University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Piscataquis Farming Newsletter 

Volume 8 Number 7July 2010
In This Issue
Before You Burn Your Blueberry Fields
NY Small Dairy Innovators
Weed of the Month
Buttercups in Hay, Are They Poisonous?
Building Your Online Presence
Survey Finds Attitude, Goals Impact Farmers' Income
Low-Cost Cold Storage Room
Handbook for SNAP
Supper and Silent Auction for Linda Whitten
Featured Extension Publications
Goal
 
The goal of the Piscataquis Farming Newsletter is to provide timely information on the production and marketing of crops and livestock grown in Piscataquis County.  Upcoming events and programs of interest will also be included.
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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.
Local Weather Anytime
Many farming activities are driven by the weather. Our local National Weather Service in Caribou as meteorologists onstaff 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 www.weather.org/ caribou
Quick Links
 Before You Burn Your Blueberry Fields, Please Confirm if You Have Valdensinia Leaf Spot!
 
There are multiple fungi that can produce leaf spots or dead patches on leaves in both prune and crop fields. One of those is the Valdensinia leaf spot, but I have seen other diseases that also produce leaf spot symptoms showing up now in Maine.  Please do NOT assume if you have leaf spots or dead leaves it is the Valdensinia leaf spot.  Other problems and pathogens can cause the same symptoms on the plant.  You may be spending time and money burning an area you do not need to.
 
Please confirm with Dave Yarborough or myself that you have Valdensinia leaf spot before you burn your field.  It can be tricky to distinguish between the different problems and pathogens causing leaf spots on blueberries.

I will come to your field or look at samples and determine if you really have the Valdensinia leaf spot.   I also want to collect samples of this disease from fields to determine if it is one individual fungus spreading around Maine, or if it is coming in from multiple places, or if it is in wild, unmanaged blueberries. This information will help to determine how we can control its spread in the future.
 
I and Dave Yarborough can be reached at the Blueberry hotline number 1- 800 - 897- 0757. 
Thank you for your help,
Seanna Annis
Blueberry Pathologist
 
Source: June 16, 2010 email from Seanna Annis. 
 NY Small Dairy Innovators: Successful Strategies for Smaller Dairies
The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce the publication of a new book of profiles "NY Small Dairy Innovators: Successful Strategies for Smaller Dairies" The book features 7 small dairies all over NYS that have found methods of increasing profit and leisure time even in the face of a very challenging time for the dairy industry.   The book is the first of many new resources the Small Farms Program is planning for small dairy producers by way of a new Small Dairy Workteam. Download the profiles here or order a free copy by e-mailing our student intern Annie Bass at arb258@cornell.edu 
 
Source: Cornell Small Farms Program Monthly Update, June 15, 2010
Yellow Rattlebox Weed Weed of the Month 
Hay farmers have noticed this weed in their fields. It is the Yellow Rattlebox (Rhinanthus Crista-galli).  It may be found in areas that the grass and legumes are struggling to grow.  Management practices that encourage grass and other forages to grow will crowd out this weed. Timely harvest of hay, soil testing and application of needed plant nutrients  will help make forages more competitive.  Broadleaf herbicides may be a choice if this weed can't be controlled.  Reseeding through frost seeding or tillage may be necessary if there are no desirable plants growing in the area. We have a number of fact sheets on growing grasses & legumes and bring back old hayfield that may be helpful.
 Buttercups In Hay, Are They Poisonous?
I seem to be getting a number of these calls lately. Farmers are concerned that the buttercups in their hayfields might be poisonous to their horses.  The fresh buttercups are known to be a poisonous plant although their acrid taste and burning of the mouth prevents animals from ingesting large quantities.  If horses have access to adequate forage they will not eat the buttercups in a pasture. Once air-dried as in hay the plants are nontoxic.
 
Bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus) is a naturalized herb. The volatile chemical protoanemonin is an irritant. Ingesting fresh parts of this plant has poisoned cattle, swine, and humans. Ranunculin, a glycoside, occurs in the juice of the fresh buttercups. Upon chewing, a plant enzyme is released that converts ranunculin to protoanemonin.  Protoanemonin, a volatile oil, is an irritant that can cause blisters and other problems when ingested
 
If you have questions about other poisonous plants the following sites can be helpful. 
 Building Your Online Presence  (June 2010 archived webinar)
 
University of Nebraska Extension Educator Connie Hancock discusses strategies to manage the constant flow of information and content as you connect with a larger on-line audience. This webinar covers strategies for engaging customers in on-line and in-person conversations that will enhance their connection to your farm and build their loyalty to your products. To view the webinar recording, go to Building Your Online Presence Webinar recording. 
 
