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INFORMATION FOR LIVESTOCK KEEPERS
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Maine Weather and Drought Outlook | Beneficial rainfall across much of the state September 5–6 brought some improvement to soil moisture and streamflows in drought affected areas in southwestern Maine. However, as reflected in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, map moderate (D1) and severe (D2) drought persists across the midcoast region. As reported (pages 7–8) by the Maine Drought Task Force, York County is now eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) through a Secretarial Disaster Designation due to being adjacent to a New Hampshire county with D2 conditions exceeding 8 weeks. Information on the EIDL program is provided on the Drought Task Force website. The Maine Dry Well Survey shows 91 reports this year as of September 10, with more than half of the dry wells being in Cumberland, York, Kennebec, and Lincoln counties. Additional drought information can be found on the Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard. | |
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The NOAA/NWS forecast for this weekend shows seasonably cool temperatures (40s–60s °F), including a frost advisory Saturday morning for northwestern Maine, and an approaching weather system that is expected to bring rainfall Sunday, and then chance of additional rainfall Monday and Tuesday. Recent forecast cycles show beneficial rainfall statewide. A cold wave could develop toward the end of the week with morning low temperatures in the 30s and 40s and daytime highs in the 50s. Local weather forecasts are available at weather.gov.
The NOAA/National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center 8–14 day outlook probability maps (issued September 14, valid September 22–28) show leaning toward above normal temperature and near normal precipitation. The 1-month outlook probability maps for October (issued September 15) show leaning toward above normal temperature and equal chance of above of below normal precipitation.
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
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Pesticide Safety, Labels and Worker Protection Standard Virtual Recertification Meeting
The Maine Board of Pesticides Control in cooperation with UMaine Cooperative Extension will be hosting a virtual recertification meeting on September 27 from 1:00-4:00 PM.
If you need recertification credits for your agricultural basic applicator or private pesticide applicator license then here is a chance to earn three credits.
Pre-registration and completion of a quiz at the end of the meeting are both required. This meeting will cover general pesticide safety, reading labels and complying with the Worker Protection Standard.
Register Here.
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Obsolete Pesticide Collection
Each October, the Maine Board of Pesticides Control conducts a program to collect and properly dispose of banned and unusable pesticides from homeowners and farms. Preregistration is required and collections are held at four sites across the state.
The next collection will be held during October 2022, one day each in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta, and Portland. More details coming soon. Registrations for the October 2022 collection must be submitted by September 26
More information about the program may be found at Obsolete Pesticide Collection
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Northeast SARE Farmer Grower Grants
Northeast SARE offers grants to farmers to explore new concepts in sustainable agriculture conducted through experiments, surveys, prototypes, on-farm demonstrations or other research and education techniques. Farmer Grant projects address issues that affect farming with long-term sustainability in mind.
Competitive proposals explore new ideas and techniques or apply known ideas in new ways or with new communities. Reviewers look to fund projects that are well-designed to meet proposed objectives and promise the greatest benefit to farming communities.
A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, climate-smart agriculture practices, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more.
More information is available here
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UNH Seeking Commercial Farmers Who Want to Trial Advanced Selections of Kiwiberry
The University of New Hampshire Kiwiberry Research and Breeding Program is now 10 years old, and we have nearly 20 advanced breeding lines ready for multi-locational testing. We’re looking for 25 farmers across the northeast who are interested in participating in a grant-funded project that will support participatory evaluation of these potential new varieties, starting Spring 2023. If you are a current or aspiring kiwiberry producer, have an interest in new varieties, wish to receive more technical training, and have room for at least 12 vines, please email the project leader, Dr. Iago Hale (iago.hale@unh.edu).
Just an FYI that hardy kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta) are on the invasive watchlist for Maine so you should consider the invasive potential and possible impacts to your local ecosystem before planting. Evaluate your long-term ability to monitor and manage these very aggressive vines and reliably harvest fruits before wildlife can get to them.
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Why Are You Seeking Out Farm Training?” 2022 New Farmer Survey Results
According to the USDA, new and beginning farmers are people who have been farming for less than 10 years. The responses to this survey came from every county in Maine.
There were responses from every adult age bracket with the highest percentage (25%) in the 35-44 range. 71 percent of the respondents self-identified as women, 15% were veterans or in active military service, 71% self-identified as white, and 16% self-identified as having a disability.
The top challenges identified included production risk and costly inputs/labor. Top opportunities included direct-to-consumer marketing and ‘capitalizing on consumer willingness to pay for specific product traits’.
UMaine Extension educators will use the survey results to design farm trainings. These trainings will be based on the interests and needs of new and beginning farmers.
Click here to see all survey results.
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Meetings - Webinars - Upcoming Events | |
USDA Funding Announcements | |
Information for Animal Keepers | |
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Pasture Walk @ Wolfe's Neck Center, September 20, 2022
Co-hosted by UMaine Cooperative Extension and Wolfes Neck Center
Topics covered: PaddockTrac demonstration, pasture reseeding, no-till drill trial, soil health and WNC research update. Featured Speaker Jason Lilley, UMaine Extension
Location: Wolfe's Neck Center Dairy Farm
184 Burnett Rd, Freeport, ME 04032
Cost: Free. Water and milk provided. Bring your own lunch. Plastic boots will be provided for biosecurity.
Advanced registration by Monday September 19th, 2022. Register
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USDA Ag Marketing Service
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Edited by:
Brett Johnson, Extension Professional,
Nick Rowley, Extension Professional,
Chris Howard, New Farms Project
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Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.
Photos by Edwin Remsberg and others.
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University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Penobscot County
307 Maine Ave Bangor, ME 04401 207-942-7396 or 800-287-1485
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Piscataquis County
207-564-3301 or 800-287-1491
Donna Coffin - Voicemail 207-262-7726
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Cumberland County
(207) 781-6099 or 1-800-287-1471
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Oxford County
207.743.6329 or 1.800.287.1482
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Androscoggin / Sagadahoc Counties
207.353.5550 or 1.800.287.1458
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The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System). | | | | | |
