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Your Monthly News & Updates
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Dear Farmer,
Your input to a short, 5-question survey on the drought conditions in Maine would really be appreciated. Please respond to the survey by Friday, September 16, 2016.
Thank You,
Richard J. Brzozowski, Food System Program Administrator
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Selling to the University of Maine
The University of Maine in partnership with Sodexo will be holding two informational sessions in early November for farmers and food processors on how to sell their products to the University of Maine System. This event will provide a walk-through of the process of selling to Sodexo and understanding its supply chain, as well as networking opportunities.
More details coming soon.
Interested in Selling to Sodexo.
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USDA Inspected Slaughter Facility Open for Business in Gardiner
Central Maine Meats is committed to enhancing the viability of the Maine farming community. "We want to make the process of bringing products to market as simple as possible, as well as cost effective," according to Joel D. Davis, Managing Partner. "Just schedule a time to drop off your animals at our facility and we'll do the rest," commented Davis. "Best of all we are a USDA processing facility. That means you can sell or ship your product processed in Gardiner to anywhere in the United States."
We also buy animals at the current weekly USDA reported auction prices, providing a significant transportation savings. For example follow
this link and click on "New Holland, PA" to see current pricing.
We offer both traditional and advanced cuts and processing from Primal Cuts to Steak, Sausages, and Hamburg. All products (pork, beef, lamb) are cut, processed, vacuum packed and boxed to your specifications. We also offer flash freeze technology for all products, and advanced value added production such as smoking and drying meats. We have received our Animal Welfare approved processor following Temple Grandin protocols.
We are a USDA approved slaughter and processing facility.
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Hours of Operation:
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Give us a call at:
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I-295 Exit 94, Rt. 201
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Monday - Friday
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(207) 588-5305
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Gardiner, ME 04345
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7:00 am - 3:30 pm
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to schedule a time for your livestock.
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Maintaining Your Horse Pasture
Maintaining Your Horse Pastures is a half-day seminar for
horse owners and caretakers to learn about pasture management and sacrifice areas on Saturday, September 17 at 9 am at the J. F. Witter Teaching and Research Center, University of Maine in Orono.
Topics include i
mproving the nutritional quality of horse pastures, innovative grazing strategies, weed control, managing heavy use areas, preventing soil erosion, and preventing water pollution. Speakers will include University faculty from the Northeast United States with active programs in equine pasture management. The seminar is free but a $5 donation per person is suggested.
This seminar is sponsored by the J. F. Witter Teaching and Research Center, University of Maine and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
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Free Disposal of Banned, Unusable Pesticides Available to Maine Residents
This October, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Board of
Pesticides Control (BPC) and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will help Mainers dispose of banned or unusable
pesticides. The Maine Obsolete
Pesticides Collection Program is a free annual program for homeowners, family-owned farms and greenhouses. The program has collected almost 100 tons of
pesticides since its inception.
Collections will occur at sites in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta and Portland. Participants must register by
September 23, 2016
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"Homeowners and farmers inadvertently store banned pesticides or pesticides that have become unusable," said Whitcomb. "They can be found in basements, garages, barns, and recently purchased homes. The Maine Obsolete Pesticides Collection Program helps prevent unwanted pesticides from being thrown in the trash or poured down the drain, potentially contaminating the land or drinking water."
"Proper disposal of pesticides gives everyone the opportunity to make a positive impact on our environment and public health at no cost to Maine residents," said Maine DEP Commissioner Paul Mercer. "The collection events are held at several locations across the State, and registering is free and easy."
The collected chemicals go to out-of-state disposal facilities licensed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency where they are incinerated or reprocessed.
Registration by
September 23, 2016, is mandatory-drop-ins are not permitted.
To register, get details, and learn important information about the temporary storage and transportation of obsolete pesticides, go to the BPC Web site at http://www.thinkfirstspraylast.org, or call 207-287-2731.
The Maine Obsolete Pesticides Collection Program, jointly sponsored by the BPC and DEP, and paid for entirely through pesticide product registration fees, has kept more than 97 tons of pesticides out of the waste stream since its start in 1982.
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Deadline Nears for Forage Risk Management Programs in Maine
The sales closing dates for 3 Federal risk management programs is approaching, programs include:
1. Forage Production Crop Insurance.
September 30, 2016 is the final date to purchase Forage Production Crop Insurance for forage seeded in the spring of 2016. Insurance protects against a decline in your Average Production History (APH) yield due to adverse weather conditions including hail, frost, freeze, wind, drought, and excess precipitation; wildlife damage; insect damage and plant disease, except for insufficient or improper application of control measures.
2. Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Pilot Crop Insurance.
November 15, 2016 is the final date to purchase this crop insurance for the 2017 insurance year. This program is a new crop insurance option for Maine producers, providing protection of pasture, hay, and hayland against a single peril, drought. No historical production records are required. Losses are determined by comparing reported precipitation over a 2-month insured period to 50 years of historical rainfall data. Both reported and historical rainfall data are from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center (NOAA CPC).
3.
Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance (NAP) for Hay Crops. September 30, 2016 is the final date to purchase the NAP program for hay. This program protects your APH from natural disasters that results in lower yields or quality. Coverage level options include the catastrophic level and up to 50-65% of your APH at 100% of the average market price.
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Items of Interest
- Spotted Wing Drosophila update and management information available. This pest affects strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Their numbers are on the rise!
- Corn Ear Worm Threat is low this week. Updates posted on the website.
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As of July 29, no potato late blight has been reported anywhere within the state of Maine. For the latest information on potato late blight, please call the hotline at (207) 760-9ipm (760-9476) or 1-888-use-umce (1-888-873-8623).
- Maine Hay Directory - You can list hay that you have for sale or you can look for hay to buy. Listings are free.
- Two UMaine Extension Positions - Livestock Educator position has been re-advertised. Salary range is $58,000 - $70,000 commensurate with education and experience for this full time position housed in Orono. Also, a Maine Food and Agriculture Center Coordinator/Professional with salary range from $13,000 to $15,500 for this part time (20 hour/week) position to be housed in Orono.
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Featured Resources
Websites:
Beginner's Guide to Local Meat Processing Want to learn more about meat processing but aren't sure where to start? Processing is an essential link in local meat supply chains, but it's a complicated business. If you're a livestock producer - or work with producers - and have questions or concerns about processing, you'll benefit from NMPAN's (Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network by eXtension.org) "Beginner's Guide to Local Meat Processing" on the basics. And if you're a processor already, you can use the short fact sheets below to educate others about your business.
Raising Ducks for Egg Production - September 15th at 3 pm from eXtension.org Like chickens, ducks have been bred for either meat or egg production. While most ducks are raised for meat, there is increased interest in the production of duck eggs. Dr. Brigid McCrea from Delaware State University will discuss raising ducks for egg production.This webinar will be archived for viewing at a later time.
Climate Change and It's Affect on Animal Agriculture - September 27th at 1 pm from eXtension.org Participate in this webinar to understand the current and potential effects that climate change will have on livestock farmers across the country. The emphasis of this webinar will be placed on dairy, beef, small ruminants, and horses and the impacts that extreme heat, cold snaps, weather shifts, droughts, and excessive rain will have on the animal's health and diet. This webinar will be archived for viewing at a later time.
Visit the UMaine Cooperative Extension online
Publications Catalog
for agriculture information, such as:
- Growing Fruit Trees in Maine # 2422 Designed to provide the home orchardist with the knowledge to successfully grow fruit trees under Maine conditions, this booklet describes cultural practices for apple, pear, peach, cherry, plum, and apricot trees. Covers varieties adapted to Maine, rootstocks, planting, early care, fertilization, pollination, pruning, lack of fruitfulness, pests and diseases, and preparation for winter. Developed by Professor of Pomology Renae Moran and Associate Scientist Glen Koehler; includes 30 color photos that enhance text descriptions. 32 pages. © 2008 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. On Sale $5.00 (regular price $9.50)
- Growing Peaches in Maine # 2068 Peaches are a highly desired fruit in Maine. Learn what varieties are recommended, when and where to plant, common diseases, pruning techniques and more! Color photos included. 6 pages. © 2014 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free or buy a color copy $1.00.
- Maine Food Systems Poster #9108 Celebrate farming in Maine with a 24 x 36 color poster illustrated by Michael Mardosa, University of Maine. University of Maine Cooperative Extension is a significant part of the food system in Maine from farm to fork, that includes policy, research, production, processing, commerce, nutrition, and food safety and security.Great for educational use and in the classroom! Learn more about the Maine Food System. 24 x 36 inches. © 2012, 2014 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. On Sale $5.00 (regular price $10.00)
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Upcoming Events
- September 10 Northern Aroostook Rural Living Day, Aroostook Farm Museum, Houlton
- September 11 - 12 New England Made Giftware and Specialty Food Show, Sturbridge, MA. For folks thinking about getting into the wholesale end of business.
- September 14 Hops Twilight Meeting from 5 pm to 7:30 pm at the Hops Yard in Gorham. Sponsored by the UMaine Extension and the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association.
