ARTICLES

• UMaine Extension offers Small Ruminant Parasite Management and FAMACHA certification workshops.
• Fall Livestock Parasite Management Tips.
• Maine Agricultural Impact Survey.
• Farm Business Planning & Climate Resilience.

OTHER INFO

• Upcoming Events
• Resources
• Payments Grants and Loans

Changes to UMaine Extension Livestock: Our livestock team has grown, and with that comes change. The creation of this Livestock Newsletter, formally known as Cows and Crops Dairy Newsletter, will highlight Maine livestock news, events, and opportunities on a monthly basis. This new format will provide information for small ruminant, poultry, beef, dairy, equine and all other livestock producers. Thank you to our dedicated Cows and Crops readers for making the switch with us, and welcome to our new readers! If at any time you would like to unsubscribe, please send us an email at extension-livestock-news@maine.edu

UMaine Extension Offers Small Ruminant Parasite Management and FAMACHA Certification Workshops

Producers of small ruminants (i.e., sheep, goats, llamas, and alpacas) are invited to attend workshops to learn about common parasites and their management. Additionally, equine owners might find some benefit from lectures and activities, as parasite resistance and pasture management are similar to small ruminants. Hands-on activities, such as performing a fecal egg count on a microscope and practicing the FAMACHA protocol on live animals, will teach producers how to identify parasites to make informed management decisions. Farmers are encouraged to bring a fresh fecal sample from one sheep or goat to examine. Participants will become FAMACHA certified and can purchase an anemia index card at the workshop upon certification. Light refreshments will be provided. This is part of a larger parasite and disease management series in collaboration with Maine Dept. of Agriculture. Dates and times vary:

• November 17th, 20204 from 9:00 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. at Wolfe’s Neck Center, 184 Burnett Rd, Freeport, ME
• November 24th, 2024 from 9:00 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. at the Hancock County Extension Office, 63 Boggy Brook Rd., Ellsworth, ME
• April 19th, 2025 from 12:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. at Foxcroft Veterinary Services,1441 Dexter Rd, Dover-Foxcroft, ME
• April 2025 TBD at UMaine Machias,116 Obrien Ave, Machias, ME

The cost of the workshop is on a sliding scale from $50-$80. Registration can be found on the program web page:

https://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/sheep-and-goats/small-ruminant-parasite-management/

Equine owners interested in this workshop should contact Dr. Rachel White before registering at rachel@maine.edu or 207-667-8212.

Fall Livestock Parasite Management Tips 

By Dr. Rachel White, Assistant Extension Professor

November is a busy time for farmers. We’re prepping for winter, recording fall breedings, ensuring we have enough winter feed, and so much more. Fall is also an important time to monitor for parasites and treat accordingly. Climate change has extended the shoulder seasons which results in prolonged wet and warm weather. This means that the conditions are favorable for extended parasite lifecycles and the effects from heavy worm burdens may be observed going into winter. Here are a few tips to set you up for successful deworming. 

• Check FAMACHA scores (for barber pole worm in small ruminants), body condition scores, and weigh animals.
• Run fecal egg counts on your herd or flock for 15-20 animals (or all animals in small herds). Consult your vet for treatment recommendations and perform a recount after 2 weeks post-treatment to check for presence of resistant worms.
• Deworm after a lasting hard frost. 
• Ensure that dewormers (and other medications) are up-to-date and have been stored properly. 
• Examine animals for- and treat- external parasites like lice and mites.
• Make a plan for the next grazing season that includes limiting livestock parasite exposure on pastures.

Maine Agricultural Impact Survey

You are invited to participate in a survey being conducted by UMaine Extension staff. The research aims to survey Maine farmers to ensure we provide relevant and applicable programming to your farming goals. You must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Please help us measure the usefulness of our programs to you!

To access the survey, click here. It will take you less than 10 minutes, and your responses will significantly help our extension programming!!

Farm Business Planning & Climate Resilience

Farming for the Long-Haul: This is a two-year business planning program for experienced farmers that combines technical assistance, peer learning, and an opportunity to apply for a grant to implement your business plan. Farming for the Long Haul is for farmers who want to build financial planning skills and dive deep into a business plan that considers long-term viability to increase confidence in your business. In this competitive program, you will explore what long-term viability looks like for your business. 

Applications are open until November 21st.

Business of farming: This one-year business planning program for farmers combines workshops, follow-up technical assistance, and a small grant to implement new learning. This program is for experienced farmers who want to analyze their business model and use the information for decision-making. Drawing on a panel of business experts from around the state and other growers, we’ll uncover the story your financial records are telling you and develop your ability to make strategic business decisions that move you toward your goals. 

Applications are open until December 17th.

Climate Adaptation Planning: Through the Climate Adaptation Planning program, MFT staff work with farmers to develop holistic climate adaptation plans for their farms over the course of three months. The planning process will identify and prioritize potential strategies, set short-, medium-, and long-term goals for the farm, and connect farms with necessary expertise and other strategic resources. Once farms complete their plans, they can apply for a mini-grant for a $5,000 plan implementation.

