarterly “Branching Out”
newsletter. You can subscribe to
“Branching Out” by e-mailing Editor
Andrew Kling at akling1@umd.edu.
Invasive Species: Japanese Stiltgrass
This issue’s invasive plant goes by a number of
aliases. Besides the most common name, Japanese
stiltgrass, it is also known as Nepalese browntop,
Chinese packing grass, and others. No matter what
you call it, Microstegium vimineum is an invasive grass
that threatens native plants and natural habitats in
the eastern United States.
What is it?
Japanese stiltgrass is native to Japan, China,
central Asia and India. Its first documented
appearance in the US was in 1919 in Tennessee.
Apparently it was used as packing material for
porcelain from China and escaped.
Today, this invasive has successfully colonized a
variety of habitats throughout the eastern half of the
nation, including every county in Maryland, and
reaching as far west as Texas.
David Apsley, of Ohio State University Extension,
calls Japanese stiltgrass “very adaptable” because it
“can tolerate low-light environments with sufficient
soil nutrients and moisture; conversely, it can tolerate
low-nutrient and low-moisture environments with
adequate light. When there are adequate amounts of
nutrients, moisture, and light, it can thrive and outcompete most native understory plants.”
It can be found in the moist, open ground of
woodlands, floodplain forests, wetlands, fields,
thickets, roadsides and ditches. It can also colonize
open lawns, where favorable conditions of moist, rich
soils high in nitrogen from fertilizers allow it to thrive.
How does it spread?
Japanese stiltgrass spreads in a fashion similar to
many grasses. Its flowers are small and hidden, but
are self-fertilizing. Each plant can produce 100-1,000
seeds that remain viable in the soil for as long as three
years. The seeds germinate very quickly in soils that
have been disturbed by both natural and mechanical
means. Deer do not browse on this grass, but an
abundance of deer may overbrowse native plants and
disturb the soil enough so that the invasive can take
root.
(con’t…)
How can I identify it?
Japanese stiltgrass is an annual that typically grows
one to three feet in height. Although it grows in
sprawling mats, the plant itself resembles a miniature
bamboo. Leaves are narrow and lance-shaped. They
have a distinctive, pale, silvery stripe of reflective hairs
on the upper surface. It is similar in appearance to
several native grasses, including Virginia cutgrass,
Pennsylvania knotweed, and some smartweeds.
How can I control it?
This grass has very shallow roots, so removal by
hand-pulling is easily accomplished, especially when
the soil is moist. It is best to do in late summer when
the plants are mature; doing so earlier in the year
encourages further flowering and early seed dispersal.
Chemical herbicides may be necessary to treat
extensive infestations. Grass-specific herbicides, such
as Ortho Grass B Gon, are best when used in spot
treatment (such as in landscape beds). Other
herbicides, such as Roundup or Accord, are nonspecific and are best applied to infestations where no
other plants are present.
Photo: University of MD Extension
Photo: Cornell University Cooperative Extension
Restoration Services for Harford Landowners
Harford County is starting a county-wide habitat restoration program and is seeking willing participants to
accept free restoration services on their property! The Department of Planning and Zoning (P&Z) would like to
reforest land, as well as restore streams and wetlands, to promote better environmental health. Restoration of
a natural habitat reduces soil erosion, mitigates flooding, greatly contributes to better water quality, and
creates sustainable wildlife habitat. For any questions, or if you are interested in accommodating this habitat
restoration effort, please contact Bryan Lightner, Environmental Planner in P&Z, at (410) 638-3103 ext. 1386 or
bclightner@harfordcountymd.gov.
Eastern Tent Caterpillars at Annoying Levels This Year
One of the most visible signs of spring this year is
the abundance of Eastern tent caterpillar nests. This
native insect gets its name from its familiar silken tents
in roadside trees. Typically there are only one or two
tents per tree; however, many trees this year are
sporting multiple tents, causing residents to be
concerned for the trees as the caterpillars eat all the
leaves.
The lack of damage is due to the timing, not the
severity of the defoliation. Because the caterpillars
hatch as soon as the young leaves unfurl in the spring,
the tree has put little energy into the leaves and
typically re-foliate in June, seemingly no worse for
wear. The young caterpillars venture out to feed on
leaves during the night and return to the tents for
protection during the day.
