Hello, Harford County! July and August kicks off the farm fair season for most Marylanders. Here in Harford County, our fair traditionally runs during the end of July. This year, the fair was scheduled for a full week rather than just a few days as it was in years past. This seemed to be a great format, and attendance seemed strong judging by my unofficial observations.

Highlights of the fair included tractor pulls, rides, and the first ever cowboy mounted shooting competition. And of course the farm fair wouldn’t be complete without the ever-popular 4-H and FFA projects, which include art, crafts, cakes, produce, agriculture commodities, and livestock. These young, highly enthusiastic future leaders work hard all year on their projects then show them off during the fair. The livestock showing events and 50th annual livestock auction drew plenty of attention this year, both during the sale and after. The main headline included the grand champion steer, raised and exhibited by sixteen year-old, April Troyer, of Monkton. As bidders battled it out, the price climbed and her steer ended up selling for $24 per pound,

University of

Maryland Extension

Harford County Office

P.O. Box 663

2335 Rock Spring Road

Forest Hill, MD 21050

(410) 638-3255

M—F 8:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

Extension.umd.edu/harford-county

facebook.com/HarfordAg

Andrew Kness

Ag Extension Educator

akness@umd.edu

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

bringing over $30,000 for the champion animal; a record for the auction. All together, the auction raised over $250,000 for 4-H and FFA. A job well done by exhibitors, buyers and everyone involved. We are thankful for the generous support we get in Harford County!

From the county fair, many exhibitors will look forward to showing at the Maryland State Fair from August 24—September 4. So come out and enjoy the fair and support our local 4-H and FFA students as they proudly show-off their hard-earned projects!

Until next time,

-Andy

Soluble salts in high

tunnels

2

Southern blight in

soybean

3

Moth trapping program 3

Horses and water 4

Farm leasing dos and

don’ts

5

Are vultures killing your

livestock?

6

Tissue sampling for

perennial fruit crops

6

Maryland State Fair 7

High Soluble Salts a Problem in Some High Tunnels

Over the years several high tunnel (HT) growers have complained to me about how after 4-5 years of growing various vegetables (although tomatoes were the most grown) in their high tunnel they are seeing poorer yields and ‘unthrifty plants’. This seems puzzling because they have put a great deal of compost in their HT and the soil looks great. The problem I think is high soluble salts in the soil which will damage overall plant fitness and yield. These excess soluble salts often come from fertilizers applied frequently without sufficient water to leach them through the soil. Besides synthetic fertilizers other soil amendments with high salt concentrations include manure and compost. The most common scenario that results from high soluble salt levels in the soil is plant drought stress as soil water is drawn away from plant roots to the high soluble salt regions in the soil. Root cells lose water resulting in wilted foliage and roots that are badly damaged.

However, another scenario that I think is happening a great deal more often in our high tunnels is when plant roots absorb the excess salts in the soil and are unable to metabolize them. The soluble salts enter the roots and are moved through the water conducting tubes to the leaves where the water evapotranspirates, gradually concentrating the salts to toxic levels. The consequence of this type of salt stress in plants is a myriad of problems such as: poor growth, thin canopy, excessive leaf drop, poor fruit set and poor yields with the next damage level up being brown or necrotic leaf edges especially on older leaves that can curl (Figure 1).

Some of the practices that can exacerbate the salt problem include: allowing the soil to become too dry for even a short time, frequent brief irrigations, short crop rotations, shallow or minimum tillage and little if any soil flooding. Some of our vegetable crops are

much more sensitive to high soluble salts than others. Crops such as green beans, onions and peas are most sensitive while cabbage, cucumbers, peppers and potatoes are a little salt tolerant and broccoli, squash and tomato are moderately salt tolerant. These differing sensitivities may be why if tomatoes are grown most often in the HT and then peppers or cucumbers are grown the soluble salt problem can ‘suddenly’ appear.

Some of the possible in-season remedies for high salts include stopping the use of all fertilizers until salt concentrations return to acceptable levels, having adequate drainage to help move salts out of the root zone and flushing the soil with as much water as possible for several days (water should be applied slowly so it seeps down into the soil and does not runoff). After the season it may be best to take the plastic off of the HT and allow rain and snow to move the salts out of the growing zone.

Dr. Jerry Brust, Vegetable IPM Specialist University of Maryland, College Park

Figure 1. Soluble salt damage to peppers in a high tunnel. Photo: Jerry Brust, University of Maryland.

