Your monthly news & updates
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News and events for the Maine Beef Producers from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Maine Beef Producers Association and other agricultural organizations in Maine.
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For those of you who missed the Cattlemen's College, please take 5 minutes to rate the beef topics you are interested in going to a program or reading about in a newsletter. You can also add other topics not listed.
Click here for the survey.
Thanks in advance for your help. Donna & Colt
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What's New?
- Caribou Native Named Dean of UMaine Extension
- MBPA Meeting at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show
- Public Meeting on Agriculture Needs - Calling All Farmers
- 2019 Ag Leadership Kickoff
- Maine Agricultural Trades Show - Jan. 15 to 17
- Maine Agriculture Development Grant Proposals
- Youth in Animal Agriculture: Bring Home the Blue-Not the Flu
- National Beef Prices
- UMaine Extension Offers Free Recordkeeping Consulations
- Items of Interest
- Featured Resources
- Upcoming Events
- Newsletter Subscription Information
- Mission and Quick Links
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Caribou, Maine native Hannah Carter has been named dean of University of Maine Cooperative Extension, effective May 1.
Carter is an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida (UF), which is part of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). She also directs UF’s Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources, and is interim director of the UF/IFAS Center for Leadership.
Carter received her Ph.D. and master’s degree in agricultural education and communication, specializing in agricultural leadership and Extension education, from the University of Florida, and has been a member of the UF community since 1997. She is a graduate of the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
“For more than a decade, Dr. Carter has been involved in leadership development programming on state and national levels, particularly as it pertains to agriculture and Cooperative Extension,” says Jeffrey Hecker, UMaine executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. “She also knows UMaine Extension and the difference it can make — from 4-H, the most successful out-of-school youth education program in Maine, to the integrated pest management program that supports the state’s agriculture industries. The fact that, following an extensive national search, the candidate who rose to the top of the applicant pool has deep roots in Maine is the icing on the cake. We are thrilled that Hannah will return to her home state to lead the university’s most extensive community outreach enterprise.”
Photo: UMaine
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Maine Beef Producers Association Program at the Ag Trades Show
Oxford Room
(first floor - to the right)
1:00 pm – Food Safety and FSMA Considerations for producers - Clint Giustra, Former USDA Meat Inspector
1:45 pm - What
to expect from your processor.
How to tell when beef cattle are finished, and what to expect in turns of yield from different types of animals.Also, feeding cull cows to improve value. - Dr. Colt Knight, UMaine Extension Livestock Specialist
2:30 pm - Virtual Farm Tour - Steve Sinisi, Old Crow Farm, Durham.
3 pm MBPA Annual Meeting
- Beef Awards Presentation
- Nominations for Board of Directors
- Old Business
- New Business
- Scholarships
4 pm MBPA Board Meeting
Membership renewal.
It is time to renew your membership. The MBPA is an active group of about 50 producers which has had a busy 2018 with a cattle and pen sale at NELE, youth involvement through Calves for Kids and our new scholarship for higher education, Cattlemen’s College, and the club calf sale at Fryeburg, to name some of our programs. We need your continued support. Send $35 to MBPA c/o Sally Caverly, Treasurer, 1457 River Rd, Clinton,ME.
Scholarship.
We will be introducing and giving out applications for the MBPA Scholarship for
higher Education at our annual meeting at the trade show. This scholarship of $500 will be awarded to deserving students who are
connected to the MBPA.
QuickBooks Pro.
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering a free hands on workshop for members of the MBPA on February 28 in Bangor. For more information contact pamela.stpeter@
maine.edu
.
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Public Meetings on Agriculture Needs
Calling All Farmers
We need your knowledge and ideas to shape the future of agriculture in Maine!
How can state government and other service and education providers better support YOU?
Please help us develop an assessment of farmer needs and priorities to inform program development, state government, and service and education providers supporting farmers and Maine's agricultural economy.
Attend an upcoming work session to share your thoughts about what you need to strengthen your farm business and grow Maine agriculture.
WHEN & WHERE
At the following Cooperative Extension Offices
*PRESQUE ISLE, Jan 8, 10am-12pm (Snow Date Jan 15, 10am-12pm), 57 Houlton Rd.
*WALDOBORO, Jan 10, 10am-12pm (Snow Date Jan 30, 10am-12pm), 377 Manktown Rd.
Locally-sourced refreshments provided.
RSVP's are appreciated! to plan group sizes.
At the Agricultural Trades Show
Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Jan. 16, 5-6pm and Jan. 17, 10-11:30am, 76 Community Dr., Augusta
This effort is being coordinated by: AGCOM, CEI, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Farmland Trust, Maine Food Strategy, MOFGA, and Maine Sustainable Agriculture Society
Photo:Remsburg
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Free!