The webinar uses a program called "Elluminate Live!" that will download after you click to accept. The University of Vermont originated this webinar and others that are listed on the above site.
Survey Finds Attitude, Goals Impact Farmers' Income
 
Farmers, lenders, educators and many others in agriculture have a long history of wondering why some farmers perform better than others. Since conditions vary over time, we need to keep asking the question in order to have the best answers. A University of Minnesota Extension survey of farmers in southwest Minnesota collected non-financial characteristics in addition to the farm's financial information. The survey included questions on formal education, farmers' attitudes toward management, their situation, and other potential reasons that are frequently mentioned by farmers when discussing performance.
 
Factors which have an overall positive impact on either net farm income per operator or ROA include having a positive attitude: the farmers' attitude that they control their own destiny and that farming has a bright future. Other positive factors include setting and striving for goals, paying a higher wage (for good people), and being involved in a custom work enterprise to increase the efficiency in using their machinery.
Low-Cost Cold Storage Room for Market Growers
Fresh fruits and vegetables start to deteriorate as soon as they are harvested.  they lose weight, texture, flavor, nutritive value, and appeal. Cooling significantly slows the rate of deterioration and will increase the storage life of the produce. 
 
Market gardeners typically sell their fruits and vegetables within a day or two of picking. They can get premium prices for it's "localness" and freshness. Long term storage at very low temperatures is not needed, but fresh produce can deteriorate a lot within a day or two if it is not cooled at all from ambient temperatures, especially during hot summer months.  Produce losses can be significantly reduced by cooling produce as soon after harvest as possible.
A standard window-mount room air conditioner can produce a low-cost cooling source, but if a producer tries to use it to cool below 65o F, the cooling coils will freeze up.  This can be overcome by outfitting the air conditioner with strip heaters, a thermostat, and a timer to create a defrost cycle that alternates power between the strip heaters and the compressor.  At least one manufacturer now offers an off-the-shelf control unit that does the same thing.  The control unit is called a 
CoolBotTM.
A cool room (55o to 60o F) can take the field heat off a wide range of fruits and vegetables and significantly improve the produce quality compared to storage in ambient conditions.  Many produce items do best at very cold temperatures, just above freezing, but other produce may get damaged at this low temperature.  Be sure you know how low a temperature  your produce can go. 
 
A cool room is generally an insulated room constructed from building materials from the hardware store and cooled by a room air conditioner and the CoolBotTM control unit from Store It Cold.  The University of Kentucky has a very helpful fact sheet called "Low-Cost Cold Storage Room for Market Gardeners" AEN - 96.
Handbook Helps Farmers Markets With SNAP Benefits
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at Farmers Markets: A How-To Handbook (PDF/1.1MB). The handbook provides the managers of farmers markets with a step-by-step guide to installing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) machines and accepting SNAP benefits. The handbook was developed by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), in cooperation with the Project for Public Spaces. It provides essential guidance for farmers market managers who are thinking about implementing EBT technology at their market sites to allow them to accept SNAP benefits (previously known as food stamps). Topics addressed in the handbook include how to install an EBT machine and how to make the program work successfully for vendors and customers. The handbook also features a list of resources, a glossary of important terms, and several case studies from farmers markets that have successfully implemented EBT technology.
 
Source: Weekly Harvest Newsletter ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service June 30, 2010
 Supper and Silent Auction to Benefit Linda Whitten
 
Linda Whitten has been battling cancer for a number of months.  Her friends from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 4-H Clubs, 4-H After School and Milo Rite Aide staff are sponsoring a benefit spaghetti supper and silent auction to help Linda with her medical bills associated with being a cancer survivor.
 
Please join us Friday, July 23rd at the Milo Town Hall to enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner cooked by Val Robertson from Hobbnobber's Pub serving from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.  The meal will be by free-will donation.  It will include a special dessert contest by 4-H Youth.
 