- September 17 Maintaining Your Horse Pasture, 9 am to noon, J. F. Witter Teaching and Research Center, Old Town.
- September 17 Pasture Walk 2 pm to 4 pm at Fred Cookson's Farm, Shaw Road, Dover Foxcroft. Contact Diane Schivera at diane@mofga.org for more information.
- September 20 More Than Honey the movie at 7 pm at the Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft. Tickets $8.
- September 23 Deadline to sign up for Pesticide Disposal through thinkfirstspraylast.org
- September 23 - 25 Common Ground Fair, Unity. mofga.org
- September 28 - 29 Tentative schedule for presentations by Extension Livestock Educator Candidates in Orono. Contact Donna Coffin for specific times.
- October 6 Buying Meat from Local Farmers 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm Piscataquis County Extension Office, Dover Foxcroft. Sign up through Penquis Valley Adult Education Collaborative.
- October 12 Buying Meat from Local Farmers 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm NOKOMIS High School, Newport. Sign up through RSU19 Adult Ed.
- October 22, 2016 - Sheep and Goat Parasitology Seminar as well as updates on Scrapie and other contagious diseases. Details TBA.
- October 28 Piscataquis Extension Annual Meeting 6 pm to 8:30 pm, Dover Foxcroft Congregational Church in Dover-Foxcroft. Matt Scott will talk about "Wild Pollinators and Honey Bees: Their Importance to Garden and Farm Crops." Supper by Leaves and Blooms Greenhouse with local products. For tickets contact amanda.miles@maine.edu at the Piscataquis County Extension Office.
- November 3 Scaling Up - A Walk Through Sodexo's Maine Course Initiative...Selling to Sodexo 101 Understanding Our Supply Chain and Networking Opportunities, Wells Commons, UMaine Campus, Orono. More details later.
- November 5 Preconditioned Feeder Calf Sale at 11 am sponsored by the Maine Beef Producers Association at Dick Brown's facility in Richmond.
- November 9 Buying Meat from Local Farmers 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Bucksport High School. Sign up through RSU 25 Adult Ed.
- November 19 - 20 Harvest Festival, Cross Center, Bangor
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Newsletter Subscription Information
The Central Maine Farming Newsletter (CMFN), now received by over 775 readers, has been offered as an educational resource by University of Maine Cooperative Extension for over 10 years. As of January 1, 2015, the CMFN will be transitioning to electronic-only delivery. There will still be
three
ways to receive the CMFN from your local UMaine Extension:
1) Central Maine Farming Newsletter remains available online for free! You can sign up to receive the newsletter through your email or view the archived issues anytime at http://bit.ly/PPfarming If you currently do not have an email, you can get one for free from several email hosts. If you do not have a computer, community libraries have computers for you to use to access information on the Internet and to view your email.
2) Those with no email can opt to pay an annual subscription to receive the newsletters monthly for $15/year.
3) A third option is to come into the Piscataquis, Penobscot or Waldo County Extension Office and pick up a free printed copy of the newsletter.
We appreciate our readers referring others to the newsletter, and sharing it with their family and friends.
Thank you for your continued support of the CMFN, providing valuable agricultural information from Extension for folks in the central Maine area since 2003.
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Mission
University of Maine Cooperative Extension is the major educational outreach program of the University of Maine with offices statewide. UMaine Extension provides Maine people with research-based educational programs to help them live fuller, more productive lives.
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Quick Links
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Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
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Local Weather Anytime
Many farming activities are driven by the weather. Our local National Weather Service in Caribou has meteorologists on staff 24 hours a day. They are willing to talk with you about rain predictions for your town. Give them a call at 492-0180. Or check out their online detailed maps at
http://www.weather.gov/car/.
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Contributors
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
Rick Kersbergen, Extension Educator
Goal
The goal of the Central Maine Farming Newsletter is to provide timely information on the production and marketing of crops and livestock grown in central Maine.
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he University of Maine does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, 207.581.1226.
Photos: Donna Coffin unless indicated otherwise.
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Open Monday - Friday
8 am to 4:30 pm
307 Maine Ave. Bangor, ME 04401 207-942-7396 or 800-287-1485
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Open Monday, Thursday, Friday
8 am to 4:30 pm,
Open By-chance on Wednesday
, Closed Tuesday
165 East Main St. Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207-564-3301 or 800-287-1491
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Open Monday - Friday
8 am to 4:30 pm
992 Waterville Road, Waldo, ME 04915-3117 Phone: 207.342.5971 or 800.287.1426 (in Maine)
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