Thursday, January 17, 2019
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Please join the conversation! How do producers and service providers meet the needs in Maine for building and developing Agriculture Leadership capacity? This half-day session will begin building a plan for developing the capacity of producers and service providers to advocate for the needs of the Maine agricultural industry.
UMaine Extension Offers Free Record-Keeping Consults for Farmers
University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are continuing to provide free consults to Maine farmers through January 2019 on production and financial record-keeping.
Consults will be done by phone, email and video chat unless in-person assistance is needed.
Consults are free, confidential, and require only a participant’s time. For more information, to set up a consultation or request a reasonable accommodation, contact Calvert Schaefer at 443.340.4324,
calvert.schaefer@maine.edu
.
Photo: Cross
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Maine Agricultural Trades Show
January 15 - 17, 2019
Augusta Civic Center
The State of Maine Agricultural Trades Show takes place every January and serves as a source for agricultural resources and products. Producers and consumers alike visit this three day show to take stock of current programs, new technologies and to gather information on the agriculture industry.
The event is sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The Ag Trade Show provides promotional opportunities for businesses and organizations on the trade show floor, but also houses various lectures, certification courses and annual meetings throughout its duration. The event has activities geared towards promoting industry collaboration and progress.
The 2018 program has been included in statewide newspapers as an insert. Also, the whole program is available on the
GetRealMaine.com
website.
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The Division of Agricultural Resource Development at the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) has released its Request for Proposals for the 2019 Agricultural Development Grants.
This program provides grants to conduct market promotion, market research and development, value-added processing and new technology demonstration projects. Public agencies, private companies (such as farms and food producers), and non-profit organizations and institutions are eligible to apply. Proposals due by January 31, 2019. The grants are competitive, and matching funds (which can be in-kind) are required.
Each year, the DACF Commissioner determines priority issues for the grant program. This year’s priorities include projects that:
- assist farms in increasing sales to institutions
- improve sales to local buyers
- help farms diversify markets
- help Maine farms adapt to drought and other climate-related crop disturbances.
A new Maine law, “An Act to Expand the Local Foods Economy by Promoting Local Foods Procurement,” will create new opportunities for farmers and food producers seeking to expand their local and institutional markets. Agricultural Development Grants are one way producers may pursue such expansion.
For more information, contact:
Leigh Hallett, Director, Division of Agricultural Resource Development, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, at 207-215-7388 (cell) or by e-mail at
Leigh.Hallett@Maine.gov.
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Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in collaboration a number of partners, developed resources to teach youth involved in animal agriculture about zoonotic diseases and biosecurity. An engaging, interactive course for middle–high school aged youth, and a
new course for elementary aged youth
are meant to encourage showmanship and animal involvement while keeping both animals and humans safe and healthy. Additional free resources, including hands-on activity guides, are available on the website.
Raising and showing livestock help youth develop responsibility, learn good sportsmanship, and gain confidence. While raising and showing animals have an overall positive impact on youth and the community, there are many animal diseases that can be spread between people and animals (zoonotic diseases), especially when people have close contact with animals. Several animal-related disease outbreaks, such as influenza and
E. coli
, have been associated with fairs and resulted in severe illness in youth. Youth livestock projects can also present disease transmission risks to animals due to the commingling of various animals and animal species from different locations.
Understanding disease risks and preventive measures is critical to reduce the occurrence of zoonotic diseases. Awareness of these risks can help youth to understand the importance of disease prevention for themselves, their animals, and the public.
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National Beef Prices
USDA Ag Marketing Service publishes agriculture price for a number of commodities throughout the US. Here is the latest cattle dashboard graph showing the current, last year and three year average of live cattle.
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Scotland's high incidence of human E.coli 0157 infection maybe related to the prevalence of a subtype of E. Coli 0157 -PT21/28 that is associated with super-shedding in cattle (the passing of large volumes of bacteria in the feces). Source: New Food Magazine
Morocco Accepts U.S. Beef
- In 2017, the United States was the world’s third largest beef exporter, with global sales of beef and beef products valued at $7.3 billion. As of November 2018, U.S. exports of agricultural products to Morocco exceeded $512 million. Initial estimates indicate that Morocco would be an $80 million market for U.S. beef and beef products. Morocco had prohibited imports of U.S. beef. From AgClips.
Maine Hay Directory
-
is available to help farmers with hay to sell and farmers looking for hay to buy. Be cautious of hay scams.