Applications are open until December 17th.

For more information, you can contact Savannah Eades at seades@mainefarmlandtrust.org

York County Soil Health Day

Healthy soil is critical for healthy, productive crops. This workshop will provide growers with practice guidance to address their soil health concerns, and to build healthier soils for long-term success. Topics will include cover cropping, farming in clay, and accessing state and federal resources to confront soil challenges. This event will also feature a farmer panel discussing soil health strategies for climate resiliency. Join us for an engaging day of learning and networking!

Friday December 13, 2024

9:00 AM – 1:45 PM

University of Maine Cooperative Extension York County Office

45 Kennebunk Rd, Alfred, ME 04002

Breakfast Pastries, coffee, and Lunch included

Representatives from Maine Farmland Trust, Natural Resources

Conservation Service, UMaine Extension, Maine Wellness Programs, Farm

Credit East, and Northeast SARE will be available with information for

growers.

Cost for attendance is a sliding scale of $10-$15-$20

Please follow this link for more information and to register by December 9: https://extension.umaine.edu/york/event/soil-health-day

• Maine Forage Conference. November 8, 9:00 AM - 2:15 PM. Waterville (ME).
• UMaine Parasite Management & FAMACHA certification Workshop Series. November 17 and 24, 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM. Freeport and Ellsworth (ME).
• Planning Your Farm’s Future Workshop. December 3, 2024. Auburn (ME).
• Planning Your Farm’s Future Workshop. December 12, 2024. Farmington (ME).
• 9th National Grazing Lands Conference. December 4-6, 2024. Tucson (AZ).

Animal Health Hub

• Bulletin #1003, Preventing Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Virus in Maine
• West Nile Virus (WNV) and Poultry
• ME Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry EEE news issue (2023) 
• ME Center for Disease Control Vectorborne Disease Resources

Fact Sheets, Websites, Videos, Etc.

• Listen to our lastest episode on the Maine Farmcast
• UMaine Dairy and Beef
• UMaine Equine
• UMaine Forages and Pastures
• UMaine Poultry
• UMaine Small Ruminants
• UMaine Swine
• UMaine PFAS and Maine Food System

Maine Farm Sitters Course: Determining Farm Animal Health

Maine Farm Sitters Course: Biosecurity Tips and Tools

Soil Samples Part One: Gathering Your Sample

Soil Samples Part Two: Filling out Your Form and Understanding Your Results

How to Test Forage Quality

Positions Available

• Livestock Operations Manager

• Dairy Product Trade Show Assistance Grant: $5,000-$20,000. August-November 2024.
• Farmer Grant Program: $5,000-$30,000. November 2024.
• On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant: $15,000-$50,000. October-December 2024.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Androscoggin & Sagadahoc Counties

24 Main St, Lisbon Falls, ME 04252 or (207) 353 - 5550 or (800) 287- 1458

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Aroostook County

34 Armory Rd, Suite 101 Fort Kent, ME 04743 or (207) 843 - 3905 or (800) 287 - 1421

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57 Houlton Rd , Houlton Rd, Presque Isle, ME 04769 or (207) 764-3361 or (800) 287 - 1462

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18 Military St, Houlton, ME 04730 or (207) 532-6548 or (800) 287 - 1469

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Cumberland County

75 Clearwater Dr, Suite 104, Falmouth, ME 04105 or (207) 781-6099 or (800) 287-1471

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Frankin County

138 Pleasant St, Suite #1, Farmington, ME 04938 or (207) 778 - 4650 or (800) 287-1478

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Hancock County

63 Boggy Brook Rd, Ellsworth, ME 04605 or (207) 667-8212 or (800) 287 - 1479

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Kennebec County

125 State St, 3rd Floor, Augusta, ME 04330 or (207) 622-7546 or (800) 287-1481

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Knox & Lincoln Counties

377 Manktown Rd, Waldoboro, ME 04572 or (207) 832 - 0343 or (800) 244 - 2104

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Oxford County

9 Olson Rd, South Paris, ME 04281or (207) 743 - 6329 or (800) 287-1482

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Penobscot County

307 Maine Ave Bangor, ME 04401 (207) 942-7396 or (800) 287-1485

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Piscataquis Count

165 East Main St, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 or (207) 564-3301 or (800) 287-1491 

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Somerset County

7 County Dr, Skowhegan, ME 04976 or (207) 474 - 9622 or (800) 287 - 1495

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Waldo County

992 Waterville Rd, Waldo, ME 04915 or (207) 342 - 5971 or (800) 287- 1426

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Washington County

University of Maine Machias Campus, O'Brien House,116 O'Brien Ave, Machias, ME 04654

or (207) 324-2814 or (800) 287 - 1535

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: York County

15 Oak St, Springvale, ME 04083 or (207) 324-2814 or (800) 287 - 1535

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In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System). 11/22