Unless your steak was purchased from the farmer down the road, it can be hard to tell exactly where it came from, even if the sticker on the package says local. Thanks to a new pilot program being conducted at Michigan State University, though, the day may soon be approaching where a quick barcode scan with a smart phone could tell the exact animal and farm where the steak originated.

The pilot program would allow consumers an opportunity to know exactly what farming practices were used and how the animal was raised, he concluded.

For more information contact Dan Buskirk at buskirk@msu.edu or (517) 432-0400.  

Research Illustrates Challenges to Increasing Meat Processing Capacity in New England... New study finds seasonal fluctuations, labor pool, limiting industry growth. 

A lack of slaughter facilities is commonly cited as a key barrier to the growth of the local meat industry in New England. However, a new study led by a staff member of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Foods and Markets shows that existing facilities are actually not operating at full capacity during most times of the year. The analysis showed that only 38 % of the total kill floor capacity of New England slaughter facilities is utilized on an annual basis. However, utilization of processing room capacity (where meat is cut and wrapped), was much higher, at 66-78%, demonstrating that it is processing, not slaughter, that may be presenting the bottleneck. 

View the complete article at Vermont Processing Capacity Study 

 The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Farmer Grants for up to $15,000 are for farmers (full or part-time) who have an innovative idea (production or marketing) they want to test using a field trial, on-farm demonstration, or other technique. A technical advisor--often an extension agent, crop consultant, or other service professional--is required as a project participant.

Maine Food System

The Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center has just issued a special issue of their fantastic journal, the Maine Policy Review. This special issue is on the Maine Food System. Several articles were authored by Extension faculty Jim McConnon, Rick Kersbergen, John Jemison, Beth Calder, Jason Bolton, Al Bushway and John Rebar. Farmers are integral to the Maine Food System and this issue will help give a broad understanding of agriculture and the food system in Maine. The journal can be accessed online at Maine Policy Review - Special Issue: Food - Regional and Local Approaches.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING (NPRM) TO REVISE FEDERAL CHILD LABOR PROVISIONS

On September 2, 2011 Department of Labor published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update the agricultural child labor regulations to bring them into the 21st century based upon recommendations made by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, its own enforcement experience, and a commitment to bring these rules in line with the more stringent rules that apply to employing children in nonagricultural workplaces.

Some of the major revisions proposed by the NPRM would:

• Require that all tractors operated by 14- and 15-year-old student-learners be equipped with proper rollover protection structures (ROPS) and seat belts, and that the student-learners use the seat belts.
• Remove the two certification programs that allow 14- and 15-year-olds, after receiving very little training, to operate most tractors and farm implements without supervision.
• Revise the type of farm implements 14- and 15-year-old student-learners may operate after successfully completing the academic units addressing each type of implement.
• Revise and expand the current prohibitions against working with animals.

The public is invited to provide comments to DOL on these important proposals. For more information and to comment on NPRM Comments must be received by November 1, 2011.                              

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Calendar

• October 7, 2011 Bull, Heifer and Club Calf Sale, Fryeburg Fair, Fryeburg, ME. For more information contact Ed Carter, (207) 737-2872 email Miniacres1@myfairpoint.net or Colt Carter (207) 512-6997.  
• October 26th, 2011 Farm Land Property Taxes, Forest land and Open Space Tax - Jeff Kendall will speak at the Maine Highlands Farmers Meeting on these topics at 7 pm at the Piscataquis County Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft.  All interested people are invited to attend. A short business meeting will follow the presentation. FMI www.MaineHighlandsFarmers.com  
• November 5, 2012 Fall Feeder Calf Sale, Dick Brown's facility, Richmond, ME. For more information contact Pete Dusoe, (207) 948-3233  email pbdusoe@uninets.net 
• October or December 2012 Beef Quality Assurance Training, Fort Fairfield. For more information contact Cindy Kilgore (207) 215-4968 email Cindy.Kilgore@maine.edu