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.
Note: underlined words are linked to webpages with more information.
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Grassfed Beef in Maine: From Fence to Finish
We had a great turnout (60+) for the Grassfed Beef in Maine program. Dan and Percy lead the group around their farm to see how and when they move cattle to new paddocks using temporary portable fencing. Waters and mineral feeders are moved with the cattle. They assure cattle have access to shade in each of their paddocks. We also checked out their handling facility and they talked about assuring cattle are finished before sending to be processed. After a delicious lunch Trey talked about working with your processor, Donna talked about the importance of knowing your costs in time and dollars to produce cattle, and Colt talked about how Beef Quality Assurance Certification can assist in marketing options.
Some links of interest from the day:
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DIY On-Farm Cattle Scales
At the Grassfed Beef in Maine session last month we learned the importance of being able to weigh your cattle at your farm regularly to determine when they are ready to send to the processor. It is also important to know how big your animals are so you can use the correct dose of medication or dewormer.
Dr. Josh Jackson from the University of Kentucky explains the process of setting up a scale system for cattle facilities within the state in this video. Setting up a cattle scale system from a kit You may remember him from his visit in 2019 where he spoke at the Maine Cattlemen's College. The estimated cost at the time was ~$700.
He also produced two factsheets to go along with the video
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SASWCD Field Day: Better Soils Through Adaptive Grazing
August 11 - 9 am to 3 pm
at Moosehead Ranch, Smyrna.
With speakers Dale Strickler: Rancher & Agronomist for Green Cover Seed and
Jonas Esch, Moosehead Ranch.
Registration fee: $20, children free with local lunch provided.
207-254-4126
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Penobscot Livestock 4-H Club is once again gearing up to hold their project’s culminating event.
What: 10 top quality market steers and 11 outstanding market lambs that will be competing for the title of Grand Champion!
Where: Casa Cattle Company in Corinna will be hosting this event.
When:
- August 5th at 6 pm - Market Lamb Competition
- August 6th at 11 am - Market steer competition
- August 6th at 2 pm Market Livestock Auction - lamb and steer
These 4-Hers have been working on these animal projects for months and are excited to showcase what they have learned and grown! Please consider coming to this event to support these amazing youth!
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Practice Bio-security When Visiting Other Beef Farms |
When you visit a farm, you take the risk of contaminating that farm with disease organisms. You also take the risk of bringing pathogens back to your home farm and livestock. The pathogens (bacteria or viruses) ride along on your boots, clothing, and skin. The most practical way to prevent contamination is to wash and disinfect your footwear as well as to wash your hands.
Steps to a health-minded farm visit:
- Wear washable (waterproof) footwear.
- Wash all organic matter from boots with water, soap (if available) and a brush.
- Dip clean boots in disinfectant before entering a farm building and holding areas.
- Repeat the process before entering your vehicle.
- Wash hands thoroughly if you handled animals during your visit.
Or
- Wear plastic boot covers on your feet.
- Remove and discard the boot covers upon leaving the farm and before entering your vehicle.
- Wash hands thoroughly if you handled animals during your visit.
These precautions might seem like a hindrance at first. However, the time spent in keeping disease from your farm is worth the effort. Consider the time, money and the headaches that diseased animals bring you as a producer. Get into the habit of thinking and practicing bio-security.
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The Maine Emergency Management Agency has prepared a survey to report dry wells and guide individuals toward available opportunities for assistance if and when they become available. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports worsening dry conditions across the State of Maine, increasing the risk of private wells running dry.
Your well is likely at risk of running dry if your faucets sputter when turned on, you see discolored or muddy tap water, there is a change in taste or smell in your water, or your neighbors are reporting dry wells.
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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. |
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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 $4.39/# - direct to consumer $7.30/# to $9.19/#.)
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Publications:
Grants & Loans
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Rural Rehabilitation Trust Fund: The Division manages this dedicated revenue fund for purposes of providing policy and loan-making decisions of this fund. Investments of fund dollars go to providing low interest loans to farmers for purchasing land, or feeder cattle. The fund also provides capital improvement loans to agricultural fairs. For further information about the program contact us at (207) 287-3491 or email dacf@maine.gov .
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PFAS Testing Funds: Get full eligibility requirements and program details at this Webpage.
Equipment, supplies, etc.
Agriculture Jobs
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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.
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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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