Author: Jenell Eck

2023 Regional Conservation Partnership Program Funding

As a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) has funding available for precision nutrient management, manure injection, and soil health conservation practices. The application cut-off is April 14, 2023. For more information please contact Jordan Bailey at 410-913-0264 or by email at jordan.bailey2@usda.gov, or visit the website here.

Demonstration Driven 4R Field Day

Queenstown, Maryland (September 28, 2022) – On August 31st, the Delaware Maryland 4R Alliance partnered with the University of Maryland Agronomy Program for their annual Field Day at the Wye Research and Education Center. Over 140 participated to explore more about 4R practices – applying nutrients from the right source, at the right rate and time, and in the right place.

Demonstrations included the Environmental Tillage System’s Soil Warrior strip-till machine and a Hoobers strip -till machine. Strip-tillage focuses only on the rows where crops will be planted to support the application of variable rate fertilizer, both dry and liquid, in the soil just below where the seed will be placed.

Mr. Craig Yohn with the University of Maryland Extension explained the benefits of the 4R approach to applying manure. He demonstrated how to calibrate a dry poultry litter spreader and explained the value of poultry litter as a viable plant food.

Mike Twining with Willard’s Agri-Service showcased precision placement of nutrients with a liquid sprayer demonstrating multiple nozzles to match the crop needs.

Dr. Trenton Roberts, Associate Professor of Soil Fertility at the University of Arkansas provided a lunchtime talk on his research with Pivot Bio. Dr. Roberts has performed multi-year performance trials with Pivot Bio’s strains of microbes. His results demonstrated that the product can provide nitrogen to corn under certain conditions, and it is generally difficult to predict which conditions in any given year will be ideal for the use of the product.

Lunch was catered by Sisters By Chance in Galena, with delicious chicken, provided by Mountaire Farms. Then attendees enjoyed a wagon tour of UMD agronomic research at the Wye Research and Education Center. Stops covered the performance of crop variety trials presented by Dr. Nicole Fiorellino, the use of fungicides in soybeans with Andy Kness, novel research in deer damage in soybeans presented by Dr. Luke Macaulay, cover crop impact on weed control with Dr. Kurt Vollmer, and current entomology research being performed by Dr. Kelly Hamby.

*Photos were taken by Matthew Kane with The Nature Conservancy.

Thank you to our 2022 event sponsors!

  • AgroTech USA
  • Chorman Spraying
  • Corteva Agriservice
  • Crow Insurance Agency
  • Fulton Bank
  • Harry Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology
  • Horizon Farm Credit
  • King Crop Insurance
  • MARBIDCO
  • Mountaire Farms
  • Nagel Crop Insurance
  • Northeast SARE
  • Pivot Bio
  • Revere Seed
  • Timac
  • UniSouth Genetics, Inc.
  • Willard Agri-Service

4R Farming, Biologicals, and More!

Queenstown, Maryland (August 22, 2022) – The Delaware Maryland 4R (DEMD4R) Alliance is preparing for its annual 4R Field Day being held on August 31st at the Wye Research and Education Center. This year, DEMD4R is working with the University of Maryland Agronomy Program to offer more to the annual event.

We hope to see you at 8:00 AM to network with event sponsors and other farmers. At 9:00 AM attendees will rotate through three 45-minute stations covering the 4R’s of Manure Management, Splitting Nitrogen, and Strip-Tillage. Then everyone will come together at 11:45 AM to hear from our Keynote, Dr. Trenton Roberts with the University of Arkansas. Dr. Roberts will be showcasing his findings on pivot bio biologicals. After a delicious lunch, catered by Sisters by Chance, enjoy an agronomy tour of the Wye. Through a guided tour, enjoy five 15-minute stations showcasing ongoing crop production research here in Maryland.

We are thankful for our event sponsors for helping make our annual field day possible and free! Please reserve a seat online at 4rmidatlantic.com/upcoming-events/. See you on the 31st!

Continuing Education Credits being offered during the morning section:

  • Maryland Nutrient Management – 4 Credits
  • Delaware Nutrient Management – 3.5 Credits
  • Pennsylvania Nutrient Management – 1.5 Credits
  • CCA Credits – 2.5 Nutrient Management, 1 Crop Management

2022 Delaware Maryland 4R and Agronomy Day, Register Now

The Annual 4R and Agronomy Field Day is quickly approaching. This year, the Delaware Maryland 4R Alliance and the University of Maryland Agronomy Program are co-hosting the event to offer an educational and networking-friendly event for you!

Join us at the Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown on August 31 starting at 8:00 AM. The morning program includes three stations focused on different technologies to apply 4R’s of nutrient management – applying nutrients with the right source, at the right time, in the right place, and right rate followed by a conversation with Dr. Trenton Roberts with the University of Arkansas on his research on the use of biologicals in nutrient management. Following lunch, the University of Maryland Agronomy Program will present a field tour of current agronomic research at the center.

Attendance is free including lunch but registration is required to save your seat. You can register online below. Continuing education credits for Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania nutrient management, as well as CCA, will be available for the event.

If you would be interested in sponsoring our event this year, please contact Jenell McHenry at jenell.mdag@gmail.com or by calling the office at 443-262-8491.