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News and events for Maine Beef Producers from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Maine Beef Producers Association and other agricultural organizations in Maine.
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Greetings!
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Scattered rains with a few downpours have come to central Maine with a recent storm dropping almost two inches of rain in my town and only a quarter of an inch ten miles down the road. Hard to make hay in these conditions. Speaking of hay, some farmers have had reduced yields and could find themselves short this winter. Check out the UMaine Hay Directory to see who may have hay to sell.
Donna
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- Fall Pre-Conditioned Feeder Calf Sale - Time to think about pre-conditioning your calves for this sale. Sale will be the first Saturday in November. Click here for more.
- Low Stress Weaning Could Add Over 30 Pounds to Calves- Fenceline-weaned calves show less behavioral stress than calves abruptly separated from their dams and gain 33 pounds more weight through 10 weeks post-weaning. Click here for more.
- USDA AG Marketing Service Site More User Friendly - This redesigned site makes it easier to find current prices for live animals, carcasses and even cuts of meat. Click here for more.
- In Search of the Perfect Steak - Maine doesn't have any beef carcass grading in the state to help consumers differentiate eating quality of meat (ie. prime, choice, select, etc.) What if a genetic test could identify tenderness? Wait, it can. Click here for more.
- South Dakota Beef Tour - I was fortunate to participate in this tour with some of my colleagues from across the country. Here are some of the stops we made. Click here for more.
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Fall Pre-Conditioned Feeder Calf Sale
The Maine Beef Producers Association (MBPA) is sponsoring a preconditioned feeder calf sale at Dick Brown's facility in Richmond, ME on Saturday, November 7th at 11 am. Cow Calf producers are reminded to precondition their calves for this sale by weaning and starting the first course of shots by October 3rd.
Preconditioning reduces the incidence of respiratory disease and enteritis by increasing the immunity of the calf in preparation of the stress of weaning and shipping. Dehornings and castrations should be healed.
Some cow calf producers consigning animals to the sale can also signed affidavits attesting that their animals have been raised under the MBPA Natural Meats program protocol of never having received hormones, antibiotics, or feeds or feed supplements containing animal-by-products. And/or their animals are 100% grass (forage) fed, no grains, grain-by-products, grain crops, grain crop silages, or other prohibited feeds under the USDA grass fed guidelines have been fed.
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Low Stress Weaning Could Add Over 30 Pounds to Calves
Weaning is one of the most stressful events in a calf's life. Practices that minimize stress during this time can yield improved calf health and weight gain. When calves are weaned they have two main stressors that can affect them: (1) separation from their mother and (2) moving to a new environment. When evaluating potential weaning methods, producers should evaluate their facilities and resources.
Research comparing methods for weaning cattle is limited; however a few studies do shed some light on the subject. California researchers conducted a three-year study to compare weaning calves but allowing fenceline contact with their dams to non-weaned calves or calves weaned and completely separated from their dams. Results of this study indicate that fenceline-weaned calves show less behavioral stress than calves abruptly separated from their dams, and gain 33 pounds more weight through 10 weeks post-weaning.
Allowing fenceline contact between calves and their dams for several days after weaning can lessen stress and minimize post-weaning performance decline. However, it may not always be possible to fenceline wean calves. In situations where fenceline weaning is impossible or impractical, producers should make every effort to minimize stress. Tips for minimizing weaning stress include:
- Provide calves access to the weaning area (pen, trap, or pasture) a few weeks prior to weaning so calves do not have to undergo the stress of environment change at weaning.
- Provide shelter from wind and sun.
- Allow fenceline contact between calf and dam for three to seven days following weaning. Fences should be sturdy and allow nose to nose contact without nursing.
- If fenceline contact is not practical, move cows far enough that they cannot hear the calves bawling.
- Move the cows to a new location when cows and calves are separated at weaning. Do not move the calves.
- If weaning in a drylot or corral, place feed bunks, hay, or water troughs along the fence to minimize perimeter walking.
- Do not castrate, dehorn, or brand calves at weaning. These practices should be completed at least 3 weeks before weaning and preferably prior to 3 months of age.
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 USDA Ag Marketing Service Site More User Friendly
Over the last ten years, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has transformed as an agency. Of course, the core mission is still there-facilitating the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products-but how they accomplish that mission is an evolutionary process. Modern consumers are educated and aware shoppers who want more information about the products they buy, and are using a variety of devices to get to it. Not only are they looking at the quality grades that AMS provides (USDA Prime, Choice, or Select; Grade A or AA, etc.), they are also looking for other labels, such as USDA Organic, Grassfed, local, and Process Verified, that speak to the values and practices used in producing their food. As an agency, AMS has responded to both the industry needs for value-added services, and the consumer need to better identify and understand the products they buy. This evolution in services and information, as well as the regulations and processes involved, is reflected in our new website and the new communication tools it provides to all of our stakeholders.
Of interest to Maine beef industry are weekly and monthly auction prices posted from sales across the county. More recent addition includes National Monthly Grass Fed Beef Report. That includes average price per pound for various cuts of meat from grass fed beef. Source: http://blogs.usda.gov/2015/08/17/evolution-of-agency-revealed-in-new-website
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In Search of the Perfect Steak 
American beef is high quality, but tenderness is a concern. The current focused paradigm of beef quality grading is fat and hair color. The purposes of this ten year project were to: - Determine if existing DNA technology could be used at the herd level to rank and select breeding cattle for tenderness and if so,
- Scientifically confirm the ability of DNA marker technology, for the 18th chromosome to select for tenderness.
