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News and events for Maine Beef Producers from 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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Veterinary Feed Directive Survey -
Managing the health of your herd is a primary responsibility of all farmers. The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) rules that went into effect January 1, 2017 may have impacted how you manage herd health. The rules limited the use of medically important antibiotics to disease prevention, control or treatment, and only when a veterinarian writes a VFD for their use.
Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with Land-Grant Universities nationwide, is conducting a survey of farmers who raise and manage dairy or beef cattle, pigs, sheep or goats. They want to learn about changes that have occurred in response to the VFD, in terms of your use of antibiotics, health of your herd, and in your relationship with your veterinarian.
The survey is open from now until April. All responses are confidential and your participation is voluntary. It will take 10-15 minutes to complete. Click to take the survey:
VFD Survey.
Thanks for your help.
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 Beef Industry Meeting April 18
Keys to Backgrounding Cattle: Focus on Vaccine Science and Parasite Control by Dr. Bradley Mills, Zoetis
Sponsored by Your Large Animal Veterinarian, University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Zoetis.
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Noon
Governor's Restaurant
Waterville
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Evening
TBA
Presque Isle
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Please RSVP by Friday, April 13th to Dan Heon with Zoetis at daniel.heon@zoetis.com. Call Dan at (802)922-8616 with questions and for Presque Isle location.
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MBPA Pen Sale at NELE
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 18-20. 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 availa
ble late afternoon on Thursday May 17th. 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 2018 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 19th 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
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MBPA Spring Feeder Cattle Sale
***Attention consignors: as in recent years, a $25/hd. consignment fee will be assessed, but this year that will be the applicable fee only if payment of $25/hd. is made by April 20th. You must mail a check payable to MBPA to:
Sally Caverly, MBPA Treasurer
1457 River Road
Clinton, ME 04927
Please include number of head consigned X $25 on the memo line.
This fee is non-refundable.
After April 20th, 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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Mud Management
April brings the spring thaw and mud to livestock areas. Many farmers consider frozen ground as "poor man's concrete" and thanks to a thick winter haircoat, cattle prefer cold, dry winter weather to the wet, rainy early spring, says Travis Meteer, Illinois Extension Educator.
In 1991 University of Nebraska researchers published the cost of muddy areas to cattle rate of gain. As the depth of mud increased the loss of rate of gain increases. Cattle wadding around in belly deep mug have a 35% loss of gain. Deep mud can also lead to foot root.
A dry, less saturated area for cattle can improve cattle performance and avoid health issues. It would be nice to have concrete feed pads or hoop barn structures to get cattle out of the mud. NRCS may have funds to help with high use area expenses. In the short-term the use of geo-textile fabric and stone can offer temporary or mid-term mitigation of muddy, wet areas.
Another option is to use bedding, although more organic matter added to the pen can create more mud. Deep bedding backs can work well by building mounded areas for cattle to stay on "high ground." So lots of bedding can help, but will mean more manure hauling.
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Last month Matt LeRoux, Cornell Extension, talked about this at the Maine Grazing Conference.
This tool helps you set prices for each marketing channel in which you sell, to ensure you reach your PROFIT goals.
To use the tool you will need to prepare two things in advance:
1) Choose one typical, representative animal from your herd and track the HCW, fees paid for processing, and WEIGH ALL THE CUTS received back from that animal.
2) You'll need your current price list for meat cuts sold in the channel (ex., restaurants, farmers' markets, grocery stores, etc...).
You will also need to know a base price for your animal. This is a price per pound hanging weight ($/lb. HCW) that your PRODUCTION operation needs to receive in order to be profitable and continue farming. Think of your farm as running multiple businesses. Each business sells to the next, and each business has other market options. To justify each business, you need to set pricing in order to keep each step profitable.
We can provide some help with the numbers, but the best results will come from your own numbers. If you haven't weighed all the meat back from an animal, wait until you do, and please return to the site.
Each arrow on the diagram represents an opportunity for your farm to sell to some other buyer, be it a regional brand, auction, or another farm. If you choose to continue through the process, you should determine that
base price
. The price we need to start is where the production business sells to the marketing business.
