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Practical farming information based on university research
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Greetings!
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You missed a great weed identification meeting this month. Sid and Rainie Stutzman allowed our group of 20+ folks to collect weed samples and identify the weeds. The goal was for all present to learn to identify their problem weeds on-sight. Those present met our new Maine Pesticide Inspector, Amanda Couture and two pesticide recertification credits were given to those needing them.
We have a new regular contributor to this newsletter, Rick Kersbergen, Extension Educator from Waldo County!
Donna
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- Weed Management Handouts and Links - Here links to the handouts given at the Weed Identification Walk as well as some helpful websites in identifying and managing weeds. Click here for more.
- Waldo County Extension Annual Meeting - Celebrating women in agriculture and the international year of soil at their September 1st field day/annual meeting. Click here for more.
- Enrollment for 2016 Margin Protection Program - The deadline for this program is coming soon. There are a couple of conference calls available to learn about the options. Click here for more.
- Hay availability... Hay quality... Do You Have Enough? Some farmers are reporting lower yields than usual and/ or the quality may be off. Figure out if you will have enough forage for your animals this winter and if you will need to supplement due to quality problems. Click here for more.
- Obsolete Pesticide Disposal Program Sign-up. If you have unusable pesticides and didn't know how you were going to dispose of them, here is your chance for free disposal. You must register first. Click here for more.
- Tips on Keeping Poultry Safe from Avian Flu. As cool weather approaches and wild bird migration starts agencies in the state of Maine are gearing up to monitor flocks in our state. If you own poultry you should be aware of how you can prevent Bird Flu. Click here for more.
- Maine Farms for the Future Program - Current farmer have an opportunity to adjust their farm operation to make it more profitable. The deadline is coming soon. Many farmers have used this program to make major changes to their farm operations to enable them to continue farming. Click here for more.
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Items of Interest
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Featured Resources
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Events & Announcements
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Newsletter Subscription Information
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Quick Links
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  Weed Management Handouts and Links
At our recent 8th Annual Weed Identification Walk I said I would share some of the links to more information. The first step in managing weeds is to identify what you are dealing with, then you can develop your plan for control.
Handouts:
Links: Many farms find it necessary to utilize herbicides to manage weeds. Here is the link to the New England Vegetable Management Guide. http://www.nevegetable.org/index.php/ A printed version is available for $25 plus shipping. |
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Celebrating "Women in Agriculture" and "International Year of Soils"
September 1st, Unity
Learn about no-till farming research being conducted by Cooperative Extension.
Waldo County farmers have always been pioneers in Maine agriculture. According to recent agricultural statistics, Waldo County farmers have shown themselves to be pioneers in the growth of women farmers, as well. The Waldo County Extension Association, with support from Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville, is celebrating this fact with the development of a "Women Farmer of the Year" award to be given to female pioneers and leaders in Waldo County agriculture. The recipient of the 2015 award will be recognized at this field day on September 1st.
In addition, 2015 is the "International Year of Soils." For centuries, farmers have been using cover crops to prevent soil erosion, improve nutrient cycling, and sustain their soils and our diets. Recent swings in growing conditions throughout the US have renewed many growers' interest in cover crops to help mitigate the effects of unpredictable weather conditions.
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has recently received funding from several agencies to research farming practices that enhance soil health. The field day will feature short presentations to describe these projects and our successes to date. Windgate Farm has participated in several of these projects and is a leader in no-till corn silage production, a proven soil health practice. In addition, Will Brinton, from Woods End Lab and Cooperative Extension Faculty Associate, will briefly discuss some innovations in soil health testing.
The Waldo County Executive Committee will also hold their annual meeting to elect new members and present the 2016 county budget request for approval. The field day will be held on Tuesday, September 1st from at 5:00 to 6:30 pm near 36 Stevens Rd in Unity. At 6:15pm, the Extension association will hold their annual meeting. The public is invited to celebrate women farmers, learn about soil health and to learn more about the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Waldo County Extension Association. For more information, contact the Waldo County office of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension at 1-800-287-1426.
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 Enrollment for the 2016 Margin Protection Program for Dairy Ends September 30, 2015
Dairy producers are reminded that the registration period for the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) for 2016 coverage ends on September 30, 2015.
