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Putting knowledge to work with the people of Maine
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Volume 1 Number 8
| November 2013
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| News and events of interest to beef producers in Maine from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Maine, Department of Agriculture, Maine Beef Producers and other agriculture organizations in Maine. |
Free online sources of information:
Maine Beef Production Information by UMaine Extension
Beef Cattle Comments by Mike Baker, Cornell University
Drovers - Cattle Network - America's Beef Business Source |
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 24th Annual Maine Beef Conference
The Maine Beef Producers Association (MBPA) will hold its Twenty-fourth Annual Beef Conference titled "Keeping Your Herd Healthy," Saturday, December 7th, 2013 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bangor, ME with registration open at 8:00 am.
This year, MBPA has joined forces with the Maine Grass Farmers Network (MGFN) to host the conference with sponsors University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Industry sponsors include Hilton Garden Inn, Pineland Farms Natural Meats, and Wellscroft Fence.
Keynote speaker is. Other speakers include Walter Whitcomb, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Dr. Simon Alexander VMD, Exeter Veterinary Services, Cindy Kilgore, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Livestock Specialist, Dr. Anne Licktenwalner, University of Maine Extension Veterinarian & Director of the Animal Diagnostic Lab.
Non-member registration, including lunch is $60 for the first person from the farm and $40 for all others from that farm. Discounts for MGFN and MBPA association members are available, as well as a student rate. For registration details, contact Melissa Libby at 1-800-287-7170 in Maine or 207-581-2788 outside of Maine. Registration details and agenda available on the UMaine Extension Beef website (http://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/beef/ ).
UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals. Any person with a disability who needs accommodations for this program should contact Melissa Libby at 1-800-287-7170 to discuss their needs at least seven days in advance.
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Cierra Waters and Adam Pride
Photo: Leanne Waters
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2013 Calves 4 Kids
The Maine Beef
 | | Kristen Sally |
Producers presented heifer calves to two young ladies at the Fall Feeder Calf Sale on Nov 2nd. Cierra Waters from Bradford, Maine received an Angus heifer that was given back to the Calves for Kids Program by Adam Pride of Limington. Kristin Salley from Smithfield, Maine received a Chi heifer that was purchased from McGee Farm of West Gardiner.
The Maine Beef Producers Calves for Kids program was started in 2007. Calves were originally donated or bought and given to a deserving youth. That youth was then to raise the heifer, breed her and give back the first heifer calf their cow had. To date, seventeen calves have been given to deserving youths. Sevenyouths have given calves back and another calf will be given at the Spring Feeder Calf Sale at NELE in May 2014. One youth, chose to pay $1000 back to the program to end their contract. If there is any youth interested in the program you cane-mail Jenn Grant at Findviewfarm@juno.com for more information. |
Fall Preconditioned Feeder Calf Sale
November 2, 2014 - Richmond, ME
88 head sold
| # of Head | Weight Range | Average Weight | Price Range ($/lb.) | Av. Price ($/lb.) | | Steers |
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| | 3 | 460 - 492 | 471 | 1.25 - 1.48 | 1.37 | | 16 | 507 - 592 | 547 | 1.22 - 1.48 | 1.36 | | 18 | 600 - 684 | 637 | 1.21 - 1.48 | 1.27 | | 4 | 719 - 862 | 809 | 1.18 - 1.35 | 1.27 | | 2 | 986 - 1122 | 1054 | 1.08 - 1.18 | 1.13 |
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| | Heifers |
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| | 9 | 393 - 491 | 453 | 1.25 - 1.35 | 1.28 | | 9 | 510 - 587 | 554 | 1.02 - 1.35 | 1.23 | | 5 | 607 - 649 | 620 | 1.25 - 1.35 | 1.29 | | 6 | 708 - 773 | 749 | 1.24 - 1.35 | 1.26 | | 4 | 833 - 882 | 862 | 1.26 - 1.35 | 1.28 |
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| | Bull Calves |
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| | 12 | 569 - 728 | 638 | 1.25 - 1.28 | 1.26 |
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 USDA Market News Adds Grass Fed Beef Report
U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service released its second USDA Market News report covering grass fed beef yesterday. This is the first report of its kind, filling a significant data gap for the industry and increasing transparency in the marketplace. For almost a century, USDA Market News has provided farmers, ranchers and businesses with market and pricing information. Over the years, our reports have evolved to better meet the changing demands and needs of stakeholders who rely on our data to remain competitive. With the new market report and better access to information, USDA is helping farmers and ranchers who are considering converting to grass fed operations and those who are already producing grass fed beef.
The first monthly grass fed report was issued on Monday, September 23, 2013. In addition to market commentary, the new report includes three sections: prices paid for live cattle, wholesale beef prices, and direct-market beef prices. This monthly report brings market clarity and exposure to assist the grass fed industry in marketing their products. In the future, as the number of market reporting participants grows, USDA will continue to expand the report by including trade volume data, and adding graphs and other visuals.
USDA is committed to supporting businesses of all sizes. Fostering marketplace transparency is just one of the many ways we meet this goal. In order for the report to be a reflection of current industry conditions, we encourage anyone involved in grass fed beef production to help support these new reports by volunteering information and production data to the USDA Market News office in Iowa at (515) 284-4460.