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Maine Beef Cattle & Calves Statistics
The
New England Agriculture Statistics 2016 was released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Service November 2017. Below are the numbers of beef cattle & calves on farms January 1, 2013 to 2017. The last line "Total cattle and calves" includes those kept for milk. All numbers in thousands.
| Year |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
| Beef cows and heifers |
11 |
11 |
11 |
10 |
11 |
| Beef heifers 500 lbs and over kept for replacement |
2.5 |
3 |
4.5 |
3 |
4 |
| Other beef heifers over 500 lbs |
2 |
2 |
2.5 |
3 |
3 |
| Bulls 500 lbs and over |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
| Steers 500 lbs and over |
6 |
5 |
4.5 |
3.5 |
4 |
| Beef calves under 500 lbs. (est) |
5.5 |
6.5 |
7.6 |
7.6 |
6.5 |
| Total Beef Inventory |
23 |
22.5 |
24 |
21 |
30 |
| Total cattle and calves |
86 |
85 |
85 |
81 |
84 |
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The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering a 4-day course in professional meat cutting/processing in Gardiner, ME on June 11-14, 2018. This course includes both classroom and hands-on training. Participants will learn about: History of US meat production, consumer trends, humane handling and slaughter of livestock, meat quality, food safety, labeling, and customer service. In addition, participants will have hands-on training with beef, swine, and lamb cuts, as well as, sausage making. Students will have the opportunity to tour professional/commercial meat processing facilities.
Special guest, Dr. Gregg Rentfrow will serve as the lead instructor. Doctor Rentfrow is a meat professor at the University of Kentucky, and serves as the state extension meat specialist, the University of Kentucky's meat lab director and teaches courses in meat science. Other instructors include Dr. Robson Machado, Assistant Extension Professor and Food Science Specialist, and Dr. Colt Knight, Assistant Professor of Extension and State Livestock Specialist.
Register Online
Registration deadline: June 8, 2018.
Space is limited. Maximum number of participants: 20.
Cost: $200.00 per student. Price includes lunch each day, refreshments, a reference notebook, 6" boning knife and supplies.
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GPS Cows
The GPSCows program is designed to educate rural youth in precision agriculture and improve their digital literacy skills. We teach the kids about GPS, how it's used in livestock research, then have them build a GPS collar from scratch in the Grazing Behavior Lab. Once completed, they conduct a science experiment using their new collars on cows, and meet back here on campus June 2nd for a science fair project.
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Items of Interest
- 2018 Tractor Safety Programs starting in April throughout the state including Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox & Lincoln, Penobscot and Waldo Counties. Click here for more information.
- Census of Agriculture - there is still time to complete the Census of Agriculture for your farm operation.
- Rural Tax Education - Farmers, ranchers, other agricultural producers and Extension educators will find on this website a source for agriculturally related income and self-employment tax information that is both current and easy to understand.
- IRS Farmers' Tax Guide #225
- UMaine Extension Livestock Facebook Page! From the UMaine Extension Livestock Team - UMaine Extension's livestock programs help producers manage renewable resources, such as soil, water, nutrients, crops, buildings, equipment, and people. Like and follow this page to be the first to learn about UMaine Extension Livestock programs, events and information. Please like, share and follow!
- Dry Weather Affecting Grass Yields . . . Again? Crop Insurance Could Help.
- Testing Forage Quality - YouTube video from UMaine Extension discusses the nutritional importance of forage quality and recommended sampling techniques.
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- Jobs at UMaine Extension: Administrative Specialist (Cumberland, Bryant Pond & Diagnostic Lab), CEA (Lewiston)
- Farm Labor Link Network: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is charged with maintaining an agricultural jobs network linking farms and facilities processing agricultural products grown in the State with available workers who wish to work on a farm or in a local food industry. Whether you are an employer or someone interested in pursuing the rewarding work of farm and food productions, this can be a first step towards meetings your informational needs.
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Featured Resources
Web Site:
Canadian Poisonous Plants Information
presents data on plants that cause poisoning in livestock, pets, and humans. The plants include native, introduced, and cultivated outdoor plants as well as indoor plants that are found in Canada. Some food and herbal plants are also included that may cause potential poisoning problems.
YouTube Video:
Products Made With Cow Parts - From lipstick to jet fuel, cows provide it all for humans. We checked with the National Cattleman's Beef Association to see what some of the most common, and surprising, products contain cow parts.
