Banner for Agronomy News featuring a close-up photograph of mature corn ears in a field. The University of Maryland Extension and AgFS (Agriculture & Food Systems) logos appear at the top. Large text reads “Agronomy News,” with the subtitle “A research-based publication from the University of Maryland Extension Agronomy Team.”
Updated: October 1, 2026

October 2026  | Volume 17, Issue 7

Inside this Issue:

Meetings for the 2026-2027 Crop Production Season

Our local Ag Agents and specialists are preparing for an exciting series of events. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or just starting out, these meetings are designed to provide valuable insights and resources to help you maximize your agricultural success.

Explore our upcoming events

2027 Custom Rate Survey Open

Shannon Dill, Assistant Director of Operations

Extension services in Maryland and Delaware will collect custom survey rates this fall, and we need your help gathering the most current information on farm custom work rates, machinery rental rates, and hired labor costs. Farmers across both states use custom rates to make informed decisions about farm operations and expenses. Your input is important to ensuring that the survey reflects current, accurate market conditions.

This year, we have also added drone/UAV application as a new practice. Please provide any current rate information you may have for this emerging service.

Please respond even if you know only a few rates. We want information on actual rates, either what you PAID TO HIRE work or what you CHARGED TO PERFORM custom work. Custom Rates should include all ownership costs of implement tractor (if needed), operator labor, fuel, and lube. The Custom Rate Survey will summarize reported rates to show ranges and averages. NO individual names or rates will be published in the Custom Rate Survey.

Results will be available at local Extension Offices and online at https://extension.umd.edu/grainmarketing. We hope this publication will benefit you as a custom farm operator. Thank you for your cooperation in this effort.

The survey can be completed online at: https://go.umd.edu/customrate2027, or to get a blank survey, call the Talbot County Extension office at (410) 822-1244. Please complete the survey by December 31, 2026.

ANMP remains fully operational and committed to meeting your needs.

Registration Open for 2026 Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School!

Attendees seated at tables during an agricultural education meeting or conference, facing a presenter outside the image. The room is arranged classroom-style with participants taking notes and listening to the presentation.
Photo courtesy of Nicole Fiorellino

The 2026 Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School (MACMS) is scheduled for November 17-19, 2026 at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort in Ocean City, MD. This 2 ½-day intensive training is hosted annually by University of Maryland and University of Delaware. The school is designed for professionals interested in crop management issues, including agronomists, crop consultants, extension educators, farmers, pesticide dealers, and soil conservationists.

A highlight of MACMS is the customizable curriculum available to attendees. MACMS features a modular format where attendees can tailor their schedule by choosing from five program options offered each hour, emphasizing the delivery of new and advanced information and encouraging group discussion.

The 2026 school will offer CCA continuing education units (CEUs) in five key categories: Crop Management, Nutrient Management, Pest Management, Soil & Water Management, and Sustainability. The total CEUs earned depend on course selection. Additionally, the school provides Pesticide Recertification Credits for DE, MD, NJ, PA, WV, and VA, as well as continuing education for Nutrient Management Consultants in those same states.

This year we are featuring two exciting, new events. First, the “Becoming a CCA” track is a four-session series on Thursday November 19 from 8:00 a.m. to noon. This session will equip aspiring CCAs with core technical knowledge, exam preparation strategies, and real-world field insights. The track will end with a panel discussion featuring regional CCAs who will share their insight into the value of CCAs and their thoughts on the future of CCAs in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Be sure to register for these sessions during the registration process.

We will host “Farm Duel” farm competition during the Tuesday reception. On Tuesday night from 5-8pm inside the Princess Royale, we will offer Farm Duel, a friendly competition where teams make rapid, real-time farm management decisions over a growing season that lasts a few hours. Team decisions are input into a crop growth model and prizes will be given to most profitable, most nutrient efficient, and highest yielding teams. No registration required - come prepared with a creative team name!

Enrollment in MACMS is on a first-come, first-served basis and can be completed online at http://go.umd.edu/26crop. Early-Bird Registration is $350 if received by October 23rd and standard registration is $410 by November 6th. The registration fee includes participation in the 2 ½ days of sessions, materials, three continental breakfasts, two lunches, and refreshment breaks.

Hotel reservations at the Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort should be made no later than October 16th, 2026 to guarantee the group rates ($119/night for pool view; $169/night for oceanfront, plus fees/taxes). For questions or assistance, please contact Ms. Taylor Robinson at taylormr@umd.edu (410) 827-8056.

Events

IPM Webinar Series:
The series meets on the third Thursday of every month from 12 to 1 pm. For more details and registration, visit https://go.umd.edu/ipmwebinar. Maryland Pesticide Credits are available. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Hayden Schug at 301-226-7502.