Silent Auction begins at 5:00 pm and ends at 6:30 pm, with announcing of winning tickets until about 6:45.  From 6:45 pm to 7:00 pm Awards Program for 4-H youth in appreciation of Linda's contributions to the 4-H Youth Development Program.
 
Items for the silent auction can be dropped off before July 20th at the Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft.  If you are unable to come to the dinner and auction but want to help Linda an account has been set up at the Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union payee "For the Benefit of Linda Whitten," mailed to Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 507, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 or contact Barbara Baker at 942-7396 or email Barbara.baker@maine.edu.
 
Featured UMaine Extension Publications 
The following agriculture related Extension publications are available or can be ordered at the Extension Office nearest you.  You will notice that some publications are free and some have a cost recovery charge.  Many other publications are available for free online or may be purchased at our secure publications web site.
 

  • Strawberry Production Guide for the Northeast, Midwest and Eastern Canada
    Item #2431 Publisher: NRAES
    Strawberries have become the basis of a large commercial industry and are one of the most popular small fruits in the U.S. This 160-page guide on strawberry culture is a comprehensive resource for commercial growers. Chapters cover site selection and preparation; production systems; temperature regulation; water, soil, and nutrient management; pest, disease, and weed management; and harvesting, transporting, and marketing fruit. Includes floppy disks with a strawberry profit spreadsheet template (for both Mac and IBM-compatible systems). Includes 19 pages of color photos. 1998. 45.00
  • Raspberry and Blackberry Production Guide for the Northeast, Midwest, and Eastern Canada
    Item #2158 Publisher: NRAES
    Site selection and preparation, trellising and pruning, nutrient management, harvesting, irrigation, pesticides, budgeting, and marketing. Also field production, high tunnel production, and greenhouse production. Descriptions of more than 70 cultivares including summer-fruiting red, black, and purple raspberries; fall-fruiting red and yellow raspberries; thornless, thorny, and fall-fruiting blackberries, and hybrid berries. 134 color photos, 36 line drawings. 157 pages, 2008. 37.00
  • This Old Hayfield: A Fact Sheet on Hayfield Renovation, Forage Facts Series, Item #2491, Publisher: UMaine Extension
    Learn how to bring neglected hay fields back into production or simply maintain the fields with desirable grasses and open space. 2 pages, 2004. Download it for free: PDF (for printing) / HTML (for browsing). Or color copy for $0.50 
  • Controlling Smooth Bedstraw in Hayfields and Pastures, Forage Facts Series, Item #2278, Publisher: UMaine Extension
    The perennial smooth bedstraw is a competitive, invasive species that can significantly reduce the yields of hayfields. This publication documents the findings of recent research trials in Maine that evaluated mechanical and chemical control methods, and discusses key management strategies. 6 pages, 2008. Download it for free, or buy a color printout. $0.50 
  • Growing Forage Grasses in Maine, Forage Facts Series, Item #2262, Publisher: UMaine Extension
    Describes five common grasses (Kentucky bluegrass, timothy, orchard grass, smooth bromegrass and reed canary grass); covers growth habit and appearance, adaptation, productivity and management recommendations for each. 6 pages, 2004. Download it for free: PDF (for printing) / HTML (for browsing). Or buy color copy for $1.00
 