Horticulture Twilight Meeting & Tour This educational meeting will give fruit and vegetable producers a look at several of the ongoing projects at the research facility located in Washington County, as well as the opportunity to interact with our researchers and Extension specialists. Tour topics include: bee monitoring project; pumpkin disease and insect update; spotted wing drosophila research; fire blight management; Maryland apple tree selections project; and trellis apples update. Thanks to funding from the Maryland State Horticultural Society, the program and refreshments are free. Please register online by August 14 or contact Bryan Butler at (410) 386-2760.

August 17 5-8:00 p.m. Western MD Research & Education Center Keedeysville, MD

University of Maryland Moth Trapping Program

Last week I received a call regarding soybeans with plants dying in small groups or patches. The area where the symptoms were observed was a section of the field with heavier soils that does not drain well. These soybeans were infected by Southern blight caused by the soilborne fungus Sclerotium rolfsii. This is not the same as the white mold pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, although it is similar in many ways.

Southern blight has a very large host range, with over 200 known hosts. All soybean cultivars are susceptible to the disease. The fungus overwinters in the soil as small, hard, recalcitrant microsclerotia. When conditions are wet and hot the fungus can infect soybeans, resulting in a wilt or blight. Leaves generally turn brown and a lesion at the soil line may be observed. A white mat of fungal growth on or above this lesion is very characteristic for the disease, and often fungal growth can be observed on nearby residue. Small, yellow/red/brown “bb’s” may be observed on the stem. These are the microsclerotia, which will overwinter in the soil after harvest. Soybeans are susceptible from emergence through pod fill, but typically is only a concern when infections occur during the vegetative stages of growth.

Management is best achieved by rotating away from soybeans to corn or other grasses for at least a year, but two may be required if the outbreak is

severe. It is important to note that this disease can be a major issue in vegetables. Thus, do not plant tomatoes into fields infested with Southern blight and ensure soil and debris from infested fields are not transported to fields where tomatoes are to be produced.

At the request of multiple growers, University of Maryland Extension has re-established part of its moth trapping and monitoring program. Thanks to cooperation with growers, we have established two trapping sites in Westminster, MD and one in Jarrettsville, MD. We will be monitoring flights of corn earworm (CEW), fall armyworm (FAW), and western bean cutworm (WBC). Trap counts will be posted every 2-7 days (depending on the time of year) to www.twitter.com/MDMothCount (please note that you do not need a Twitter account to view the data). You can also get the latest counts by calling the Carroll County Extension Office, (410) 386-2760.

The purpose of the trapping program is to alert growers of when pest numbers reach threshold so that insecticide applications can be better timed for non-Bt corn. When counts are below threshold, sprays may not be necessary. As a result of better timed and fewer applications, growers can save money and reduce the chance of CEW and FAW building resistance to certain insecticides. You can also get a feel for counts in nearby locations by following the University of Delaware and Penn State Trapping Program.

Southern Blight in Soybeans Dr. Nathan Kleczewski, Extension Field Crops Pathologist

University of Delaware

Southern blight on soybean. Photo: Nathan Kleczewski, University of Delaware.

A. Adult corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) and, B. Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Robert J. Bauernfeind, Kansas State University, Bugwood.org. C. Adult western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta) Adam Sisson, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

A B C

Horses and Water

Clean, fresh, palatable water should be available to the horse at all times. A mature, idle horse (1100 lbs.) will require between 10 and 12 gallons of water per day, depending on environmental and/or physiological conditions.

Factors that change water consumption include: pregnancy, lactation, work, profuse sweating, environmental temperature.

Pregnant mares require about 10 percent more water than nonpregnant mares. Lactating mares require 50 to 70 percent additional water to replace the water used in milk production. The water requirement for horses subjected to hard work will double due to water lost through sweat and respiration. Increases in ambient temperature will also cause the horse's water requirement to double.

Before and during prolonged exercise, horses should be encouraged to consume as much water as possible to prevent dehydration. Following exercise, horses should be cooled down before drinking or have free access to water. Water consumed in large amounts by a hot horse after exercise can lead to colic, laminitis, or founder.

