Maine Weather and Climate

With the passage of Friday’s storm, cold air is forecast to spread across the state briefly on Saturday before warm flow then brings moderate temperatures with highs ranging mid 30s to around 20°F, south to north. Highs on Sunday are forecast to be several degrees warmer, as a warm wave develops into Monday bringing temperatures into the 40s with a chance of rain and snow showers.  The active weather pattern is forecast to continue with the possibility of another storm toward the end of the week. Temperatures during the week will be generally near or above normal for this time of year. However, a cold wave could develop next weekend. Check weather.gov for the latest weather forecast for your area. For winter weather information refer to the National Weather Service (NWS) Caribou and Gray forecast office pages.

The NWS Climate Prediction Center 8–14 day outlook probability maps for February 23 – March 1 (issued February 15) show likely below normal temperature and a lean toward above normal precipitation. The one-month outlook for March (issued February 16) leans toward below normal temperature and equal chance of above or below normal precipitation. Looking further out, the three-month seasonal outlook for March–May (issued February 16) leans toward above normal temperature and equal chance of above or below normal precipitation.

Hydrology: The Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard shows that streamflow and groundwater levels are normal or above normal statewide, and recent significant snowstorms have brought snowpack to near normal for this time of year statewide. Visit the NWS Regional Snow Analysis to see the latest snow depth and other related maps.

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

Land for Maine's Future: Applications Being Accepted

The Working Farmland Access and Protection Program (WFAPP) provides funding to protect Maine’s productive and economically significant agricultural lands. On these protected properties, WFAPP encourages agricultural practices that support soil health, carbon sequestration, and the long-term productivity of protected farmland.

WFAPP also seeks to protect properties that support farming operations in areas of the State that support and anchor a viable agricultural economy, that benefit beginning farmers or under-served communities, and that provide multiple public benefits such as protection of wildlife habitat.

Learn more about the program here. All projects must be sponsored by the Bureau of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources and interested applicants should contact BAFRR staff before proceeding with their application.

Northeastern Dairy Product Innovation Competition



Win up to $75K to bring your innovative dairy product to market. The Northeastern Dairy Product Innovation Competition is open to innovators working to develop new value-added dairy products using milk and/or dairy ingredients produced in the Northeast.

In this competition, up to 10 innovators will receive $20K in participant support, as well as business incubation services such as product prototyping and optimization, food safety and compliance training, and help developing a business plan for bringing products to market. Of these 10 innovators, up to three will be selected to receive an additional $55K and given a presence at the 2023 Dairy Innovation Showcase at the 2023 Grow-NY Summit in Upstate New York. Apply now.

Possible Crop Damage from Recent Cold Snap: Tree Fruit, Small Fruit and Grapes

Attention Growers of Tree Fruit, Small Fruit, and Grapes: The cold snap that occurred here in the northeast on February 3-4, 2023 MAY have caused you to sustain crop injury on tree fruit, small fruit, and grapes. Your insurance agent needs to be contacted ASAP. Contact them EVEN IF you aren’t sure if you have damage since you won’t know immediately if those buds have been damaged. If you have crop insurance or NAP coverage please read this warning from UMass Extension, Center for Agriculture:

NOTE FROM UMASS EXTENSION, CENTER FOR AGRICULTURE

Growing Small Fruit on Your Farm – Online Course



The “Growing Small Fruit on Your Farm” course will teach you the best cultural practices for raising small fruit crops in Maine, including strawberries, raspberries, and high-bush blueberries. All of these crops can work well both in the home garden and on commercial farms, but proper planning and preparation are crucial to their success. This course will illustrate the essential steps needed to make your berry planting a rewarding experience. We will cover how to choose the best site, what to look for in plant varieties, preparing the soil, planting, fertilizing, pruning, and pest management. Instructor: Dr. David Handley, UMaine Extension

Bill introduced to Fund Research and Mitigation of Spotted Wing Drosophila

U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Gary Peters (D-MI) have introduced legislation to establish the Spotted Wing Abatement Trust (SWAT) ACT, which would fund the research and mitigation of SWD. “The SWAT Act, if passed by Congress, will provide needed resources in the fight against a novel invasive pest insect, the spotted wing drosophila. The funding it allocates could help support ongoing work at the University of Maine to develop cost-effective sustainable pest management strategies to combat this invasive insect." said Eric Venturini, Executive Director of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine.

The full press release can be found here.

Swine 101 Course Registration Open



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. Register online.

Maine Vegetable and Fruit School Announced



March 29, August Maine: This day-long school is sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association. Lunch will be provided. More info including agenda and registration.

