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. |
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What's New?
- MBPA Feeder Auction Canceled
- Call for Nominations for Annual Beef Awards
- Maine Beef Producers Association Board
- Ideas for Beef Educational Session
- Agriculture Infrastructure Investment Grant Program
- Emergency Broadband Benefit
- Affordable Digital Equipment
- Upcoming Events
- Calves for Kids
- Maine Beef Producers Association Membership
- 2022 Scholarship from the Maine Beef Producers Association
- FACT's Fund-A-Farmer-Grant
- SARE Farmer to Serve on AC
- National Beef Prices
- Items of Interest
- Featured Resources
- Newsletter Subscription Information
- Mission of Newsletter and Quick Links
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MBPA Feeder Auction Cancelled |
Due to a lack of feeder consignments, the 2021 fall feeder auction and pen sale is canceled. We regret if anyone was depending on the auction for the sale of or the purchase of feeders or breeding stock. The MBPA webpage will continue to be open to anyone looking for or selling feeder or breeding animals. Contact: sales@mainebeefproducersassociation.com for more information. |
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Call for Nominations for Annual Beef Awards |
Every year since 1989 the Maine Beef Producers Association gives out five awards to farms or individuals who have been outstanding in the beef industry.
Maine Beef Producers Association Awards Criteria
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Seedstock Producer - A farm operation honored for their accomplishments in the breeding and marketing of purebred seedstock.
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Beef Producer - A farm or individual recognized for the production of consistently high quality beef cattle marketed as feeder cattle, fed cattle, or direct-market beef.
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Youth - A person under the age of 21 recognized for their beef production and promotion accomplishments.
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Service - An individual or organization recognized for their distinguished service to Maine beef producers.
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Hall of Fame - Awarded to an individual, a farm operation, or an organization honored for making a significant contribution to beef production in Maine.
The MBPA is asking for nominations for these beef awards. When completing your nomination please make sure to include your contact information, contact information for the person you are nominating, what award you are nominating them for and why you think they are deserving of the award.
Nomination deadline is November 9th.
Awards will be presented on January 12th at the MBPA meeting at the Maine Ag Trades Show at the Augusta Civic Center.
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Maine Beef Producers Association Board
Current Board Officers include:
President: Dana Brown
Vice President: Open
Secretary: Russ Florenz
Treasurer: Sally Caverly
Current Board Members:
Term Expiring 2023: Iris Guimond, Johnathan Tibbetts, and Russ Florenz
Term Expiring 2022: Billy Waters (2nd Term), Barry Higgings
Term Expiring 2021: Dana Brown (2nd Term), Jess Caron, Evan Putnam
The Penobscot County Extension Office, 307 Maine Ave, Bangor, ME will be the in-person Dec. 9 meeting site. If you plan to attend live you must contact Donna Coffin at donna.coffin@maine.edu or 207-262-7726.
Note that since this is a UMaine Extension facility, face masks and social distancing are required. Masks will be available. Also, if you don't feel well, please stay home.
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Ideas for Beef Educational Session
Help the MBPA & UMaine Extension decide on topics for the January 12, 2022 Beef Educational Session at the Agriculture Trades Show in Augusta.
- Using minerals/feed additives for your beef herd.
- Building your own smokehouse to enjoy your own meat.
- Beef farm profile - what farm would you like to hear more about?
- Beef under solar panels - how does it work?
- How to get started selling cuts of meat?
- Information for a new beef producer
- The latest in pasture management
- How to keep track of production and financial records
- Cutting feed costs
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Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program
The Agriculture Infrastructure Investment (AII) Program is a Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan initiative created to help Maine farmers and food processors upgrade aging infrastructure. It's backed by $20 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
AII funding will be available for Maine farms, agricultural food producers, and food processing businesses to support a number of activities, including:
- Capital improvements including modifications to existing buildings and/or construction of new buildings at existing facilities;
- Upgrades to utilities (including water, electric, heat, refrigeration, freezing, and waste facilities);
- Growing, processing, and manufacturing equipment and construction;
- Packaging and handling equipment; and
- Technology that allows increased capacity or business resilience (including software and hardware related to business functions, logistics, inventory management, and plant production and monitoring controls
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The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
Eligible households must both apply for the program and contact a participating provider to select a service plan.
A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
- Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
- Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
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Affordable Digital Equipment
Low-cost or free computers and devices are often just as important as having access to low-cost internet options, particularly for people in low-income communities.
The National Digital Equity Center’s Affordable Equipment Program provides no cost or low cost tablets to Maine Residents who are of low to moderate income.
They also can provide training on how to use the equipment, starting with phone consultations and working up to Zoom sessions.
Their site includes a number of valuable videos on Internet use and safety.