Automatic horse water bowls are useful because they provide a constant supply of water and decrease labor costs. Frequent cleaning of water buckets prevents horses from ingesting anything that may have fallen into them, such

as feces. Cleaning also prevents algae or bacteria buildup on the walls of the bucket. Water temperature should range between 45° to 65ºF (7° to 18ºC), because horses will be reluctant to drink water that is too hot or too cold. In the winter, outside water should be checked regularly to make sure that it is not frozen. If horses are housed in box stalls, small water heaters may be used to prevent water from freezing.

New Publication: Equine Lease Agreements

Ashley Griffin, University of Kentucky eXtension.org

Offering a horse for lease can be a good option for an owner who is unable to ride or care for their horse due to physical, time, or financial constraints but still wishes to maintain ownership. A lease can be an alternative to selling the horse, a way to cut maintenance costs, or an avenue to ensure the horse remains in work. While some verbal contracts are considered binding in Maryland, getting the agreement in writing is a good idea. A well-written lease can protect the owner (also called the lessor) and the lessee (the person leasing the horse) from liability and ensure both parties understand their rights and responsibilities. An equine lease can take many forms, depending on how the lease agreement is constructed. Consider the following items when preparing or reviewing a written lease agreement. The fact sheet publication can be found online or hard-copies may be obtained from the Extension Office.

A good farm lease clearly delineates responsibilities and prevents conflict by anticipating the future needs of both parties. Here is a rundown of some farm lease dos and don’ts:

Do seek legal advice before signing a farm lease. Although it is possible for parties to create their own lease, it is not advisable. Most attorneys are experienced at writing and defending leases and can help draft or negotiate terms to reduce legal disputes. It is always going to be cheaper to hire a lawyer to draft a lease than paying a lawyer to go to court to fight about a lease. To find an experienced agricultural attorney check out the Agriculture Section of the Maryland State Bar Association’s Legal Services Directory, available on the ALEI website.

Do communicate with the other party about your long-term goals for the farm and include provisions related to those goals in the lease. While landowners and farmers will have different priorities when leasing, most parties share a desire to enhance the quality of the land while allowing for maximum profitability. If a landowner wants to restrict certain farming practices such as tillage or the application of certain nutrients, those restrictions should be in a lease. One strategy to encourage communication is to agree in the lease to meet (annually for example) to discuss soil test results and conservation practices/planning. If a landowner wants the right to come onto the property to inspect and/or take samples, he or she should clearly preserve that right in a lease. If conservation practices are installed, the maintenance of those practices should be accounted for in the lease.

Do have a definite rental term and a mutually beneficial rental rate. Landowners should consider terms other than year-to-year and whether a longer lease term will motivate a farmer to use better farming practices. Choosing the type of leasing arrangement and rental rate can be a challenging part of the leasing process. Both parties should carefully contemplate their options for choosing the right rate; a good source of information is the University of Maryland’s Grain Marketing website (extension.umd.edu/grainmarketing).

Do consider the inevitable “what ifs.” A good lease should include reasonable terms to address late

rent payments such as a 5-day grace period or a late rent penalty. The section of the lease which deals with breach should also be clear and allow parties an opportunity to give notice and remedy the issue prior to filing an action in court. Another important “what if” to address in a lease is insurance. Landowners and tenants will want to have insurance policies in place to protect the permanent assets, personal property/equipment, and crops. An insurance provision will ensure that both parties have adequate coverage in place.

Do have good termination and renewal sections in the lease. Termination and renewal are often sources of conflict for parties to a farm lease and should be considered from both perspectives. Farmers need to fully understand a landowner’s right to terminate, for example, before they plant a crop. A Maryland farmer with a lease that has a definite term or end date who plants a crop that won’t be harvested until after the lease end date will have very few legal rights to that crop if the lease is properly terminated.

Don’t sign a lease you don’t understand. There is no need for a lease to contain legal jargon or complex terms. A good attorney can interpret and explain any terms that you don’t understand but that advice needs to be sought before signing.

Don’t expect the legal system to help you in the leasing process. There is very little actual law pertaining to leases and little the judicial system can do for parties without a lease or with a poor lease. Both parties need to work with legal counsel and with each other to create a lease that works for their individual situations. Further, agreements outside of a lease are typically inadmissible in court and should not be relied upon to strengthen a leasing arrangement.

Don’t be afraid to enter into a lease. Although historically many farming deals were sealed with a handshake, leasing, like many other facets of farming, has evolved. Farmers and landowners need to think of a lease as a tool to establish their goals, protect their interests, and preserve their right to make a profit.