- See more at: http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/10/25/usda-market-news-mow-tivated-to-add-grass-fed-reports/#sthash.ChbQhmFt.dpuf
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More Maine Meat Survey
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Sustainable Agriculture Society have initiated a project to try to improve opportunities for everyone involved in Maine's meat industry. The More Maine Meat project has a wide array of activities, but its primary goal is to "significantly increase the amount of meat that is produced, processed, distributed, and sold in Maine, and simultaneously increase wealth among those involved in Maine's meat industry."
As part of this broad effort UMaine Extension Educator Donna Coffin is implementing a survey of producers in order to better understand the needs and opportunities within the industry and to help us establish and implement an appropriate plan of action. We are asking you to supply information that will go towards those ends.
The survey's Web address (URL) is http://umaine.edu/livestock/more-maine-meat-survey/
Please take the time to fill out the survey 20 minutes. By doing so, you will be supplying us with much needed information about Maine's meat industry and, if you so choose, will be entering in a random drawing for one of four $50 prizes. Once you complete the survey (you do not have to answer all questions), you will be given instructions on how to enter the drawing. Your responses to the survey will not be linked to your entry in the drawing.
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Items of Interest
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Availability of FSIS Compliance Guide for a Systematic Approach to the Humane Handling of Livestock. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing the availability of a compliance guide to assist livestock slaughter establishments in complying with the regulatory requirements for humane handling and slaughter of livestock. FSIS encourages operators of livestock slaughter establishments to follow this guidance. The Agency must receive comments by December 30, 2013. Click here for information on guide and comment directions.
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The Maine Beef Producers Association is in the process of updating and redesigning their website. A committee has been established to work with a web designer to make this site an asset to the members of MBPA, potential members and people interested in finding out about beef production in Maine. The committee welcomes your suggestions and recommendations to make this site as helpful as possible. Please send your suggestions to:
Bob Dusoe, rjdusoe@uninets.net
Dan Costain, dancostain@gmail.com
Phil Newcombe, pnewcombe@kvcc.me.edu
Jenn Grant, findviewfarm@juno.com
Donna Coffin, donna.coffin@maine.edu
or Jacob Guimond, jacob.guimond@maine.gov
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To receive Maine Beef News: All Maine beef producers are welcome to subscribe to the Maine Beef News for free. To keep costs down we are asking folks to sign up for the electronic version at http://bit.ly/PPfarming
If you prefer surface mailed Maine Beef News, please call Melissa Libby at (207)581-2788 or send your mailing information to UMaine Extension Livestock Office, 134 Hitchner Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04479-5735. Currently we are only able to offer free mailed copy for free to Maine residents.
Please note that we do not sell or share your contact information.
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 Join the Maine Beef Producers Association
The Maine Beef Producers Association is accepting dues for the 2014 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
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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.
- The New American Farmer: Profiles of American Innovation #1174 After decades of working with farmers and ranchers across the country, University of Missouri economist John Ikerd wanted a way to convince others that what he was seeing-thriving family-run operations making a profit, working in harmony with the environment and helping to improve their communities- was no fluke. Ikerd wanted to share their stories and dreamed of a project where he could plunk a stack of farm profiles in front of every skeptic he encountered and tell them that those farmers were finding ways to make sustainable agriculture work and, more broadly, were redefining the American farm. This book is the realization of Ikerd's vision. "The New American Farmer" is a collection of in-depth interviews and photographs from farmers and ranchers from Hawaii to Maine who have embraced new approaches to agriculture. 160 pages. 2nd edition, 2005. From the Sustainable Ag Network $16.95
- Beef Housing and Equipment Handbook #1001 Information on cow-calf, cattle handling, and cattle feeding facilities; feed storage, processing and handling; water and waterers; manure management; farmstead planning, building construction, materials, ventilation and insulation; fences; gates and utilities. 133 pages with index, 1986. From Midwest Plan Service $15.00
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Calendar
- December 6, 2013 Maine Food Summit: Begin the Conversation, Wells Commons, University of Maine, Orono, Maine.Engage with businesses, friends and colleagues to discuss the future of our dynamic food system. What do you want Maine's land and sea-scape to produce? Come and share your vision. FMI http://extension.umaine.edu/maine-food-system
- December 7, 2013 Maine Beef Conference, Hilton Garden Inn, Bangor. Focus is on herd health.
- January 7 - 9, 2014 Maine Agricultural Trade Show, Augusta Civic Center, Augusta. Maine Beef Producers Meeting Wednesday at 1 pm.
- State Veterinarian
- Beef Housing Recommendations
- Producer Spotlight - we will feature slides of two beef producers operations
- MBPA Annual Meeting
- MBPA Board Meeting
- March 7 -8, 2014 New England Meat Conference Grappone Conference Center, Concord, NH
- March 15, 2014 Maine Grazing Conference
- May 16 - 18, 2014 Northeast Livestock Expo, Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor
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Contact Info
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
207-564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491
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Information in this newsletter is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned in this newsletter. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.
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