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 Membership Renewal
- Maine Beef Producers Association Annual Meeting Recordings of Educational Sessions
- Maine Beef Producers Association 2021 Awards
- Maine Cattlemen's College Youth 4-H Judging Contest Results
- Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program
- PFAS - What Farmers Can Do to Protect Themselves and Their Farms
- New UMaine Soil Health Short Course
- MBPA Scholarship
- MBPA Calves 4 Kids
- Dairy Webinar Series
- Survey Requests
- Upcoming Events
- Maine Beef Producers Association Membership
- National Beef Prices
- Items of Interest
- Newsletter Subscription Information
- Mission of Newsletter and Quick Links
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MBPA members are listed on the MBPA website. Those who have not renewed membership will be removed from the website April 1st.
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Educational Sessions at the Annual Meeting of the Maine Beef Producers Association
- Nancy McBrady, MDACF Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources
- Andy Smith, ME CDC
- Dr. Michele Walsh, ME State Veterinarian
- Rick Kersbergen, UMaine Cooperative Extension
- Dr. Colt Knight, Livestock Specialist, UMaine Cooperative Extension
- Chef Rob Dumas CEC, UMaine School of Food and Agriculture
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Maine Beef Producers Association 2021 Awards |
2021 Beef Producer – Shaw Road Farm, Dover-Foxcroft
Benjamin and Ashley Cookson along with Ben’s parents Fred and Karen market grass-fed beef from their Angus and Red Angus-bred herd directly from the farm and through the Orono Farmers Market.
2021 Seedstock Producer – River Run Farm, Strong
Rupert Pratt and family continue their multi-generation farm operation with a long history of breeding, exhibiting, and marketing quality Shorthorn cattle.
2021 Youth Award – Lauren Pride, Limington
Accomplished exhibitor of both market and breeding cattle and an award-winning showman, Lauren has also been a willing spokesperson at livestock events. She is a leader by example and a mentor for many beginners and young exhibitors.
2021 James Worthley Service Award – Dr. Colt W. Knight
Acknowledging Colt as the initiator and driving force of the Maine’s Cattlemen’s College, a Cutting School, coordinator of BQA certification, as a NELE presenter, cooking judge, and technical advisor on remote broadcasting of Feeder Sales and with special appreciation for his most recent technical help and guidance with the MBPA Scholarship, remote Judging Contest and as dedicated Zoom meeting host during these past 2 challenging years.
2021 Hall of Fame – Cindy Kilgore
Cindy is recognized for her industry support as organizer of the NELE Kid’s Day, her valuable contributions as long-time recording Secretary for both NELE and MBPA, as BQA instructor, and especially for her patient and dedicated help with Feeder Sale cattle processing as well as on-farm and event weighing for production and marketing improvement.
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Maine Cattlemen's College Youth 4-H Judging Contest - Market Steer
Individual -
-First - Madelyn ( Young Farmers 4-H Beef Club - Jenn Grant)
-Second - Mackenzie ( Young Farmers 4-H Beef Club - Jenn Grant)
-Third - Dawson ( Young Farmers 4-H Beef Club - Jenn Grant)
Club - Senior -
-First - Penobscot Livestock 4H Club Sr Group - (Corinna Caron)
Club - Junior -
-First - Penobscot Livestock 4H Club Jr Group - (Corinna Caron)
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Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program (AIIP) |
Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program (AIIP) is a great opportunity to improve your beef facilities and operation. Deadline February 25th.
Additional Resources:
The recording of the AIIP webinar is posted on the CEI website.
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PFAS - What Farmers Can Do to Protect Themselves and Their Farms
Knowledge is the best way to ease your worries and fears.
- What are PFAS?
- Why should I be concerned?
- How did PFAS get in farm soils and water?
- Can PFAS be removed from the soil?
- How can I find out if my soils were spread with contaminated sludge?
- How do I test for PFAS?
- What crops are most impacted by PFAS?
- Are there crops that would be acceptable to plant on already contaminated fields?
- Are state agencies testing milk?
- What supports are available to farms with higher than allowable limits?
- What is the State of Maine doing now?
- What is my next step?
This resource and the links in the resource will be changing, as more information becomes available and risk assessments change.
If you have questions or concerns, contact your service providers from Cooperative Extension, NRCS, Dept of Ag, or MOFGA. Read more online at the following websites:
Attribution for graphic on PFAS lifecycle: European Environment Agency (2019). Typical PFAS exposure pathways [Online image]. https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/emerging-chemical-risks-in-europe
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New Extension Soil Health Short Course
This 5-week online course is designed for farmers who want to improve their understanding of soil health science, principles, and practical management strategies. Agricultural advisors also are welcome.
The course will run from February 14 – March 25, Wednesdays from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
Course topics include soil biology and soil organic matter, physical and chemical properties of soil health, soil health strategies and practices, cover cropping, reduced tillage practices, crop rotation, soil amendments, soil health testing, and making a soil health plan.
Registration deadline is February 6th! The course fee is on a sliding scale ($120/$90/$60) and includes one free soil health test ($60 value) for those who complete the course and provide feedback.
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2022 MAINE BEEF PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
Applications due
April 1st, 2022
A maximum of two $500 scholarships will be awarded each year by the MBPA.