Dairy Financial Tri-state Workshops



This is a two-day event where you will learn how to calculate your farm's cost of production and improve economic viability. Learn how to interpret your current financial status and evaluate opportunities for improvement. Lunch and materials provided at no cost to attendees. More info and to register.

ServSafe® Certification



University of Maine Cooperative Extension can help you achieve your ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certification. This nationally-recognized certification is for anyone working in the food industry, including non-profit organizations. UMaine Extension offers an 8-hour ServSafe® training using the latest 7th Edition with 2017 FDA Food Code Update and exam proctoring.

Date: Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 (March 8th snow date)

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: UMaine Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County 75 Clearwater Dr., Suite 104, Falmouth

Cost: $140.00 for course and exam, registration deadline February 21st

For more information or to register, click here.

Wild Blueberry Conference

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host its annual wild blueberry conference on Feb. 25 from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. An industry soiree will follow the conference from 4–7 p.m. with value-added vendors, dinner and keynote speaker Amanda Beal, commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

The conference fee is $0–$50 sliding scale; registration is required. Register and find the agenda on the event webpage. Pesticide credits will be available. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Mary Michaud, 207.581.3175; mary.j.michaud@maine.edu

Funding for Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices

Maine is slated to receive more than $3.5 million in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) allocations for Fiscal Year 2023 financial and technical assistance under its signature conservation programs through the NRCS.

These funds will provide direct climate mitigation benefits and will expand access to financial and technical assistance for producers to advance conservation on their farm, ranch, or forest land through practices like cover cropping, conservation tillage, wetland restoration, prescribed grazing, nutrient management, tree planting and more.

NRCS accepts producer applications for its conservation programs year-round, but producers interested in EQIP or CSP should apply by March 17, 2023, for funding consideration in the current cycle. 

For more information contact your local NRCS Field Office in Maine.

Greenhouse Best Practices Workshop

Feb. 28, 2023

8:30 am to 4 pm

Skillins Greenhouses, 89 Foreside Road, Falmouth, ME

Cost: $40, lunch will be provided

For greenhouse owners, growers, managers, employees and anyone else involved with greenhouse growing in Maine.

Speakers include Duncan Pfaehler with DACF who will speak about all things PFAS in the greenhouse, Alicyn Smart with UMCE will speak about plant diseases and management and Jonathan Ebba with UNH Extension will speak about properly calibrating equipment. The day will also include a tour of Skillins Greenhouses and opportunities for hands on learning. 

3 pesticides applicator recertification credits

Contact Hillary.Peterson@maine.gov for details or go to this link to register.

Status of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Maine

The risk for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) remains high in Maine, and backyard flock and commercial operators are urged to prevent contact between domestic and wild birds by bringing them indoors and ensuring their outdoor areas are fully enclosed.

Last updated: February 8, 2023

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a highly contagious virus that can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including through wild birds, contact with infected poultry, equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers.

OTC Antibiotics for Livestock Moving to Prescription Only

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) plan for supporting veterinary antimicrobial stewardship will be fully implemented in 2023 when all remaining over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotics are switched to prescription-only status. The medically important antibiotics (used by humans and animals) becoming prescription only include injectable tylosin, injectable and intramammary penicillin, injectable and oral tetracycline, sulfadimethoxine and sulfamethazine, and cephapirin and cephapirin benzathine intramammary tubes. In addition, lincomycin and gentamicin swine antibiotics’ OTC status is switching to prescription only.

Vaccines, dewormers, injectable and oral nutritional supplements, ionophores, pro/prebiotics and topical non-antibiotic treatments will not require veterinary prescription.

Farmers who have a Veterinary Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) may purchase antibiotics directly from their veterinarian or from a distributor with the vet’s prescription. A VCPR exists when vet:

• has been engaged by the client
• assumed responsibility for making medical judgements regarding the health of the patient
• has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate a preliminary diagnosis of patient and has personal knowledge of the keeping and care of the patient
• is readily available for follow-up evaluation and continuing care and treatment

If you don’t have a farm veterinarian the Maine Veterinary Medical Association has a “Find a Vet” tab that can help you find one.

Horse Care Survey and Cattle Care Survey

Clemson University Senior invites horse and cattle keepers to participate in the study.

Participation in the survey is voluntary, and all responses are completely anonymous and should take about 5-10 minutes to complete. If you have any study-related questions, please contact Dr. Elliot Ennis at ege@clemson.edu.

Horse Care Survey: 

https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bC9MLVeT6ZZN9u6 

Cattle Care Survey: 

https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9XCveqXsV2JPtqu

Survey on Coop Design and Frostbite in Chickens

A a sophomore in high school in central Maine doing a Science fair project for school on how frostbite affects chickens and the proper structure of a coop to protect them from the cold.

If you could take a moment to answer the questions in this Google form it would be very helpful for their project.