Maine Weather and Climate Update

The latest National Weather Service (NWS) forecast shows generally seasonable weather for the next several days with temperatures near normal and two or three precipitation events. On Saturday, a spring storm system will bring mostly rain to the southern half of the state and rain, snow, and mixed precipitation across the north. Daytime high temperatures are forecast to range low 40s to mid 30s south to north. The storm passage will bring colder air for Sunday and lingering flurries with high temperatures ranging 30s to 20s south to north.  A weaker storm system is forecast overnight Monday.  Temperatures are forecast this week with highs in the 40s and 50s in the south and 30s and low 40s in the north.  A warm wave could develop mid to late week bringing precipitation, mostly rain, statewide.  As always, be sure to check weather.gov for the latest weather forecast for your area. For detailed winter weather information refer to the NWS Caribou and Gray forecast office pages.

The NWS Climate Prediction Center 8–14 day outlook probability maps for April 6–12 show below to near normal temperature and normal precipitation. The one-month outlook for April (issued March 16) leans above normal temperature and equal chance of above or below normal precipitation. Looking further out, the three-month seasonal outlook for April–June (issued March 16) also leans toward above normal temperature and equal chance of above or below normal precipitation.

Hydrology: The Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard shows most streamflow and groundwater gauges reporting normal conditions statewide, but there are lingering 30-day and 60-day precipitation deficits.  The NWS Regional Snow Analysis maps also suggest that snowpack and extent is near normal for the end of March. Early drought indicators are being monitored closely as the spring melt continues these nest few weeks.

Sean Birkel, Assistant Extension Professor, Maine State Climatologist, Climate Change Institute, Cooperative Extension University of Maine. For climate/weather questions related to agriculture, send Sean e-mail at birkel@maine.edu

Maine Food Convergence

The goal of the 2023 Convergence Event is to co-create a space for the Convergence Community to explore how shifts in the food system can advance social and racial equity while also increasing climate resilience. The event will facilitate conversations, most of which will center voices of those who have experienced inequities within our food system. It will help participants connect, deepen relationships, explore collaborations, and celebrate each other while working towards an equitable climate and food future.

May 18: Virtual Only Event Tickets

May 25th: Virtual & In-Person Tickets

UMaine Extension opens farm labor and compensation practices survey

Please consider participating in this survey to gather data about farm labor and compensation. The study will help researchers provide information to agricultural operators and workers about average wages and benefits that can be used in your decision making.

The survey is anonymous and takes approximately 30 minutes. Participants will have a chance to enter a drawing to win a $75 gift card to a farm outfitter (such as Tractor Supply).

To participate, follow this link to the survey to begin: https://bit.ly/2023AgLaborSurvey Please respond to the survey by 20 April 2023. 

Conservation Innovation Grants

NRCS is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) State Program funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. CIG generally funds pilot

projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research. Applications due: May 19, 2023  Applications must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

Hygienic Design for Harvesting and Handling Equipment

Three produce harvesting and handling equipment workshops will be offered in April. Come learn about how to assess the cleanability of your equipment and any modifications made to your equipment. Chris Callahan from UVM and Robson Machado from UMaine will talk about cleaning & sanitizing and equipment design considerations. A checklist will be provided that can be used to assess your own equipment.

• April 4: Wild Blueberry Growers Workshop
• April 5: Apple Growers Workshop
• April 6: Vegetable Growers Workshop

Register at the UMaine Extension Agricultural Workshop website, contact Theresa.Tilton@maine.edu or call 207-942-7396.

Open Farm Day Signup

It's time for farms to sign up for Open Farm Day; the deadline is May 1. The event is July 23. There will be a webinar April 5th at 5 pm for farms who want to learn more. RSVP here. More information and resources including how to signup for Open Farm Day 2023.

Diversification of the Syrup Industry

Syrup is most commonly produced from maples, but other types of trees can also be used. For example, there is a large birch syrup industry in Alaska and Canada, there are a handful of commercial walnut syrup producers in the U.S., and there is a commercial beech syrup producer in New York. These syrups are growing in popularity and typically sell for 4 to 6 times the price of maple syrup. Sugar maple has many advantages that make it particularly well-suited for syrup production but technologies developed to improve the efficiency of maple syrup production—such as vacuum pumps and reverse-osmosis filtration—have created possibilities for expanding to other species. Novel syrups provide consumers with new flavors and new economic opportunities for producers.

A recent UNH research report on the Diversification of the Syrup Industry detailed some preliminary results from the saps of trees other than maple that may need to utilize reverse osmosis to become feasible since they are more dilute than sugar maple sap. They did conduct taste test and willingness to purchase these alternative syrups. Read more about their research results here.  

Source: UNH INSPIRED, a publication of the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station (Winter 2023)

Organic Livestock Producer Parasite Management Survey

At UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and UC Agriculture Natural Resources Cooperative Extension, we have designed a survey aimed at cattle, sheep, or goat producers that are Certified Organic, in transition to be certified, or implementing organic practices. Our goal is to learn about: a) dewormers drugs used and the perceived efficacy, and b) integrated parasite management practices and their perceived efficacy. 

Survey results will help us to identify critical areas that need additional research or extension services related to parasites management in organic production. 

Click here to participate in the survey.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please contact the principal investigators (Dr. Alda Pires: pireslab@ucdavis.edu and Dr. Noelia Silva del Rio: nsilvadelrio@ucdavis.edu) or Teresa Miranda at teresa.fernandes.miranda@gmail.com

Swine 101: Raising Pastured Pork

This seminar will be held in multiple locations across the state, and a meal will be provided at no cost (smoked pork!). Join Dr. Colt W. Knight, UMaine Extension State Livestock Specialist, for a 2-hour primer on raising pastured pork. Topics include: breed selection, basic reproductive information, swine nutrition, fencing, housing, meat yield, and more.

Thursday, April 27, 2023. 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

• UMaine Extension Cumberland County, 75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth, Maine

More info and registration.

 The Nature Conservancy's Grazing Lands Program Survey

The purpose of this study is to validate and refine a set of indicators that are relevant and feasible for ranchers to collect and monitor, and that can support ranch management, reporting to agencies and market actors, and storytelling to consumers and the public. This survey is intended for ranch and rangeland owners, operators, and employees, and is focused on understanding current approaches and challenges to ranch planning and monitoring, as well as additional needs and approaches to monitoring that could improve long-term ranch viability. The results will be used to inform the development of the final TNC Toolbox as a resource for ranchers and other actors in the supply chain.

It will take about 20 minutes to complete and at the end of the survey you can provide your contact information to be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card. 

Click here to take the survey.