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News and events for Maine Beef Producers from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Maine Beef Producers Association and other agricultural organizations in Maine.
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 Maine Beef Producers Association Meeting at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show
1 pm Presentations
- Disease prevention, vaccines, biosecurity and economic impact Dr. Matt Rolleston DVM, Rolleston Veterinary Services & Dr. Colt Knight, UMaine Extension Livestock Specialist.
- Virtual Farm Tour - Cedar Run Farm - Bill & Leanne Waters - Bradford, ME
3 pm MBPA Annual Meeting
- Beef Awards Presentation
- Nominations for Board of Directors
- Old Business
- New Business
- Discussion on changing the format of the spring sale at NELE to include registered animals, breeding stock, young bulls, cow/calf combos, etc.
5 pm Local Celebrity Cook Off - on the Main Floor of the Trades Show
- An evening filled with fun and surprises as guest contestants are tasked with cooking a dish with a secret "Maine" ingredient. Hint - ground meat provided by Cedar Run Farm.
- MDACF is hosting the first ever Local Celebrity Cook Off with 4 local celebrities competing head to head in a Chopped style competition. They will be given a main ingredient for their dish then be given an hour to raid the pantry of ingredients and prepare a dish to impress the judges.
- Judging will be live at 6 pm!
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Your Urgent Help Needed
The
MBPA Board acknowledges that the beef industry in Maine, especially for medium and small size farms has changed considerably over the past decade or so. The previous conditions which allowed us to have a very robust fall feeder auction with up to two hundred head no longer exists and it is for that reason that the fall auction was cancelled. Two weeks before the auction there were only 15 animals consigned so we made the difficult decision to put out the notice that there would be no fall auction. We further realize that because this was the second year that we could not get enough animals consigned to have a meaningful event, that it is unlikely that there will be fall auctions next year or in the future.
We do believe, however, that there is a need for a public sale to get buyers and sellers of animals together. The spring sale at
NELE this year was a moderate success and we would like to build on that event and even try to expand the sales and the format to include registered animals, breeding stock, young bulls, cow/calf combos, etc. We need the input all producers to try to put together a sale which people will have interest in.
Please join us at the
MBPA annual meeting at the Maine Agriculture Trade Show in Augusta on Wednesday, January 10th to join in that discussion. Also we are always looking for new board members. The only requirement is a willingness to further the Maine beef industry and be willing to meet monthly in Augusta with like minded people. (There may be an option of conference calling in to the meetings.) Contact me or any other board member for more information.
Russ Florenz, Secretary MBPA
r.jflorenz@gmail.com
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Maine's first Beginning Farmer Conference coming to 2018 Maine Agricultural
Trades Show
New and aspiring farmers will be focus of in-depth workshops
Since nearly a third of Maine's farmers identify as "beginning farmers," a coalition of agricultural agencies is stepping forward in 2018 to help them succeed in new agricultural enterprises.
The Beginning Farmer Resource Network (BFRN) will host a series of workshops and talks to help new and aspiring farmers in Maine navigate the various programs and services available to them, during the Maine Agricultural Trades Show at the Augusta Civic Center, January 9-11, 2018.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), "a beginning farmer is someone who has operated a farm for ten years or less." Since this definition is used for all USDA beginning farmer loan programs, it has become the most commonly accepted definition.
According to the latest USDA Agricultural Census, nearly one third of the farmers in Maine reported having 10 years or less of experience on their present farm.
"Starting a farm is not an easy or clear process, so we hope to really make the path much more simple and streamlined for Mainers who are still within their first decade of farming," says Tori Jackson, UMaine Extension Educator and BFRN chair. "The Beginning Farmer Resource Network of Maine is made up of twenty-five agricultural agencies and organizations who embrace that mission. We work together to expedite the opportunities for aspiring and beginning farmers, and help them connect to resources for farm business success."
The "Beginning Farmer Conference" will kick off with a free, half-day conference the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 10 at the Ag Trades Show titled, "What Does it Mean to be a 'Beginning Farmer' from 2018 to 2028." A panel of farmers and service providers will discuss the typical challenges and growth phases of the first 10 years of any farm business, followed by a talk from author and farmer Lucie B. Amundsen, of Locally Laid Egg Company, a family-run, mission-based farm in Wrenshall, Minn.
This will be followed by seven different "hands-on" workshops; three on Wednesday afternoon, two on Thursday morning and two on Thursday afternoon, covering topics like "How to Start a Specialty Food Business in Maine" and "Accessing Farm Capital." Participants should bring laptops, notebooks, and farm records to work on projects specific to their farms.
As part of this beginning farmer initiative, up to 60 beginning farmers and service providers may register to attend the luncheon and keynote at the Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets (MFFM) 10th Annual Convention at the Civic Center on Thursday, January 11th. The cost is $18. Those wishing to attend should email Lynne Hazelton at
lynne.b.hazelton@maine.edu
to pre-register.
While the BFRN conference and workshops focus on the needs of aspiring and beginning farmers, they are open to all who are interested in attending.
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Items of Interest
- UMaine Extension Livestock Facebook Page! from the UMaine Extension Livestock Team - UMaine Extension's livestock programs help producers manage renewable resources, such as soil, water, nutrients, crops, buildings, equipment, and people. Like and follow this page to be the first to learn about UMaine Extension Livestock programs, events and information. Please like, share and follow!
- Dry Weather Affecting Grass Yields . . . Again? Crop Insurance Could Help.
- Testing Forage Quality - YouTube video from UMaine Extension discusses the nutritional importance of forage quality and recommended sampling techniques.
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Featured Resources
Websites:
Grants & Loans:
Manuals/ Books
Visit the UMaine Extension Cooperative Extension online
Publications Catalog
for agriculture information, such as:
- Beef Cattle Herd Health Vaccination Guide for Maine # 1031 A herd health management plan is vital to profitable beef production. Do not wait until a disease outbreak occurs before implementing a sound herd health program. For cattle to reach their performance potential, they must be healthy. Vaccinations are an approved practice for organic producers. 5 pages. © 2014 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free or buy a color copy $0.75.
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Upcoming Events
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Maine Beef Producers Association
Join the Maine Beef Producers Association
The Maine Beef Producers Association is accepting dues for the 2018 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 go to
http://www.mainebeefproducersassociation.com/forms.html
The Maine Beef Producers Association just started a new Facebook page. Like and follow to get the fastest information from Maine Beef Producers Association.
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Newsletter Subscription Information
The Maine Beef Newsletter (MBN) is now received by over 680 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
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.
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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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Quick Links
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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/.
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Contributors
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
and
Colt Knight, Extension Livestock Specialist
Goal
The goal of the Maine Beef Newsletter is to provide timely information on the production and marketing of beef grown in Maine.
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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 by Donna Coffin unless otherwise noted.
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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 (in Maine)
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Open Mon, Thurs, Fri
8 am to 4:30 pm,
Open Appointment on Wed
, Closed Tuesday
165 East Main St.
Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207.564.3301 or 800.287.1491 (in Maine)
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Open Monday - Friday
8 am to 4:30 pm
992 Waterville Road
Waldo, ME 04915-3117
207.342.5971 or 800.287.1426 (in Maine)
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