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- Nov. 16: Deadline for NE-SARE Farmer Grant applications
- Nov 17: Forage Quality and the Modern Dairy Cow ,UNH Webinar, 11 am to 12:30 pm
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Nov 18: Agricultural Solar Stakeholder Group Meeting 9 am. Online. FMI Tom Gordon, MDACF, Tel. 207-592-3584.
- Nov 22: Forage and Cover Crop Research, UNH Webinar. 11 am to 12:30 pm
- Dec. 1: Managing Difficult Weeds in Forages, UNH Webinar, 11 am to 12:30 pm
- Dec. 6: Deadline for Farms for the Future Phase 1 Grant MDACF
- Dec. 6 - 9: National Grazing Lands Conference, SC
- Dec. 9: Deadline for MBPA Award Nominations
- Dec. 9 MBPA Board Meeting, 6:30 pm. Zoom and live. This meeting is open to all. For Zoom link contanct info@mainebeef producersassociation.com The Penobscot County Extension Office, 307 Maine Ave, Bangor, ME will be a live site. If you plan to attend live you must contact Donna Coffin at donna.coffin@maine.edu or 207-262-7726. Note that face masks and social distancing are required. Masks will be available.
- Jan. 11 to 13, 2022: Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Currently planned as in-person event at the Civic Center in Augusta. You are welcome to share ideas for the show on the website.
- Jan. 12, 2022 Beef Educational programs 1 pm to 3 pm at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show. Vote for topics here.
- Jan. 12, 2022 MBPA Annual Meeting 3 pm to 4 pm at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show
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The MBPA website has information about the association, the board of directors, and forms for awards, activities, and sales.
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.
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
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The Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) competitive grant program is open and awards grants to working, independent farmers located in the U.S. who raise beef cattle, bison, broiler chickens, dairy cows, ducks, geese, goats, laying hens, pigs, sheep and/or turkeys.
Grants of up to $3,000 are available to farmers to improve and expand pasture for their animals, as well as those who are seeking or who already hold one of three animal welfare certifications. Application deadline: January 20, 2022.
Maine Beef Farms Receiving FACT Grants
- Apple Creek Farm in Bowdoinham, in 2016, installed water line, hoses, float valves and watering tubs in their two largest pastures to allow greater flexibility in pasture rotations and ensure that animals have reliable access to water. In 2018 they purchased a livestock guardian dog to protect chickens and turkeys with a second grant.
- Martin Woods Farm in Starks purchased run-in shed and watering equipment for beef cattle on pasture. (2021)
- Misty Brook Farm in Albion procured several rolls of ElectroNet fencing for pasture to protect animals from predators with a grant in 2012, and constructed deep litter winter housing for their pastured laying hens with a second grant in 2014.
- N bar A Ranch in Harmony constructed a 3-sided, roofed shelter to protect beef cattle during inclement weather in order to become Certified AWA. (2020)
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SARE Farmer to Serve on AC
The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE) is seeking a farmer to serve on its 20-member Administrative Council (AC), the leadership committee that provides program oversight, grant proposal evaluation and internal policy guidance. SARE offers grants and education to farmers, educators, service providers, researchers and others to address key issues affecting the sustainability of agriculture throughout our region.
The open seat on the AC is one of four that represents farmers. Northeast SARE is especially interested in having the perspective of Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) farmers represented on the AC and encourages BIPOC farmers and growers to consider applying.
Interested individuals should email a letter describing their interest in serving on the AC, a resume, and a profile of their farm (preferably submitted as a single PDF) to Northeast SARE director Vern Grubinger at vernon.grubinger@uvm.edu by no later than by December 3, 2021,
Candidates must be farming in the Northeast region (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, or Washington, D.C.). They should understand and support sustainable agriculture and appreciate the need for a range of approaches to research and education to serve different types of farmers and communities engaged in diverse agricultural activities in the region.
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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 $3.85/# - direct to consumer $7.44/# to $9.02/#.) Also includes grazing fees per AUM for 17 state survey ($20/AUM.)
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Information
Grants & Loans
Equipment, supplies, etc.
- No-Till Drill available to Maine Grass Farmers Network members.
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Maine Hay Directory - is available to help farmers with hay to sell and farmers looking for hay to buy. Be cautious of hay scams. FARMERS WITH HAY AVAILABLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO UPDATE THEIR LISTING NOW. Either call (207) 342-5971, email billiejo.pendleton@maine.edu, or mail updates to Waldo County Extension Office, 992 Waterville Rd, Belfast, ME 04915.
Agriculture Jobs
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Maine Beef Producers Association |
Join the Maine Beef Producers Association.
The Maine Beef Producers Association is accepting dues for the 2021 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
The Maine Beef Producers Association has a Facebook page. Like and follow to get the fastest information from Maine Beef Producers Association. Facebook
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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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