MPP-Dairy offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. For more information on MPP-Dairy please visit the FSA website or your local FSA office. For a question and answer session on MPP-Dairy, and how to adjust and assess options, join the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence, for a free conference call discussion on August 26, September 9 and 23rd at 12:00 noon. The call will be hosted by Rebecca Csutoras, Program Chief for price support in dairy from the FSA, and Alan Zepp, Risk Management Program Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence. To register, call 717-346-0849, or email info@centerfordairyexcellence.org to receive conference call information.
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 Hay availability...Hay quality.. Do you have enough?The dry summer has limited the growth of many of our cool season grasses, so many hay producers are reporting lower than average yields of dry hay. This may lead to shortages and price increases. If you are a hay buyer, you may want to consider evaluating how and when you purchase your hay. You probably don't want to be looking for hay to feed your livestock in March! You should first do an inventory of what you already have and then budget for what you will need to make it through until the 2016 pasture season starts. Some critical decisions need to be made, including: 1)How many livestock you intend to keep over the winter and what are their needs? Here is a link to some resources to help calculate what you may need. 2) What is the quality of the hay or silage you have and what is the quality you may be buying? (I have seen a lot of 1st cut hay harvested in August from fields that have not been cut for several years...meaning poor quality feed!) Forage quality not only influences animal performance, but dictates how much grain you might need to supplement to keep your animals healthy. For more information on testing hay or silage visit Many Extension offices have hay core samplers you can borrow to help you get a good representative sample. 3) Should you sell animals or try and buy more hay now, even at high prices and low availability? Obviously, knowing now that you need to get rid of some animals, and taking the time to find good markets is better than having to sell them in an emergency type situation in the middle of the winter. |
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Mainers Urged to Sign Up for Free Disposal of Banned, Unusable Pesticides
This October, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) will team up with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help Mainers dispose of banned pesticides or unusable pesticides.
This free disposal program is open to homeowners, family-owned farms and greenhouses. Collection will occur at sites located in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta and Portland. To qualify, people must register by September 25, 2015. The collected chemicals go to out-of-state disposal facilities licensed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency where they are incinerated or reprocessed. Registration by September 25, 2015, is mandatory-drop-ins are not permitted. To register, get details, and learn important information about the temporary storage and transportation of obsolete pesticides, go to the BPC Web site at http://www.thinkfirstspraylast.org, or call 207-287-2731. The Maine Obsolete Pesticides Collection Program, jointly sponsored by the BPC and DEP, and paid for entirely through pesticide product registration fees, has kept more than 90 tons of pesticides out of the waste stream since its start in 1982.
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 Tips on Keeping Poultry Safe from Avian Flu:
The message from Maine's animal health officials to all poultry owners in the state emphasizes prevention, with a focus on biosecurity measures that can be implemented for every flock. These "Biosecurity Basics" are available on the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services website:
They include:
Whether people are commercial producers or backyard poultry owner or something in between, it is important to remember to prevent contact between your birds and wild birds, particularly wild waterfowl.
People can help get the word out by reporting unusual sudden bird deaths or birds that exhibit signs of sickness. Those who have sick birds or birds that have died from unknown causes can contact the Maine State Veterinarian at (207) 287-7615 or the USDA at (866) 536-7593. Dead birds may be submitted to the UMAHL at the University of Maine's Orono campus for free HPAI testing; the lab can be reached at 207-581-2788; call the lab for important details prior to submittal.
Note: If you have had three or more birds die, double bag them in ziplock plastic bags and refrigerate. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry will pay for the necropsy and AI testing as part of their AI surveillance, call Melissa Freeman at 207-287-3701 to make arrangements.
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Maine Farms for the Future Program
The Maine Farms for the Future Program (FFF) is a competitive grant program that provides selected farms with business planning assistance and investment support.
Farms are selected by an independent Review Panel, appointed by the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and comprised of professionals from the agricultural sector, including bankers, farmers, policymakers, and a former Commissioner of Agriculture.
The Phase 1 grant allows selected farmers to research ideas for change on their farm and work with a certified business counselor to write an investment-grade business plan.
Grant funds are also used to hire private consultants, attend industry and trade conferences, conduct market research, obtain special skills or training, and travel to other farms to analyze the feasibility of their ideas.
Deadline is 2 pm September 10th.
Only those farms that complete their business plan in Phase 1 are eligible to apply for Phase 2.
The Phase 2 cash grant and/or low-interest rate through the Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund, assists farmers with implementing the project(s) described in their Phase 1 Business Plan. In exchange, farmers sign an agreement to protect their farmland for 7 years.