For more information on leasing including a leasing guide with form leases, videos, and more, go to ALEI’s website (www.umaglaw.org).

Farm Leasing Dos and Don’ts Sarah Everhart, Legal Specialist

University of Maryland, Francis King Carney School of Law Reposted from University of Maryland Agriculture Law Education Initiative Blog

Now is the time to tissue sample for most perennial fruit crops. Nutrient recommendations for perennial fruit crops are based primarily on tissue analysis. The recommendations given will depend upon the production stage or age category; those being: bio-renovation, pre-plant, non-bearing, or bearing. Leaves should be collected by “blocks.” A block is composed of plantings that are of the same age, species, and variety. It is also best to remember to collect leaves from many plants throughout the block you are sampling.

When you have collected tissues, place them in a

labeled paper bag and let them air dry for 1-2 days before shipping. If you plan to use Agri Analysis, they prefer to receive fresh tissue samples. Typically, the same lab that analyzed your soil samples can also analyze the tissue samples. Just remember there is a separate submission form on the lab website.

Please visit http://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_docs/programs/viticulture/SampleCollectionPerennialFruitCrops.pdf to learn more on how and when to appropriately collect tissue samples for various perennial fruit crops.

There are two species of vultures here in Maryland, the turkey vulture and the black vulture. While the turkey vulture ranges across the entire US, Maryland is almost the northern extent of the black vulture’s range. Both vulture species’ are highly specialized for feeding on carrion (dead animals), including their characteristic bald head, which evolved so that the birds stick their heads into corpses without getting meat stuck in their feathers where it would rot and cause disease. Vultures are easy to distinguish up close by the color of their heads, black vultures have black heads, while turkey vultures are a bright red. In flight, the turkey vulture’s wings are darker only in the front, with the larger flight feathers being white. Black vultures wings are mostly black, with white only at the wingtips.

Vultures are attracted to pastures where calving is occurring, and frequently will feed on afterbirth, droppings, and dead calves. Black vultures can also recognize and take advantage of sick or weak animals, including newborn calves, piglets, or lambs, injuring and even killing them. If you’ve had problems with vultures in the past, or you’re worried about vultures, the first step you should take is modifying your farm habitat to make it less attractive.

Remove dead livestock and other food sources, and roosting trees

Exclude them from calving, pigging, or lambing barns with screens or nets.

Install rolling bars, electric tracks, or bird spikes on

building perches. Spikes must be short, sharp, tightly spaced, and resistant to bending.

Hang effigies (dead or fake vultures) in prominent high visibility areas.

Laser dissuaders and artificial vulture effigies are available for loan from the USDA wildlife services office in Annapolis. If none of these are effective for you, then you can apply for a Migratory Bird Depredation Permit. Because vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, a permit is required to kill them. The permitting process can be slow, but permits are not difficult to acquire, and once you are permitted, renewing is easy.

To apply for a permit, fill out the US Fish and Wildlife’s Permit Application Form, and send it to Raymond McClain at USFW. Raymond will review your application, and return it with an attached “permit review” form. You will then mail your application and permit review and fee to: Migratory Bird Permit Office P.O. Box 779 Hadley, MA 01035. Once they finalize your permit you will be allowed to kill problem vultures, typically a percentage of the flock, or any you see harassing your animals. The process can take 2-3 months, which is typically too long to address immediate concerns, but the permit is good for a year, and renewal process is simple.

Contact Ray McClain about permitting, or with any questions or concerns at (877) 463-6497 or at Raymond.E.McClain@APHIS.USDA.gov

Are Vultures Killing Your Livestock?

Tissue Sampling for Perennial Fruit Crops Erika Taylor, Nutrient Management Advisor

University of Maryland Extension, Baltimore County | etaylor3@umd.edu

Peter Coffey, Extension Educator University of Maryland Extension, Carroll County

Food For Profit Course

akness@umd.edu Extension.umd.edu/Harford-county

Maryland State Fair

Andrew Kness

Faculty Extension Educator

Agriculture and

Natural Resources

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.

The 136th MY Maryland State Fair will be unFAIRgettable. The fun begins with Preview/Ridemania night on Thursday, August 24. The Midway and some livestock shows will be open on Thursday, August 24. Maryland State Fair buildings, barns, thoroughbred racing, Midway rides, games and food and more will open on Friday, August 25. Look for the countdown clock on

www.marylandstatefair.com. #MYMDSTATEFAIR.