Homeowners concerned about particular plants
may wish to keep an eye on them and consider U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved
insecticides before the caterpillars mature and are
done feeding. The Eastern tent caterpillar finishes
eating in mid- to late-May and leaves the tent to seek a
place to spin a cocoon. By this time in the lifecycle, it is
too late to use insecticides to control the fully grown
tent caterpillars since most insecticides available to the
public must be sprayed on leaves and ingested by the
caterpillars to be effective. (Source: MDA. Abridged.)
Photo: University of Kentucky
Administering Antibiotics to Livestock—Legal Controls
By Sarah Everhart, Legal Specialist, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Reprinted from the Maryland Risk Management Education Blog
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control,
at least 2 million people in the United States become
infected with bacteria resistant to antibiotics each
year, and at least 23,000 people die as a direct result
of these infections. To address this health concern,
identical bills have been introduced into the Maryland
House (HB829) and Senate (SB607) which aim to
prohibit producers from administering antibiotics or
antimicrobial drugs to cattle, swine, or poultry without
a prescription or veterinary feed directive (VFD) issued
by a veterinarian. Each branch of the legislature has
had an initial hearing on the respective bills though it
is unclear at this point whether either will proceed in
the legislative process.
According to a story published February 26, 2016,
in the Carroll County Times, Sen. Nathan-Pulliam, who
is one of the bill’s sponsors as well as a registered
nurse, explained the reason she sponsored the SB607,
"[w]hen farm animals are given antibiotics in their
feed and we eat it, we can develop resistance." In the
same story, the Maryland State Veterinarian Dr.
Michael Radebaugh explained the bills are essentially
a duplicate of the Food and Drug Administration's
(FDA) new animal feed regulations which will go into
effect starting 2017.
antimicrobial drugs for production purposes; (b) add
scientifically-supported disease treatment, control, or
prevention uses where appropriate; and (c) change
the marketing status from over-the-counter to VFD for
drugs administered through feed or to prescription
status for drugs administered through water to
provide for veterinary oversight or consultation. FDA
has also updated the agency’s existing regulations
relating to VFD drugs.
Although FDA made some updates to its
regulation, its approach to phasing out over-thecounter antibiotic use is a voluntary strategy. The
regulation requests drug sponsors to work with FDA to
revise the approved use conditions for their medically
necessary antimicrobial drug products, removing
production uses (such as growth enhancement or feed
efficiency), and bringing the remaining therapeutic
uses under veterinary oversight. Once manufacturers
voluntarily make these changes, products can no
longer be used for production purposes, and
therapeutic
use
would
require
veterinary
oversight. Although this is a voluntary program, once
product labeling is voluntarily changed, it will be a
violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
to use these products in feed for production purposes.
What is the FDA doing?
Currently, livestock producers can buy feed-grade
antibiotics over the counter at a feed mill. In 2013, the
FDA released a voluntary guidance document, New
Animal Drugs and New Animal Drug Combination
Products Administered in or on Medicated Feed or
Drinking Water of Food-Producing Animals:
Recommendations for Drug Sponsors for Voluntarily
Aligning Product Use Conditions with GFI
#209 (Guidance #213). The document guides drug
companies to voluntarily revise the FDA-approved
labeled use conditions to (a) remove the use of
How will the new system work?
Starting Jan. 1, 2017, veterinarians will have to
write a VFD or prescription for medically important
antibiotics (examples: penicillin or sulfa) use in
livestock feed, and those antibiotics can only be used
to treat specific health concerns. Once the farmer
gets the prescription, he will have to fill it at a
distributor who has registered that specific
prescription with the FDA. The veterinarian, farmer
and distributor are required to keep the VFD
paperwork for two years.
Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Training
A two-day Fundamentals of Nutrient Management Pre-Certification Training
Course will be held June 2-3 at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50
Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis. The training provides participants with Maryland Dpt. of Agriculture
an overview of material covered by the Maryland Nutrient Management
Annapolis, MD
Certification Examination scheduled for August 5. (This is the certification
required for those who write nutrient management plans for operations other than their own.) Topics include
state nutrient management regulations, nutrient management principles, basic soil science, and soil fertility
recommendations. The non-refundable registration fee is $125 and includes learning materials and lunch.
Register by mail by May 25. For more information or to obtain a registration form, call 410-841-5959.
June 2-3, 2016
Pre-Sidedress Nitrate Testing: Crucial for Corn!
