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?
- Maine Beef Producers Association Annual Awards
- Nominations for Northeast Unit Rep
- Communication with MBPA Members
- Harvesting Maine Video Series Launched
- MBPA Online Membership
- Survey: How Has the Pandemic Impacted Maine Farmers? Including Beef Producers
- 4th Annual Maine Cattlemen’s College - Results
- Free RFID Tags
- National Beef Prices
- Items of Interest
- Featured Resources
- Upcoming Events
- Newsletter Subscription Information
- Mission and Quick Links
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Maine Beef Producers Association Annual Awards |
MBPA Annual Awards were presented by Kevin Woltemath on behalf of the Maine Beef Producers Association Board.
Beef Producer –
North Wind Farm, Houlton – Father/son Cary and Brad Hill and their families calve over a hundred cows and finish for sale to Pineland Farms Natural Meats (PFNM). They are also custom-backgrounding calves purchased by PFNM for eventual finishing at PFNM’s feedyard.
Seedstock Producer –
Ledge Hill Farm, Exeter – Dana and Lucia Brown and their family have developed a high-quality Simmental herd selling outstanding bulls to farms within the state and showing competitively both in-state and regionally.
James Worthley Service Award –
Russ Florenz, Paris – In Russ’ service to MBPA as Secretary, he was instrumental in upgrading to the organization’s new website and continues to maintain that to a high standard. He plays a central role in assisting MBPA members privately market both seedstock and feeder cattle.
Youth Award –
Dawson Ramsdell, Limington – Dawson excels not only in his showring accomplishments but also in his interest as a Hereford breeder as well. He has represented Maine very successfully in Showmanship and Type classes at the Big E, provides a hard-working example for other young exhibitors and showed great initiative and leadership in helping to organize Maine’s first wintertime youth show.
Hall of Fame –
Gary Anderson is well-recognized for his contributions to the Dairy Industry in Maine, the recently retired University of Maine Cooperative Extension Animal and Bioscience Specialist and now Emeritus Professor was also a knowledgeable information resource for beef producers. He always provided much-needed advice with a keen knowledge and enthusiasm for animal nutrition and farm business enterprises including the Foundation for Agricultural Renewal.
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Nominations for Northeast Unit Rep for CBPRB
The Maine Beef Producers Association is certified to nominate a candidate for consideration of appointment as Northeast Unit representative on the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board for a 3-yr. term beginning in January 2022.
The Northeast Unit comprises the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Any beef producer who owns cattle is eligible to apply but you must do so by completing and returning an application to the MBPA by June 1. For an application, contact MBPA Board member Kevin Woltemath at kwoltemath@pfnmeats.com or ph. 749-5602.
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Communication with MBPA Members
Board Member Elections:
Russ Florenz, Jonathan Tibbetts, and Iris Guimond were re-elected to terms expiring in 2023. Kevin Woltemath was elected to fill the vacant term expiring in 2023.
Scholarship Recipients Selected:
Congratulations to Ashton Caron and Bradeen Bickford, this years two MBPA scholarship winners.
Russ Florenz
Secretary, MBPA
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"Harvesting Maine"
video series launches the first episode
“Harvesting Maine,” a new video interview series from MDACF that helps people meet Real Maine members. The series of casual video interviews launches spring 2021. It showcases farmers, growers and producers who work to make a variety of Maine agricultural products available and accessible year-round.
In episode one Maine maple producers walk us through the sap harvest season, explain the nuances of sugaring, and how to enjoy maple products year-round. Real Maine's interview series shares your questions about agriculture with farmers, growers and producers dedicated to quality farm products. What are your questions about maple syrup?
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The MBPA website has information about the association, the board of directors, and forms for awards, activities, and sales.
You can join the association online and pay by credit card on a secure site.
There is an option to pay 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.
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
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Survey: How Has the Pandemic Impacted Maine Farmers? Including Beef Producers
MOFGA, MFT, CDI, and CEI are conducting research on the impacts of COVID-19 on our food system and markets. As a valued farmer in the state of Maine, you are invited to participate in this survey. We greatly appreciate your feedback and contribution to this project. All individual survey responses will remain confidential.
In addition to this survey for farmers, we are also conducting surveys of Maine consumers and wholesale buyers.We will use this research to identify ways to better support Maine farmers in the aftermath of COVID-19, and we will share the results with the farming community so that everyone can get a better idea about how COVID-19 has impacted farmers throughout the state.
There will be a raffle form linked at the end of this survey that will enter you to win one of 30 $100 Gift Cards!
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4th Annual Maine Cattlemen’s College - Results
Those who registered will have access to the videos for another week. If you haven't already, please let us know what you think of this year's Cattlemen's College by completing this evaluation. There were a total of 37 people registered for the event.
Beef Judging Class
We had a lot of folks watch the judging class, but only a few entries. Results will be announced next month.
Prizes
Group
- First Prize: $75
- Second Prize: $50
- Third Prize: $25
Individual
- First Prize: $50
- Second Prize: $35
- Third Prize: $25
Pineland Natural Meat has generously agreed to match the cash prize awarded by the Maine Beef Producers Association.
Scholarship Fundraising
This year, Pine Ridge Acres in Cumberland, Maine, donated a Simmental/Angus Cross grass-fed calf that was auctioned off for the Maine Beef Producers Scholarship Fund. The MBPA also hosted a silent auction to benefit the MBPA Youth Scholarship Fund. And, those registering for this year's Cattlemen's College had an option to donate to the scholarship fund. The total funds raised for the MBPA scholarship fund was over $1,275.
Thank you everyone for your support.
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Free RFID Tags Still Available
Cattle Producers are encouraged to participate in a FREE RFID (electronic ID) ear tag program.
The USDA is temporarily offering these tags to cattle producers to encourage usage of the RFID tags which will be mandatory by January 2023.
If you have any questions related to these tags, or the Animal Disease Traceability Program, email Donna Flint or call (207-557-4623). Thanks!
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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 $3.85/# - direct to consumer $7.88/#.) Also includes grazing fees per AUM for 17 state survey ($20/AUM.)
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Information
Grants & Loans
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The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand local and regional food business enterprises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer to consumer marketing to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.
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The Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) funds projects that develop, coordinate and expand direct producer-to-consumer markets to help increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products by developing, coordinating, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, online sales or other direct producer-to-consumer
Equipment, supplies, etc.
Agriculture Jobs
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Videos:
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Farm to Table Fare: Video series produced by Chef Rob Dumas and Dr. Colt Knight for a crash course in preparing locally-sourced meat. You are welcome to link them to your websites to give your customers information on preparing Smash-Burgers. Watch for more beef videos.
Websites:
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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
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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 720 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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