Celebrating its 136th year, the unFAIRgettable MY Maryland State Fair recognizes the enduring appeal of Maryland’s citizens, students and 4-H and FFA members to share their talents and compete for ribbons, prizes and bragging rights. The Fair’s buildings, barns and stages provide space for thousands of fairgoers to appreciate the exhibits, learn from the exhibitors, and consider entering a future fair.

“Thousands of talented individuals and fun-loving fairgoers from our great state’s cities, towns, farms, mountains and shores make up MY Maryland State Fair,” said Maryland State Fair General Manager Andy Cashman. “Our goal is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable and educational experiences to help make memories for a lifetime.”

The unFAIRgettable 136th MY Maryland State Fair will also feature the thrills and chills, sights, sounds and aromas of numerous Midway and Kidde Land rides, games and food stands provided by Deggeller Attractions. For those with a more local palate, the Maryland Foods Pavilion and Dairy Bar will showcase fresh from the farm and Chesapeake Bay food and drinks.

Fairgoers may also watch and wager in the Grandstand on live Thoroughbred horse races as they round the 5/8 mile Timonium track, Friday, August, 25 through Sunday, August 27 and Friday, September 1 through Labor Day Monday, September 4. Post Time is 1 PM. Admission to the racetrack is included in the fair’s admission price. Or, bet on simulcast races in the OTB Center through the run of the Fair.

facebook.com/HarfordAg

Back-issues of this publication can be found at: https://extension.umd.edu/news/newsletters/657

August 24—Sept. 4 Maryland State Fairgrounds Timonium, MD

Maryland State Fair Press Release

The Food for Profit workshop is a 6 1/2 hour overview of how to start and successfully operate a small food product business. Conducting a feasibility study to see if yours is a good business idea, performing marketing research, and drafting a business plan are a few of the concrete tools offered in this class. In addition, a DHMH sanitarian will explain in detail, what is needed to comply with the regulations to create safe, legal food products in Maryland. By attending this class, you can learn how to evaluate the opportunities on paper before you look for funding or take action, saving money and time. Cost is $45. Register online or by contacting Shauna Henley (410) 887-8090.

November 7 9-4:30 p.m.

Baltimore County Extension Office

Cockeysville, MD

MDA Pesticide Container Recycling Collection— September 1, 9—3 p.m.

Scarboro Landfill, 3241 Scarboro Road, Harford County. Call (410) 841-5710, or click here for rules and instructions.

Dates to remember

4 August—Evening tomato pressure canning workshop 6-10 PM,

Harford County Extension office.

5-12 August – Howard County Fair – 2210 Fairgrounds Rd. West

Friendship, MD 21794.

10 August – CMREC Field Crops Twilight, Barbecue, & Ice Cream

Social – 4-9PM, 2005 Largo Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774. –

Free with registration - RSVP to Dave Myers at myersrd@umd.edu

or (410) 222-3906.

12 August– Ag Night at Ripken Stadium. 6:05 PM first pitch with

fireworks after the game. Call the Harford County Extension office

(410) 638-3255 for tickets ($8 kids, $15 adults).

12 August - Food Preservation: What to do with all of your

tomatoes! 10 AM – 12 PM, University of MD Extension, 1114

Shawan Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030. https://uh17.eventbrite.com/

17 August – WMREC Horticultural Crops Twilight Meeting. See

inside for details.

18 August– Harford County Farm Bureau picnic, 6 PM, Clear

Meadow Farm, White Hall, MD.

19 August – Heirloom Tomato Festival – Carroll County

Agricultural Center, 700 Agriculture Drive, Westminster MD 21157.

Call Carroll County Extension at (410) 386-2760 for more details.

22 August - MDA Pesticide Container Recycling Collection – 9 AM

to 3 PM, Frederick County Landfill. Call 410-841-5710, or click here

for rules and instructions.

23 August - Women in Agriculture Webinar “Starting a Specialty

Food Business in Maryland,” 12:00 p.m. wiawebinars.eventbrite.com

27 August – Maryland Angus Breeders Show – 222 York Rd.,

Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093 marylandangus.org or (301) 639-

6495.

24 August – September 4- Maryland State Fair.