By Patricia Hoopes, Harford County Nutrient Management Advisor
Soil nitrogen levels are very important for crop
health and yields, especially when growing corn grain
or corn silage. Fertilizer recommendations that are
generated for a field that had a previous forage
legume crop or manure application assume a
significant nitrogen contribution from the previous
crop or manure application. However, nitrogen is not
a stable compound, and there are many factors that
can affect the amount that is actually present when
the plant needs it. This can make it tricky to know
exactly how much nitrogen is in your soil and thus how
much nitrogen fertilizer you need to add.
The pre-sidedress nitrate test (PSNT) takes the
guesswork out of nitrogen availability. This test
determines how much nitrate nitrogen is present in
the soil at a critical time. When the results indicate that
the nitrogen level is satisfactory, the grower is saved
from any more financial inputs. However, when
nitrogen levels are found to be too low, nitrogen can be
side-dressed at a rate to ensure an adequate crop.
Do your crop recommendations depend on a
nitrogen credit from an organic application or a
previous forage legume crop? Are you applying less
than 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre in your starter
fertilizer? If this scenario describes your corn field, it is
highly recommended that you schedule a PSNT study to
evaluate the nitrogen levels at this critical time.
Qualifications for PSNT testing:
1) Corn silage or corn grain is being grown.
2) Manure or biosolids have been applied this year or in
the past two years, OR a forage legume was grown in
the previous year.
3) Less than 50 pounds of commercial fertilizer nitrogen
per acre was applied prior to testing.
PSNT is not applicable when:
1) More than 50 pounds of commercial fertilizer
nitrogen has been applied to the field.
2) Commercial fertilizer has been the only nutrient
source.
3) Irrigation is used.
When should this test be done?
The PSNT must be run when corn is between 6 and 12
inches tall. It is recommended that you let your nutrient
management advisor know now that you will want this
test done to ensure the advisor’s availability. It is also
recommended that growers alert their advisors prior to
the 6 inch stage. Corn grows quickly during this critical
time, and scheduling can be challenging.
For questions on the PSNT test or to schedule testing
for your fields, call Tricia Hoopes, Nutrient
Management Advisor at the Harford County Extension
Office, at 410-638-3255.
PSNT Services are offered for both UME clients as well
as for farmers preparing their own Nutrient
Management Plans and for private consultants. Nonclients must provide information on nutrient
applications, crop histories, and soil samples. Forms
and directions are available upon request.
Grow It, Eat It, Preserve It — Canning Classes
Do you want to preserve the bounty
of your garden? Have you always
wanted to make your own jams and
pickles? Join us for a series of canning
classes at the Harford County
Extension Office this spring, summer,
and fall. This series is intended to
provide a hands-on experience for
both beginners and advanced
canners. Each session will include a
class lecture followed by time in the
kitchen to cook and can produce
you’ll take home the same day.
Registration is $35 per session and
includes all the equipment and
produce to process your own
preserved jar. Registration is required in advance and must be accompanied by payment. You can register online
at gieipihc16.eventbrite.com or by cash or check. For questions, or to register and pay with cash or check, call the
Baltimore County Extension Office at 410-887-8090.
New Website Connects Consumers with MD Flowers
The Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Cut Flower Growers
Association are pleased to announce the launch of the Maryland Grown Flowers
website: www.marylandgrownflowers.com. With a recent increase in demand for local
cut flowers, this new website will provide valuable help to any Marylanders interested
in locating or learning about locally grown cut flowers. Website features include a
section where users can browse photos of various types of flowers available by season
and a directory of local farms listed by county. There is also a photo gallery of different
floral arrangements made with Maryland-grown cut flowers.
Candidates Sought for Baltimore City 4-H Position
University of Maryland Extension is accepting candidates for an Associate Agent to
work with the 4-H program in Baltimore City. The successful candidate will provide
leadership for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive,
innovative youth and adult educational programming in nutrition education and
healthy lifestyles. The position requires a bachelor’s degree and willingness to work
flexible hours including some evenings and weekends. This is a non-tenure track
position. Candidates must apply online at ejobs.umd.edu: choose “faculty” and search
for position number 120944. For best consideration, apply by May 13.
Jeff Myers
Area Extension Director
Harford, Baltimore,
and Carroll Counties
Sara Meagher BhaduriHauck
Faculty Extension Assistant
Agriculture and
Natural Resources
sbh@umd.edu
Extension.umd.edu/Harford-county
facebook.com/HarfordAg
The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all citizens and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color,
sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression. The
information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by University of Maryland Extension is implied.