  • Upcoming Events  
  • July 7th, 2010 Corinth Farmers Market at Hearts of Love in East Corinth on Rt. 15. First Market day 2 pm to 6 pm and will be continuing on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Contact Linda Clewley for details. 924-5506 .Email maple_shade@myfairpoint.net
  • July 8th, 2010 Bangor Grange Farmers Market. First Market day 2 pm to 6 pm at the grange hall 1192 Outer Ohio St. they will continue through the summer on Thursday afternoons.  FMI contact Rolf Staples at 973-3976 or email swederolf@aol.com  
  • July 13th, 2010 Penquis Beekeepers Open Hive Meeting 5 pm at the Dexter VFW. FMI contact Tish Dutson tishdutson@yahoo.com
  • July 14th, 2010 Organic Bread Wheat Field Day 6:00 - 7:30 pm at Rainbow Valley Farm, Sidney.   Please join us and learn about: Bread Wheat Varieties - See a diversity of hard red spring wheat varieties (24 in all) that are being evaluated for their yield potential and suitability for baking. Wheat Diseases - Fusarium head blight, loose smut, Septoria leaf spot, - these are some of the wheat diseases we see in Maine.  We'll talk about how to identify and manage these and other pests. Fitting Wheat into Dairy Rotations - We'll discuss the opportunities and challenges of growing bread wheat on a dairy farm and where wheat can fit in dairy crop rotations. No pre-registration required - Refreshments provided.  For more information, contact:  Ellen Mallory - ellen.mallory@maine.edu ; 207-581-2942 or 1-800-870-7270 (in Maine only) Directions: We'll meet at the variety trial field just north of Rainbow Valley Farm.  Take I-95 Exit 120 (Lyons Rd) and head east on Lyons Rd (toward Sidney) until it ends; turn left onto W River Road and go 2 miles north to the intersection of River and Drummond Roads.  The field will be marked with a field day sign.
  • July 14th, 2010 Maine Equine Welfare Alliance Meeting at 6:30 pm at the Maine Farm Bureau Office in Augusta. 
  • July 21st, 2010 Highmoor Farm Organic Apple Tour, 9:30 PM to Noon. Please join us for a field day featuring organic apple research with special guests Lorraine Berkett and members of the OrganicA Project from the University of Vermont.  Directions to Highmoor Farm: From the north on I95, take exit 109B in Augusta, head west on US Route 202 towards Winthrop.  Continue on Route 202 for about 15 miles.  Highmoor Farm will be located on the left-hand side of the road.  Telephone: 207-933-2100 or 800-924-5258 (toll free in Maine only).  From the South, take I-95 heading north to Auburn.  From Exit 75 turn left onto Route 202.   Continue on Route 202 through Auburn and Lewiston for approximately 20 minutes into the town of Monmouth.  Highmoor Farm will be on the right-hand side of the road. The physical address is 52 US Route 202, Monmouth,  ME 04259. For more information, contact Renae Moran at (207) 933-2100 x 105, or by email at rmoran@maine.edu
  • July 23rd, 2010 Benefit Supper and Silent Auction for Linda Whitten, 4-H Aide & Cancer Survivor. Serving 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Milo Town Hall. FMI Barb Baker, barbara.baker@maine.edu or 942-7396.
  • July 25th, 2010 Open Farm Day, times vary, to find a farm near you participating go to www.GetRealMaine.com
  • July 28th, 2010 Maine Highlands Farmers Meeting 7 pm at Maple Shade Farm, Linda Clewley 248 Corinth Rd., Garland.

  • JULY 28 - Winter Wheat Trial Field Trip from 11am - 1pm at the Harakiel Farm at 94 Waugh Rd., Starks.  Followed by a light lunch and ME Alternative Ag Open House 1 - 4 pm at 699 Anson Road,  Starks, ME (4.5 miles from Anson/Madison bridge, Rt. 43) Sponsored by the ME Alternative Agriculture Association. The former grange hall turned into a beautiful new space for collecting and processing local farm products. Come see this wonderful new facility, look us over, and sample the wares from "the Beast"...our glorious wood-fired brick oven! No fee but please register - (207) 696-583.  For open house info: maaa@hciwireless.net or call 696-8377 or see http://bit.ly/mainealtag

  • July 31 to August 1, 2010 Beef Basics & Artificial Insemination Instruction at Aldermere Farm in Rockport. For more information or to acquire a registration form, please contact Heidi Baker at Aldermere Farm, 70 Russell Ave, Rockport, ME  04856, Phone:  (207) 236-2739, Fax:  (207) 230-2582 or e-mail at hhoward712@msn.com .
  • August 5th, 2010 SWCD Annual Tour & Luncheon 9am to 1 pm at Widdershins, Wendy and Chris Russell, 843 Bear Hill Rd., Dover-Foxcroft. Pre-registration fee $8.50 includes lunch.  Send to Piscataquis County SWCD, 42 Engdahl Dr., Dover-Foxcroft 04426 or phone 564-2321 ext. 3 or email info@piscataquisswcd.org
  • August 20 & 21, 2010 Maine Farm Days, Barker Farm, Leeds. For more information contact:  Jane Heikkinen, AVSWCD, 254 Goddard Road, Lewiston, ME 04240. 207-753-9400 ext. 400 or e-mail at  jane.heikkinen@me.nacdnet.net
  • August 26th to 29th , 2010 Piscataquis Valley Fair in Dover-Foxcroft.
Contact Info
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
207-564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491
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