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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What's New?
- MBPA Spring Feeder Cattle Sale
- MBPA Pen Sale at NELE
- National Beef Prices
- 2017 Census of Agriculture
- GPS Cows
- Beef Sustainability Facts and Myths
- Items of Interest *Featured Resources
- Upcoming Events *Newsletter Subscription Information
- Mission and Quick Links
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So far 75 animals; steers, and heifers, weaned and preconditioned, weighing 600-900 pounds have been commissioned to the sale. More expected with consignments being accepted until Friday before the auction.
We are also exploring the possibility of a live Facebook feed for remote bidding. More to come.
***Attention consignors: as in recent years, a $50/hd. consignment fee will be assessed, but this year since it is after April 15th.
Consignments will still be accepted up to the event, but a $50/hd. sale cost will be deducted prior to settlement.
For more information, contact: Peter Dusoe, Cell: 207-416-5441 or Home: 207-473-5441 or email: pbdusoe@roadrunner.com.
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The MBPA is offering the opportunity to display, market, and purchase quality breeding stock in a private treaty type format at this year's Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE) May 17-19. In addition to the annual feeder auction, this event, which is open to young bulls, heifers and cow/calf combos, will provide another sale option at NELE.
Display pens, located in a barn separate from the feeder sale barn, will be provided including bedding (sawdust) and water. Seller will be responsible for all care of the animals including providing feed/hay. All animals should be preconditioned as per the MBPA protocols. Compliance with interstate health requirements is the responsibility of the seller. Pens will be available on Thursday May 16th after 3 pm. Pricing and all negotiations with buyers is the sole responsibility of the seller. The MBPA reserves the right to screen cattle in advance, to assure high quality.
Cost to the seller is $50 per head (cow/calf count as one) and 2019 MBPA membership is required. Commitment to participate with payment in full must be received by April 15th by sending a check to the MBPA c/o Sally Caverly, 1457 River Rd, Clinton, ME 04927 and by emailing pictures and any pertinent information and contact information to: Russ Florenz at r.jflorenz@gmail.com.
The MBPA will promote the pen sale as it promotes the feeder calf sale. In addition the MBPA will feature pen sale animals on its Facebook page.
Sold animals may be loaded for transport at any time that is not in conflict with other activities at NELE. Sellers will have the option of offering their animals for sale by auction after the feeder calf auction on Saturday May 18th at no additional charge. Notice of participation in the auction must be given no less than one hour prior to the start of the feeder cattle sale.
For more information contact:
Pete Dusoe pbdusoe@roadrunner.com 207-416-5441
Kevin Woltemath kwoltemath@pfnmeats.com 207-721-0263
Russ Florenz r.jflorenz@gmail.com 207-743-9019
Pen Sale Update:
Mitchell Ledge has reserved three pens for their Belted Galloways, we have been pledged two registered breeding age Angus bulls, and we are hopeful that Dana Brown will return this year with another two Simmental bulls. See us on our
FB Event page.
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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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The Ag Census has just been released. Every 5 years the Ag Census measures the changes that have occurred in the farm community.
Nationwide the number of farms is down and the value of production per farm is down also. Maine also experienced a loss in farms and value of production.
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The number of farms that had cattle and calves in inventory in Maine was 1,756 in 2017 28% less than 2012. The number of farms having beef cows was 10,423 down only 1% from 2012. Number of dairy cattle dropped 5%. While number of farms with cattle and calves in inventory dropped, the number of cattle and calves sold in 2017 was up 2% from 2012. This includes dairy cattle.
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Last year Colt Knight worked with Central Queensland University in Australia to develop a new youth STEM education program called GPS Cows.The GPS Cows program was designed to increase digital literacy and understanding of precision agriculture to rural students. Students participating in this program learn about:
- Precision Livestock Management
- How GPS works
- How GPS is used in modern livestock management and research
- Scientific Method
- How to use geospatial software, spreadsheet software, and
- How to make a scientific poster
Students are then invited to the University of Maine campus for a tour, and a chance to make a GPS tracking collar. They are encouraged to design an experiment using their cattle( or borrowed cattle if they do not have access) and the GPS collar to test a hypothesis.
In the end, participants make a Poster and compete for prizes in a poster competition. They are judged on their poster presentation, content, and delivery. Last year, prizes included a silver trophy buckle, gift certificates, and more.