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Webinar:
Understanding Financial Statements: Preparing Farmers for Uncertain Times
, Pam Schallhorn, University of Illinois Extension Community and Economic Development Educator - Free webinar January 24th, 2019 noon to 1 pm (CST). Harvest is over. Outside pressures on net farm incomes continue to mount. Uncertainty for farmers and their families as well as lenders may create challenges when the time comes to increase or renew credit lines for the 2019 crop year. This informational workshop discusses farm financials from a lender’s perspective.
Virtual Conference:
January 29-31
Women in Ag Programs for 21st Century Farms and Ranches
virtual conference noon to 4 pm (EST) for ag educators and service providers working on expanding and improving programs for women farmers and ranchers. $50 for access to all sessions plus downloads of supplemental resources and materials.
Videos:
Colby Local Food Documentary:
Features farms that provide food for the dining services at Colby. Cold Spring Ranch is featured as well as the dairy facility at Wolf's Neck.
Publications:
Visit UMaine Extension online Publications Catalog for agricultural publications such as:
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- January 15 to 17, 2019 Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Augusta Civic Center, Augusta. See their Facebook events page for updates from organizations.
- January 16, 2019 Maine Beef Producers Annual Meeting, 1 pm - Oxford Rm at the Ag Trades Show. Meet your Board of Directors and other producers. There will be educational presentations and a farm profile by Steve Sinisi of Old Crow Farm in Durham.
- January 17, 2019 noon to 3 pm Ag Leadership program at the Ag Trade Show, Augusta Civic Center. How to make your organization or association more effective.
- January 26, 2019 Southern New England Livestock Conference sponsored by Meatworks, Livestock Institute of Southern New England, 8 am to 4 pm Bristol County Agricultural High School, 135 Center St. Dighton, MA
- January 30 to Feb. 1st, 2019 National Cattle Industry Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana. Sponsored by NCBA.
- February 23 & 24, 2019 Butchery Workshop 9 am to 4 pm, KVCC, Hinckley. Fee $425 for hands-on workshop, $825 for hands-on workshop with side of pig. Instructor Sow Belly Butcher and the Butcher & the Baker.
- February 26, 2019 Advanced Hide Tanning. Pre-requisite: MOFGA's Hide Tanning Workshop or equivalent experience. 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. $100; ($75 MOFGA members).
- February 27 & 28, 2019 Seventh Biennial New England Agricultural Marketing Conference & Trade Show in Sturbridge, MA
- March 23, 2019 Grazing Farmers Conference, Hinkley School. More details to come.
- April 10 - 13, 2019 Maine Meat Cutting School, 9 am to 4 pm, Maple Lane Farm, Charleston. Fee $$275 (includes meals, handouts and knife.) Instructors Dr. Gregg Renfrow, Univ. of Kentucky Meat Specialist; Dr. Colt Knight, UMaine Extension Livestock Specialist; Dr. Robson Machado, UMaine Food Science Specialist. (Sold Out).
- May 17, 2019 NELE - Preconditioned Feeder Calf Auction and Beef Pen Sale, Maine Beef Producers Association, Windsor Fair Grounds. More details to come.
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Maine Beef Producers Association
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Join the Maine Beef Producers Association.
The Maine Beef Producers Association is accepting dues for the 2018 year. Annual dues are $35. For an extra $25 you can get a year subscription to County Folks. For more information on this organization and for membership application go to
http://www.mainebeefproducersassociation.com/forms.html
The Maine Beef Producers Association has a Facebook page. Like and follow to get the fastest information from Maine Beef Producers Association.
Facebook
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Newsletter Subscription Information
The Maine Beef Newsletter (MBN) is now received by over 680 readers, has been offered as an educational resource by University of Maine Cooperative Extension since 2011. As of January 1, 2015, the MBN transitioned to electronic-only delivery. There will still be four ways to receive the MBN from UMaine Extension:
1) Maine Beef 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. If you are interested in subscribing send a $15 check made out to UMaine Extension to Piscataquis County Cooperative Extension, 165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426.
3) A third option is to come into the Piscataquis or Penobscot County Extension Office and pick up a free printed copy of the newsletter.
4) Maine Beef Producers Association members who do not have an email on file will receive a printed copy of the newsletter as a benefit of their membership.
We appreciate our readers referring others to the newsletter, and sharing it with your family and friends.
Thank you for your continued support of the MBN, providing valuable agricultural information from Extension for beef producers and those interested in the beef industry in Maine since 2011.
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Mission
The 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.
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/.
Need Pesticide Credits
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Contributors
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
Colt Knight, Extension Specialist
Goal
The goal of the Maine Beef Newsletter is to provide timely information on the production and marketing of beef grown in central Maine.
The 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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Piscataquis County Office
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Maine Beef Producers Association
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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
Piscataquis County Office -
website
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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