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Photo: George Gentry/USFWS
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- Black Bird Damage on Crops? The Wildlife Biologist at APHIS can help talk you through your options. Call them at 207-629-5181 or 1-866-487-3297.
- Pigs reduce nutsedge by 48%! University of Florida researchers were able to measure the benefits of allowing pigs to root in an area infested with nutsedge (a difficult to control grass-like weed) and found positive results. Click here for more information.
- UMaine launched it's new website design (check it out at umaine.edu.) It's especially user-friendly for visitors using mobile devices; thanks to the template's "responsive design," pages now automatically reformat to fit users' devices such as smartphones and tablets. FYI, over the past 30 days nearly 40% of the visitors to UMaine Extension's website used a mobile device to view our pages!
- Drugs Approved for Use in Conventional Poultry Production by Dr. Jacquie Jacob, Univ of Kentucky. Notes that drugs may not be used in organic poultry production. However, organic producers may not withhold medical treatment from a sick animal in an effort to preserve its organic status. All appropriate medications must be used to restore an animal to health when methods acceptable to organic production fail. Livestock treated with a prohibited substance must be clearly identified and shall not be sold, labeled, or represented as organically produced.There are many different types of drugs available that can be added to poultry feed to prevent and treat illnesses and parasites. Click here for more information.
- Update Hay and Straw Directory If you have excess or are in the position to sell hay or straw, consider using the Maine Hay and Straw Directory. It is free to use. More information is available online, or call Cooperative Extension 1.800.287.1426.
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Featured Resources
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Publications: The following agriculture related UMaine Extension publications are available online or can be ordered from the UMaine Extension office nearest you. You will notice that some publications are free and some have a cost recovery charge. Many publications are available for free online or may be purchased at our
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Newsletter Subscription Information
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The Piscataquis and Penobscot Counties Farming Newsletter (PPCFN), now received by over 620 readers, has been offered as an educational resource by University of Maine Cooperative Extension for over 10 years. As of January 1, 2015, the PPCFN will be transitioning to electronic-only delivery. There will still be three ways to receive the PPCFN from your local UMaine Extension:
1) Piscataquis & Penobscot Counties Farming 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.
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.
We appreciate our readers referring others to the newsletter, and sharing it with their family and friends.
Thank you for your continued support of the PPCFN, providing valuable agricultural information from Extension for folks in the central Maine area since 2003.
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Events & Announcements
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- August 26 - 27, 2015 Maine Farm Days, Misty Meadow Farm, Clinton.
- August 27 - 30, 2015 Piscataquis Valley Fair, Dover-Foxcroft
- September 1 - 2, 2015 CROPP Regional Agronomy School, sponsored by CROPP Cooperative. For farmers to learn how to balance farm profitability, forage quality and soil fertility in a hands-on two-day workshop. Click here for more information.
- September 10, 2015 Deadline 2:00 pm Maine Farms for the Future Grant.
- September 12, 2015 Northern Maine Rural Living Day, 9 am to 3 pm Southern Aroostook Agriculture Museum, Littleton, http://umaine.edu/aroostook/home/rural-living-day/
- September 25 - 27, 2015 Common Ground Fair, MOFGA Fairgrounds, Unity.
- October 16, 2015, 4th Annual Maine Farm to School Conference at Kennebec Valley Community College. More details later.
- October 14th - Backyard Poultry at Bucksport High School, Bucksport - Sign up through RSU25 at 207-469-2129 or http://rsu25.maineadulted.org
- October 16th Livestock 101 at the Witter Center, University of Maine, Orono. More information later.
- October 27th - Backyard Poultry at NOKOMIS High School, Newport - Sign up through RSU 19 at 207-368-3290 or http://rsu19.maineadulted.org/
- October 30, 2015 Piscataquis County Extension Annual Meeting 6 pm Congregational Church in Dover-Foxcroft. John Piotti, President and CEO of Maine Farmland Trust will be the speaker. For more information contact Donna.coffin@maine.edu
- November 3rd Backyard Poultry at Piscataquis County Extension Office, 165 E. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft - Sign up through PVAEC at 207-564-6525 or http://pvaec.maineadulted.org
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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.
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Quick Links
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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/. |
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Contributors
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
donna.coffin@maine.eduand Rick Kersbergen, Extension Educator richard.kersbergen@maine.edu Goal
The goal of the Central Maine Farming Newsletter is to provide timely information on the production and marketing of crops and livestock grown in central Maine.
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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.
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Photos unless otherwise indicated by Donna Coffin.
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