Up to 20 Jr. High and High School age students participate in this years GPS Cows program / science fair. If you work with youth, or know of 4-H groups that would like to participate, please contact
Colt.Knight@umaine.edu
or
Debra.Kantor@maine.edu
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Beef Sustainability:
The fact is that beef production, including the production of animal feed, is responsible for only 3.3 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. This is dramatically lower than the often-misquoted global livestock figure of 14.5 percent
(Mottet, 2018)
.
Dr. Frank Mitloehner, UCDavis Air Quality Specialist, explains that global numbers have intentionally distorted the sustainability picture. Truth be told? By continuously improving their production practices, today, U.S. beef farmers and ranchers are able to
produce
the same amount of beef with one-third-fewer cattle than they did in 1977.
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- Cattle only consume 2.6 pounds of grain per pound of beef, which is similar to pork and chicken. Nearly 90% of grain-finished cattle feed is inedible by humans.
- Corn going to cattle only represents 10% of harvested corn in the U.S, or 8 million acres.
- It takes only 308 gallons of water to produce a pound of boneless beef or 5% of water withdrawal in the U.S. And much is recycled.
- Cattle are one of the leading causes of greenhouse emissions.
- Cattle consume 9 pounds of grain for a pound of boneless beef and compete with people for food.
- We grow 100 million acres of corn for cattle.
- It takes up to 24,000 gallons of water to produce a pound of boneless beef and beef is a major drain on the water resources.
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- Red Meat Harvest Plant Report - The red meat harvest and processing industry in New York and New England was researched, including interviews and surveys. Key findings of the research report relate to labor, cooler space, funding for expansion and impact of seasonal production patterns.
- HOLSim™First-of-its-kind branded program promises to reshape beef-on-dairy opportunities.The American Simmental Association (ASA) and Holstein Association USA (HAUSA) have announced the formation of the HOLSim™ branded program. The program identifies elite SimAngus™ bulls with specific production attributes as mating solutions for dairy producers who breed some of their herd to beef.
- Rise Your Hand for 4-H - You can help by raising your hand to support kids in your community! Vote now and your state’s 4‑H program could win $5K, $10K or $20K to help more young people do, learn and grow.
- Maine Grass Farmers Network has equipment (manure spreader and no-till drill) that members are able to use.
- Maine Hay Directory - is available to help farmers with hay to sell and farmers looking for hay to buy. Be cautious of hay scams.
- Agrichemical and Fertilizer Suppliers in Maine - compiled by David E. Yarborough, Extension Blueberry Specialist.
- Shared Use Farm Equipment - Maine Farmland Trust list.
- Jobs at UMaine Extension
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Website:
On-line Course
- Beef Production and Management This online course about raising beef cattle covers breeds, establishing facilities, nutrition and reproduction, and marketing and finances. 7 sections, 19 hours, 365 days access to course. $199. Penn State University Extension.
Webinar
- Grazing Warm-Season Annuals This webinar discusses the role and management of warm-season annuals in a grazing system. Penn State University Extension.
Publications:
#1121
Butchering Beef: The Comprehensive Guide to Humane Slaughtering and Butchering
Learn how to humanely slaughter cattle and butcher your own beef. This straightforward guide provides clear instructions and step-by-step full-color photos of the entire butchering process, from creating the right preslaughter conditions through killing, skinning, keeping cold, breaking the meat down, and perfecting expert cuts. 342 pps. 2014. $24.95.
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- May 9, 2019 Cooking for Crowds, 5 pm at the Penobscot County Extension Office, 307 Maine Ave. Bangor. Participants will receive "Cooking for Crowds," a manual specifically designed for volunteer cooks, as well as a certificate of attendance, posters and a meat thermometer. Cost is $15 per person for the class, which meets the Good Shepherd Food Bank safety training requirements. Register online For more information or to request a disability accommodation call 207.942.7396 or within Maine 1.800.287.1485.
- May 10, 2019 Pasture Pork and Beginners Guide to Keeping Pigs, 11 am to 2 pm, Penobscot County Extension Office, Bangor. Course fee $10 includes lunch.
- May 16 - 19, 2019 Northeast Livestock Expo, Windsor Fairgrounds
- May 17 - 18, 2019 MBPA Pen Sale at the Northeast Livestock Expo, Windsor Fairgrounds
- May 18, 2019 MBPS Spring Feeder Cattle Sale, 11 am - Northeast Livestock Expo, Windsor Fairgrounds.
- June 15, 2019 Smoked Brisket and Beef Seminar, Colt Knight's House, Garland. Details to follow.
- end of June, Beef Handling and Pasture Walk at Shaw Road Farm in Dover-Foxcroft. Watch for details.
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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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