The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Even small plots of land - whether rural or urban - growing fruit, vegetables or some food animals count if $1,000 or more of such products were raised and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the Census year. The Census of Agriculture, taken only once every five years, looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures. For America’s farmers and ranchers, the Census of Agriculture is their voice, their future, and their opportunity.

June 30, 2022 is the last day to sign up for the 2022 Ag Census. If you have never received a census and are new to NASS surveys, sign up to be counted today. You do not need to sign up if you already receive NASS surveys.

Did you know that UMaine Extension has several crop or species specific newsletters that highlight timely production and pest concerns? Newsletters include;

Learn more and find archived editions here.

Getting the most our of your cover crop requires planning and forethought. With the cost of fuel, planning a cover crop that you can incorporate easily and that will reduce weeds, and therefore cultivation passes will be important. Also, planning for N fixing cover crops to minimize your fertilizer bill for future crops could result in big cost savings.

While the majority of cover crop planting will happen in 2 or 3 months, it's a good idea to get your orders in early. With supply chain issues as they have been, you don't want to be left without seed going into the winter. The Northeast Cover Crop Council has a great tool to help research new cover crop species that fit your system and goals. Find that tool at https://covercrop.tools/ . You can also reach out to your local Cooperative Extension office to talk through your goals and work through a plan.

Recent rainfall has alleviated some long-term dryness in northwestern Maine, but the U.S. Drought Monitor continues to show some areas of abnormal dryness and moderate drought due to lingering precipitation deficits, and reduced streamflows and groundwater levels. Abnormal dryness also persists along the coast. For more information visit the Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard.

 

The current 10-day forecast from NOAA shows a somewhat active weather pattern, with weekend rainfall (especially over western and northern areas) and possible precipitation statewide mid-week. Temperatures are forecast to be near normal or on the cool side for this time of year for the next several days, with mornings in the high 40s or low 50s and afternoons in the high 60s to mid 70s.  Local weather forecasts are available from weather.gov.

 

The NOAA/National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center 8–14 day outlook (issued June 2^nd, valid June 10–16) suggests near normal temperature and near normal precipitation. The 1-month outlook for June (issued May 31^st) shows a lean towards above normal temperature and equal chance of above or below normal precipitation.

 

A new feature column from Sean Birkel, Assistant Extension Professor, Maine State Climatologist, Climate Change Institute, Cooperative Extension University of Maine. Have any climate/weather questions related to agriculture?  Send Sean an e-mail at birkel@maine.edu

The PFAS Testing Grants Program is available to all commercial farms throughout the state. The program is administered by MFT and MOFGA to assist farmers who have concerns regarding potential PFAS contamination. The Program will pay for:

A simple application form will assess eligibility for the program and several farms will be selected upon a weekly review to participate in the program.

Get full eligibility requirements and program details here.

For the last two years it has been an action item voted on the Maine Farm Bureau's annual meeting to develop a mentor program. MFB’s Vice President, Stasha, has accrued a list of farmers looking for mentors. These farmers were found by her work within the Beginner Farmer Advisory Committee. Below is a list of farmers and their needs, if specified. If the idea of being a mentor resonates with you please email Julie Ann (executivedirector@mainefarmbureau.com) or call (207) 622-41111 and she will get you paired up!

Breeds of Livestock is a resource presented by the Department of Animal Science at Oklahoma State University. This site is intended as an educational and informational resource on breeds of livestock throughout the world. They hope producers enjoy the information provided and find it both educational and fun.

They see this site as a continually growing resource. As time passes they will be expanding the educational and scientific information pertaining to breeds. They already have breeds from every inhabited continent and they have cooperative projects underway with individuals at a number of other Universities to add to their listings and to expand existing information.

Where available breed association are listed.