  • Oct 15, 2026: Precision herbicide application - Dr. Travis Ford, University of Maryland Extension

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Maryland Crop Scouting School 
Date: September 24, 2026  |  Thursday
Time: 9:00 am to 2:45 pm  |  Cost: $10
Location: Central Maryland Research and Education Center, 4240 Folly Quarter Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Description: Join us for a hands-on Crop Scouting School focused on building practical skills for identifying and managing pests, diseases, and crop issues in the field. Participants will learn how to scout effectively, recognize key problems, and make informed management decisions using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles. This program is designed for farmers, crop consultants, and ag service providers looking to improve their field diagnostics and decision-making. This event covers common pests in row crop and vegetable production systems.
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maryland-crop-scouting-school-at-wye-tickets-1988090629591?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Small Farm Success Workshop
Date: October 15, 2026 | Thursday
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Cost: Free (registration is required)
Location: The Elk Room - Cecil County Administration Building, 200 Chesapeake Blvd, Elkton, MD 21921
Description: Please join us for the Small Farm Success Workshop, a practical, hands-on program designed to provide useful information and resources for small-acreage farmers. topics include: pest management, soil fertility and nutrient management, ag business and marketing, ag law, right to farm, ag leasing, NRCS conservation cost-share resources, and micro grant resources. The workshop will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Free lunch will be provided, and there will also be giveaways.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact Annie Steele at University of Maryland Extension - Kent County at 410-778-1661 or asteele4@umd.edu by October 1, 2026.
Registration: go.umd.edu/smallfarmsuccessworkshop

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2026 Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference
Date: October 28, 2026
Time: 7:30 am. to 3:30 pm  |  Cost: General Early Bird (on or before Sept. 30) $100, General: $200; Student*: $25 *Valid Student ID will need to be shown on the day of the event
Location: Crowne Plaza Annapolis by IHG, 173 Jennifer Road Annapolis, MD 21401
Description: This event attracts agricultural service providers, attorneys, educators, environmentalists, producers, landowners, policymakers, and students to discuss the complex intersection of environmental regulation and agriculture in Maryland. ALEI prides itself on hosting an event that brings agriculture and conservation experts together in a forum that allows for exchanging ideas and education for conference attendees on current legal topics of interest. For more information, to view the agenda, or to register, visit 2026 Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference.

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Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School
Date: November 17-19, 2026
Location: Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort, 9110 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842
Description: The 2026 event booklet and description of courses can be found here.
Registration: go.umd.edu/26crop

September 8, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Maryland Soybean Board Announces Second Annual Yield Contest

CORDOVA, Md. — The Maryland Soybean Board is inviting growers across the state to compete for top honors in the second annual Maryland Soybean Yield Contest.

The contest recognizes Maryland farmers who achieve outstanding soybean yields while gathering valuable information about the production practices contributing to their success. A statewide winner will be named in both the irrigated and dryland categories, with each receiving a $1,000 prize. “The first year of the contest demonstrated the impressive yields Maryland soybean growers are capable of achieving,” said Eddie Boyle, Chair of the Maryland Soybean Board. “We look forward to building on that momentum, recognizing more of our state’s outstanding producers and learning from the practices helping them succeed.”

Any grower with a contest field located entirely within Maryland is eligible to participate. Entrants may use any production method, including conventional or conservation tillage, and full-season or double-crop production. Each farmer may submit only one entry in each category.

Contest entries must be harvested from a continuous two-acre block and verified by an approved supervising agent. Eligible supervising agents include Maryland Soybean Board Directors, University of Maryland Extension agents, USDA and Soil Conservation District employees, and individuals certified by the National Corn Growers Association. The supervising agent must be present to measure the contest area, oversee harvest and verify the official weight and moisture content.

Entries producing more than 100 bushels per acre require a Maryland Soybean Board Director to be present during the initial harvest check. They must also be rechecked using an adjacent two-acre area, with the recheck serving as the official contest entry.

The entry fee is $30 per submission, and all yield checks must be completed by December 15, 2026. Winners will be recognized at the Maryland Commodity Classic in July 2027.

In addition to celebrating high-yielding growers, the contest helps identify the varieties, inputs and management strategies performing well under Maryland growing conditions. Participants agree to share production information that may be published by the Maryland Soybean Board.

For complete contest rules, entry materials and online credit card payment, visit www.mdsoy.com/maryland-soybean-yield-contest/.

About the Maryland Soybean Board

The Maryland Soybean Board administers the soybean checkoff program within the state and invests grower contributions in research, education, promotion and market development initiatives designed to increase the profitability of Maryland soybean farmers.

Maryland farmers grow nearly 500,000 acres of soybeans each year, producing more than 20 million bushels annually. Valued at nearly $200 million to the state's economy, soybeans rank among Maryland’s top agricultural commodities and play a vital role in supporting livestock, poultry, renewable fuels, and other key sectors. For more information, visit www.mdsoy.com.

Contact: Danielle Bauer, Executive Director, Maryland Soybean Board
 443-812-4526 | danielle@mdsoy.com

Agronomy News is a statewide newsletter for farmers, consultants, researchers, and educators interested in grain and row crop forage production systems. This newsletter is published by the University of Maryland Extension, Agriculture & Food Systems Agronomy Team every month during the growing season and will include topics pertinent to agronomic crop production. The subscription is free. 

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