REQUIREMENTS:
-Applicant must be a family member of or have been employed by a member of the Maine Beef Producers Association.
-Student must be a Maine resident.
-Student must provide a transcript of a 2.75 or higher cumulative GPA at the time of application.
-Must submit application and required information.
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Maine Beef Producers Association Calves for Kids
The Maine Beef Producers Association is once again accepting applications for the Calves for Kids program.
The deadline is April 1st, 2022.
Youth applying will be asked to come for an interview before the Calves 4 Kids committee at a later date. This program, started in 2007, has given 28 youth in the State of Maine a heifer calf.
The program gives a youth an opportunity to have a registered beef heifer to show and start a herd. The youth's obligation is to breed the heifer to a registered bull and give back to the program the first heifer calf. If they do not get a heifer calf born after a few years they are obligated to pay the MBPA $1000.
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2022 Dairy Webinar Series |
The University of Vermont (UVM) Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program will host the 2022 Dairy Webinar Series in February and March, featuring experts from Vermont and other states discussing a wide range of dairy and beef related topics. The webinars are free with no advance registration required. They will be offered via Zoom from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details and the Zoom link can be found at http://go.uvm.edu/conferences.
- 2/11/22, Manure Matters: Sustainable Dung Ecology
- 2/18/22, Higher Forages Diet
- 2/23/22, Dairy Loose Housing Systems
- 2/25/22, UVM Forage and Dairy Research
- 3/2/22, Green House Gas Emissions on Organic Dairy
- 3/4/22, Genetic Considerations for Organic Dairy Herds
- 3/9/22, Cost of Production in Organic and Grass-fed Dairy Systems
We welcome you to attend one or all of the webinars! If you have any questions, please contact Susan Brouillette at susan.brouillette@uvm.edu or 802-524-6501 ext. 432.
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Equipping New Farmers with Practical Skills and Knowledge
Hello Maine Farmers!
If you have been farming for under 10 years, UMaine Extension needs YOUR input! I’m Chris Howard, Project Manager of a new project here at UMaine Cooperative Extension – Equipping New Farmers with Practical Skills and Knowledge.
I’m inviting you to participate in my research study. We have some new funding to help new and developing farmers get trained in agriculture.
We need to know what types of farming you're interested in, your farming goals, and how much experience you have farming so we can tailor our programming to your needs.
This is an anonymous survey that will take 10 minutes or less. You must be at least 18 years old to participate. Will you take a few minutes to take the survey and give your input?
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Cooperative Business Models in Beef Production
My name is Elaina Enzien and I’m working on my masters in agricultural sciences at the University of New Hampshire. I am emailing to ask for your help in a research study to help assess cooperative business models of beef production to address harvest capacity constraints in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont (IRB-FY2022-186).
You are being asked to participate in a short online survey that should take you approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Participation is limited to beef producers that reside in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont and sell USDA inspected, State inspected, or Custom processed meat direct to consumers.
The results will be used in reports, presentations, and other publications. All participants identities will not be shared and will remain confidential. Your participation will help contribute to the development of resources, programs, and networks to aid in the expansion and sustainability of beef businesses and harvest facilities in northern New England.
If you’d like to participate in this survey, please click the link below.
Thank you for assisting in this important study.
Elaina Enzien
603-679-5616
Field Specialist, Food & Agriculture
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The MBPA website has information about the association, the board of directors, and forms for awards, activities, and sales. Members have the opportunity to have their farm listed with a photo, description of their farm, and a link to their own farm website. You can add this information when you join or send the information and digital photo to Russ Florenz at info@mainebeefproducersassociation.com
The Maine Beef Producers Association has a Facebook page. Like and follow to get the fastest information from Maine Beef Producers Association. Facebook
Join the Maine Beef Producers Association.
The Maine Beef Producers Association is accepting dues for the 2022 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 and online payment go to http://www.mainebeefproducersassociation.com
You can join the association online and pay by credit card on a secure site or by mailing the information to Sally Caverly by either printing off the form from the website, or completing the pdf version of the form and mailing to her at 1457 River Rd., Clinton, ME. |
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National Beef Prices
National Monthly Grass Feb Beef Report - includes wholesale and retail (direct to consumer) prices of cuts of meat as well as small and very small producer carcass prices (wholesale $4.39/# - direct to consumer $7.46/# to $9.28/#.)
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Publications:
Videos:
Websites:
Grants & Loans
Equipment, supplies, etc.
- No-Till Drill available to Maine Grass Farmers Network members.
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Maine Hay Directory - is available to help farmers with hay to sell and farmers looking for hay to buy. Be cautious of hay scams. FARMERS WITH HAY AVAILABLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO UPDATE THEIR LISTING NOW. Either call (207) 342-5971, email billiejo.pendleton@maine.edu, or mail updates to Waldo County Extension Office, 992 Waterville Rd, Belfast, ME 04915.
Agriculture Jobs
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Maine Beef Producers Association |
Join the Maine Beef Producers Association.
The Maine Beef Producers Association is accepting dues for the 2021 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 and online payment go to http://www.mainebeefproducersassociation.com
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 730 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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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, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm - Closed Tuesday
165 East Main St Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207-564-3301 or 800-287-1491
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