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BMP ’ s used by Agriculture Producers. Jessica Flores UME Ag & Natural Resources Educator November 16, 2015. Landscape of Worcester County. The county covers approximately 303,920 land acres. 71.8% of the land in Worcester County is currently zoned for agriculture.
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BMP’s used by Agriculture Producers Jessica Flores UME Ag & Natural Resources Educator November 16, 2015
Landscape of Worcester County • The county covers approximately 303,920 land acres. • 71.8% of the land in Worcester County is currently zoned for agriculture. • Approximately 374 farm businesses encompass 99,304 acres of farmland • Average farm size of 266 acres
Farming of Worcester County IN MARYLAND: • # 2 county in broiler production ($13,248,055,000 annually) • # 4 county for ag production ($199,265,000 annually) • # 5 for corn production ($29,448,000 annually)
Best Management Practices • BMP’s • Include many practices • Cover Crops - HU pads • Precision Agriculture - Fencing • Nutrient Management - Manure Storage • No-till • Buffer strips
Maryland Cover Crop Program The Cover Crop Program is administered by the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program and funded by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund.
Planted after corn, soybeans, sorghum, tobacco or vegetables are harvested • Barley, canola, rapeseed, kale, rye, ryegrass, spring oats, triticale, forage radish and wheat may be used • Normally planted by beginning of November
Winterkill Cover Crops • Winterkill low-residue cover crops are being investigated for inclusion in no-till spring vegetable systems • November 2013, Field Day at UMD CMREC in Clarksville highlighted research • Radish • Phacelia • Mixtures of species
Precision Agriculture • Used to improve the agronomic, environmental and economical management of crop production in accordance with in-field variability • Based on • Precision soil sampling • Variable rate nutrient application • Recordkeeping/yield monitoring • Ensure most efficient production is achieved
Mid-Atlantic Precision Ag Day • UME field day • Features technology and equipment focused on precision ag • Field day that demonstrates equipment being used.
Continuing Education • MDA & College of AGNR co-sponsor many trainings and field days throughout the state • Nutrient Management • Pesticide Recertification • Agronomy Day • Field Days