Hay Feeders - Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle specialist, Dave Lalman about what types of hay feeders work best to reduce hay loss. Solid bottom hay feeders can save 8% of hay waste.
Visit the UMaine Extension Cooperative Extension online
Publications Catalog
for agriculture information, such as:
- Beef Cattle Herd Health Vaccination Guide for Maine #1031
A herd health management plan is vital to profitable beef production. Do not wait until a disease outbreak occurs before implementing a sound herd health program. For cattle to reach their performance potential, they must be healthy. Vaccinations are an approved practice for organic producers. 5 pages. © 2014 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Download it for free or buy a color copy $0.75.
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Using Your Smartphone to Enhance Your Farm Business in Maine #1061. You likely have a smartphone in your pocket, so why not use it to make your farm business more efficient and more profitable? If your phone is used primarily to make calls, then this fact sheet will help you explore how your phone can help you in your farm business.
4 pages. © 2018 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free
or buy a color copy . $0.50.
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Upcoming Events
- April 1, 2018 Calves 4 Kids application deadline.
- April 12, 2018 Swine Education Seminar, Viles Arboretum, Augusta. Topics covered include health, marketing, regulations, feed and becoming certified organic. MOFGA is a cosponsor. Registration and schedule information available from Cindy.Kilgore@maine.gov, 215-4968.
- April 18, 2018 Beef Industry Meetings - Keys to Backgrounding Cattle: Focus on Vaccine Science and Parasite Control. Waterville at noon and Presque Isle in evening. For more details click here for pdf of program. Please RSVP by Friday, April 13th to Dan Heon with Zoetis at daniel.heon@zoetis.com. Call Dan at (802)922-8616 with questions and for Presque Isle location.
- April 21st, 2018 28th Annual National Belted Galloway Sale and Fryeburg Youth Show at Fryeburg Fairgounds. Youth events going on all weekend and the sale at 1:00 pm on the 21st. Contact: Dustin James, (207) 491-5980 or info@newenglandgallowaygroup.com
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April 27, 2018
Hands-On Chainsaw Safety for Women, 9:30 am to 3 pm, sponsored by the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District, Dover Foxcroft. Registration $40.
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May 3rd, 2018
Agricultural Labor Field Day, 9:30AM to 12:30PM, Alfond Rec Center, KVCC Hinckley Campus, Hinckley, Maine. Join agricultural service providers, employers, labor industry groups, and KVCC staff to find or prepare for a professional or academic career in a variety of agricultural areas. Workforce training and professional development staff from KVCC and the Department of Labor will be available to participants to review resumes and offer job searching advice. In addition, KVCC will also provide farm tours during the event.
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May 16, 2018 Organic Farming Principles & Practices: Livestock 101 - Basic Handling, Misty Brook Farm, Albion, Maine. Fee: $100; $75 for MOFGA members. When considering value-added endeavors, medium to large livestock are often a valuable addition to an operation. Knowing proper handling and first aid techniques can save lots of money and grief. For more information
MOFGA.ORG
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May 18 to 20, 2018
MBPA Pen Sale at NELE Windsor Fair Grounds, FMI Russ Florenz at r.jflorenz@gmail.com
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May 18 - 19, 2018 4-H@UMaine, Youth spend the weekend on a college campus, Orono. 207.581.3877. 4HatUMaine@maine.edu
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June 2, 2018 GPS Cows Science Fair, Penobscot Extension Office, Bangor.
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Maine Beef Producers Association
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 just started a new Facebook page. Like and follow to get the fastest information from Maine Beef Producers Association.
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Newsletter Subscription Information
The Maine Beef Newsletter (MBN) is now received by over 660 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
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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Quick Links
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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
and
Colt Knight, Extension Livestock Specialist
Goal
The goal of the Maine Beef Newsletter is to provide timely information on the production and marketing of beef grown in Maine.
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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 by Donna Coffin unless otherwise noted.
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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 (in Maine)
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Open Mon, Thurs, Fri
8 am to 4:30 pm,
Open Appointment on Wed
, Closed Tuesday
165 East Main St.
Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207.564.3301 or 800.287.1491 (in Maine)
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Open Monday - Friday
8 am to 4:30 pm
992 Waterville Road
Waldo, ME 04915-3117
207.342.5971 or 800.287.1426 (in Maine)
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