Your Monthly News & Updates |
|
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.
Note: underlined words are linked to webpages with more information.
|
|
- Consignors for the MBPA spring pre-conditioned feeder calf sale, tentatively set for Saturday, May 20th during the Northeast Livestock Expo in Windsor. If you are interested in consigning calves to this sale, please contact Jesse Caron at 207-356-5069 or jcaron@live.com.
- The MBPA is contemplating purchasing equipment that members of the beef association could rent. Some equipment that small or beginning farms could benefit from are expensive to purchase, but may be attractive to rent. Items discussed were scales, squeeze chutes, panels, small stock trailers, post hold diggers or drivers. If you would be interested in renting equipment, please send your ideas to info@mainebeefproducersassociation.com.
|
|
|
Last weekend was a very cold one with high winds. UMaine Extension with input from the MDACF developed a website with tips for livestock owners to help keep their animals safe.
- Even if your farm animals appear contented, they still require all the basics and a familiar routine such as consistent good feed, fresh clean water, adequate access to shelter (especially if windy, cold, or wet), dry bedding, good traction in outdoor runs, and proper ventilation, and, if possible, some sunlight too.
- Know that animals may eat more, and need more frequent check-ins by people during colder weather. Be extra observant if anything seems amiss, for example, an animal is hanging back and not eating, or looks and acts lethargic.
- Ruminants and equines can get some extra body heat from gut microbes while digesting hay.
- Use common sense and do what you can to reduce adding more stress to the farm environment.
|
|
|
2023 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, 2023.
Youth applying will be asked to come for an interview before the Calves For Kids committee at a later date. This program, started in 2007, has given 2 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.
photo: Edwin Remsberg
|
|
2023 MAINE BEEF PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP
Applications due April 1st, 2023
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.
|
|
Novel Shallow Well Questionaire |
Dr. Rachel Schattman at UMaine and collaborators at USGS are getting ready to submit a grant to support installing a new shallow well at Highmoor Farm. It's part of thier effort to test this new well design in several locations around Maine, so see how they perform under various soil and environmental conditions.
To better understand farmers' (and other people's) interest in the well design, they have pulled together a VERY BRIEF questionnaire that will be open until February 14th.
Novel shallow wells are a relatively new technology that functions like an artificial underground aquifer. They can be relatively inexpensive to install, and in some locations provide very safe, reliable sources of water. Below is a diagram of the well design, which was trademarked in 2017.
Note that the outflow labeled "to basement" could be to a residential house, or to a variety of other outputs, including hydrants.
Our experience to date suggests that these wells are very good at supplying a consistent source of water for a variety of uses. The US Geological Survey New England Water Science Center, the University of Maine, and the USDA Northeast Climate Hub are currently seeking funding to test this new well design in Maine.
Your perspectives on this project will inform how, and where, we install test wells in 2023 and beyond. Thank you for taking the time to answer this short questionnaire.
|
|
Managing Forage Crops Workshop - FREE |
Feb. 21st
10:00 am to 3:30 pm
University of Massachusetts Research Farm
89 River Road, South Deerfield, MA, 01373
Price: Free (Lunch will be provided)
Animal operations are constantly seeking to reduce feed costs while maintaining high forage quality. The forage crop management workshop is a multi-state effort that provides the latest information about various aspects of forage production.
Speakers from UVM, UME, Cornell, UNH, and UMass will present topics all related to foraging.
|
|
|
The University of Maine's Graduate School of Business, in partnership with MaineBiz and the Catherine Cutler Institute, is conducting research on whether the Maine brand confers a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Led by researchers Caroline Paras, Ph.D. Candidate, Erin Percival Carter, Marketing Professor, and Norm O'Reilly, Dean of the Graduate School of Business, the study's results will be broadly and freely shared with an aim to inform industry about how the Maine brand affects key business decisions.
As part of this effort, we need to hear from Maine businesses, large and small. To that end, we invite you to participate in a survey where we will ask you the following questions:
- How do you define the Maine brand?
- Does it influence the development of your products and services?
- Does it have an impact on your workplace culture?
- Does it affect your firm’s performance?
- What images best reflect the Maine brand?
The survey, which is completely anonymous, will take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. It features multiple-choice questions, open-ended prompts, and an opportunity to submit your favorite Maine photos. We plan to share the results in the fall of 2023.
Please click on the following link to learn more about the study and to participate in the survey.
|
|
Do you have enough forage this year? |
Our YouTube video Got Livestock – Need Hay features Rick Kersbergen, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Professor, who shares information on how to assess what you have for feed, assess how much feed you will need for the next six to seven months, and strategies to consider if you don’t have enough feed.
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
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 $4.31/# - direct to consumer $7.72/# to $9.06/#.)
Vermont Monthly Local Beef Report - includes carcass prices as well as retail prices (direct to consumer) per cut for locally raised beef. Dressed beef carcass value for December 2022: $306/cwt.
|
|
Publications/ Websites:
Grants & Loans
-
PFAS Testing Funds: Get full eligibility requirements and program details at this Webpage.
Equipment, supplies, etc.
Agriculture Jobs
-
Jobs at UMaine Extension - there are 16 full and part-time positions posted including a post-doc PFAS Research and Outreach.
-
Maine Farm Labor Link Network: Looking for farm workers or looking for farm work, this site helps connect farmers with people looking for work on farms. MDACF
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
 |
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
|
|
|
|
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.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System). 11/22
Photos: Donna Coffin unless indicated otherwise.
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