The tenderness scale is T-1 to T-10 with T-10 being highest tenderness. Normal American beef ranks T-3 to T-4. While DNA tenderness technology is available, little research existed on inheritance, specificity and accuracy. Using DNA marker technology, he researched bulls and selected semen with high ranking DNA tenderness (T-9, T-10). Heifers were DNA tested and those with high rankings were artificially inseminated. Working with cooperating producers, 350 cows were part of the project.
Over several generations, they discovered high tenderness ranking to be
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A value added marketing advantage has yet to be established, but is promising. Beef produced from cattle indexing 8 to 10 in tenderness are extremely desirable and has a significant difference from the normal marketed beef. The perfect steak may have been found.
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infrequent and inherited. A group of feeder cattle were raised on irrigated pasture until 900 pounds, commercially finished and harvested. Identical samples were tested for tenderness using a Warner Bratzler shear force machine. Results showed significant difference (<0.01) in tenderness between normal beef (T-3, 4) and selected tender (T-8, 9, 10) beef.
The project showed guaranteed beef tenderness is an inherited trait. The technology is specific, accurate, cost effective and makes a significant difference in beef quality. DNA marker use enhanced beef quality and guaranteed tenderness independent of breed, method of finish or fat in the carcass.
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South Dakota Beef Tour
This summer I attended the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference in Sioux Falls, SD. As part of the event, I toured a number of ranches from Rapid City to Sioux Falls with a number of other agents from across the country including Eldon Cole from Missouri. Eldon did a great job summarizing the beef tour and I included some of his highlights 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. More information about the program may be found below. Next collection will be in October 2015, one day each in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta, and Portland. Registration by September 25 is required, no drop-ins will be accepted. For more information click here.
- Veterinary Feed Directive Final Rule and Next Steps - Over the past several years, the FDA has taken important steps toward fundamental change in how medically important antibiotics can be legally used in feed or water for food-producing animals. Now, the agency is moving to eliminate the use of such drugs for production purposes (i.e., growth promotion and feed efficiency) and bring their remaining therapeutic uses in feed and water under the supervision of licensed veterinarians - changes that are critical to ensure these drugs are used judiciously and only when appropriate for specific animal health purposes. Implementation date is December 2016. Click here for factsheet
- UMaine launched a new website design (check it out at umaine.edu.) It's user-friendly for folks with mobile devices; pages will automatically reformat to fit your device such as a smartphone or tablet. FYI, over the past 30 days nearly 40% of visitors to the UMaine Extension's website used a mobile device, what about your website?
- University of Maine Analytical Lab and Soil Testing Service click here for website -They analyze soil, plant tissue, compost, manure, irrigation water, wood ash, fertilizers, organic residuals and other materials for nutrient content, organic matter, lead and other trace elements.
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Update Hay and Straw Directory - Many farmers throughout the state of Maine are experiencing reduced hay yields. If you have excess or are in the position to sell hay or straw, consider using the Maine Hay and Straw Directory. If you are looking for hay to buy check this site. 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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Webinars:
- Livestock First Aid and Safety Injured animals and animals under stress react differently than they do in normal circumstances. If you don't work with livestock often, you may not completely understand how to keep yourself and animals safe in stressful situations, or how to provide first aid to injured animals. Learn what to do from Scott Cotton, Wyoming Extension ANR Area Educator and Dr. John Duncan, Area Veterinary Medical Officer, USDA APHIS, during this 60-minute session. Click here to watch free webinar.
- Beef Webinars & Videos - University of Nebraska - Lincoln UNL Beef team has archived their beef related webinars on one website. Some of the topics include: Fly control for pastured cattle. Click here to view these free webinars.
Publications:
Visit the UMaine Extension Cooperative Extension online Publications Catalog for beef information, such as:
- Kids on the Farm: Hazards Outside the Home #2307 Explains the importance of a hazard-free play area, and addresses the dangers of animals, storage buildings, equipment, bicycles, ATVs, plants and water. See item #2365 for the entire Maine Farm Safety Program. 4 pages. © 2002 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free: or buy a color copy $0.75.
- General Health for Farmers #2355 This bulletin explores physical and mental well being, physical limitations, stress, alcohol, and drugs. See item #2365 for the entire Maine Farm Safety Program. 4 pages. © 2003 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free: or buy a color copy. $0.75.
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Newsletter Subscription Information
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The Maine Beef Newsletter (MBN) is now received by over 600 readers, has been offered as an educational resource by University of Maine Cooperative Extension since 2011. As of January 1, 2015, the MBN will be transitioning to electronic-only delivery. There will still be three ways to receive the MBN from your local UMaine Extension:
1) Maine Beef 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. More details on how to subscribe will be provided later this fall.
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.
4) Maine Beef Producers Association members who do not have an email on file will receive a printed copy of the newsletter as a benefit of their membership.
We appreciate our readers referring others to the newsletter, and sharing it with your family and friends.
Thank you for your continued support of the MBN, providing valuable agricultural information from Extension for beef producers and those interested in the beef industry in Maine since 2011.
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Maine Beef Producers Association
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 Join the Maine Beef Producers Association
The Maine Beef Producers Association is accepting dues for the 2015 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 http://bit.ly/19oljzu Special Offer!! Join now and your dues are paid until the end of 2016! You get an extra year!
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Events & Announcements
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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.eduGoal
The goal of the Piscataquis & Penobscot 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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DC) Again this was a multi-generational operation started in 1909. They run 300 registered Angus cows and the next generation is still in the learning phase and the young couple attended the SD extension course to learn more about ranching. The wife, is from Hawaii and he worked for a car dealer in Montana for ten or more years before returning to the ranch. They seem to be making the adjustment but it's been tough.