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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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 Fall Pre-Conditioned Feeder Calf SaleThe Maine Beef Producers Association (MBPA) is sponsoring a preconditioned feeder calf sale at Dick Brown's auction barn 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 producers can sign an affidavit that 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.
The MBPA are expecting 75 to 100 calves weighing about 500 to 900 pounds to be sold at the November 7th sale at 11 am. If you are interested in selling animals or have questions contact Sale Manager, Pete Dusoe at 207-437-5441 or pbdusoe@roadrunner.com . Pre-conditioning protocol and forms are available at |
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BQA Free Certification Period The countdown has begun for beef and dairy producers to become Beef Quality Assurance (BQA)-certified for free online through Nov. 20. And, as an added bonus, anyone who becomes certified during this period is eligible to win a prize package, courtesy of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. and the BQA program, funded in part by the beef checkoff. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. will pick up the $25-$50 online training fee for every person completing BQA training through Nov. 20. That includes anyone who works with cattle - whether it is beef or dairy. Visit www.bqa.org to take advantage of the open certification period.
The BQA program is important to the cattle industry because it is a producers' consumer-friendly story to tell, helping them talk about using BQA Best Management Practices for producing a safe and high quality beef product. And for dairy producers, this offering also is beneficial as a tool to promote safe animal-handling practices and because a large percentage of dairy calves, as well as market cows, make their way into the food chain.
The BQA training modules are customized to fit the specific needs of each segment of the cattle industry - cow-calf, stocker, feedyard and dairy operations. The program covers best management practices such as proper handling and administration of animal health products, reducing injection site blemishes, and low stress cattle-handling principles.
More than 2,100 producers across the country became Beef Quality Assurance (BQA)-certified during the last campaign thanks to the program support by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI). That is the highest number in the program's four-year history, and means that nearly 22,000 producers have taken advantage of these free offers to sign up for the BQA certification program. Through its sponsorship of the BQA certification program, BIVI provides financial support for the Beef Cattle Institute, which developed the training modules.
To become BQA-certified, or learn more about the program, visit www.bqa.org To learn more about your beef checkoff investment, www.beefboard.org . |
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Agriculture Positions Available in UMaine Extension
In the next few months UMaine Extension will be filling positions due to a number of vacancies throughout the state.
Agriculture and Food Systems ProfessionalUniversity of Maine Cooperative Extension invites applications for a full-time Agriculture and Food Systems Professional/Professional I to begin work December 1, 2015. This position is located at the University of Maine Oxford County Extension Office in South Paris, Maine. This position is responsible for implementing educational programs in support of the over 550 commercial farms in Oxford county. This work will often be done in partnership with county based colleagues and statewide commodity (potato, dairy, vegetable) or subject specialists (water quality, pest management, food safety) within Cooperative Extension. The professional will also respond to the needs of home gardeners and have overall responsibility for the county Master Gardener Volunteer program. Typical hiring range for this position is $40,461-$43,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. For a full job description and to apply, click here. The University of Maine is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Other positions - The following positions have been proposed to be filled.
Statewide Educator for Livestock and Assistant Extension Professor. This position will address educational priorities and applied research for Maine's livestock producers in areas other than dairy. Primarily this position will be supporting producers of beef, goat, sheep, alpaca and other species. This position is expected to work in partnership with Extension colleagues, State Government and grower groups in developing a work plan consistent with faculty level performance.
Agricultural Professional for Cumberland County: This position will address the educational needs of the commercial agriculture sector in southern Maine with an emphasis on Cumberland County. This professional position will focus on educational outreach and work in partnership with Extension colleagues and others in addressing the needs of the over 700 farms in Cumberland County.
More information about these positions will be forthcoming in the near future.
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Piscataquis County Extension Association Invitation Join us at our annual meeting! Celebrating and Supporting Farming in Piscataquis County
with John Piotti, President and CEO of Maine Farmland Trust Farm to Table Meal by Friday, October 30th 6 pm dinner 7 pm program Congregational Church in Dover-Foxcroft Tickets are available for dinner at the Piscataquis Extension office .165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, phone 207.564.3301 or 1.800.287.1491 (in Maine) email amanda.miles@maine.edu. RSVP with payment of $10 by October 23rd guarantees a meal. Proceeds to benefit the school gardening project. |
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Seminar for beginning dairy, livestock farmers offered in Freeport
FREEPORT, Maine - University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Wolfe's Neck Farm are partnering with the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers to offer a seminar focused on business planning. UMaine Extension professor Rick Kersbergen will facilitate the class geared for beginning pasture-based dairy and livestock farmers. The weekly course will be offered remotely at Wolfe's Neck Farm, 184 Burnett Road, Freeport, noon to 2:15 p.m. from Nov. 12, 2015 until March 2016. The Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers (www.cias.wisc.edu/dairysch.html) is the host organization. Course fee is $300. For more information, to apply and to request a syllabus or disability accommodation, contact Kersbergen at 207.342.5971, richard.kersbergen@maine.edu. |
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Items of Interest |
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Featured Resources Videos:How to Test Forage Quality, YouTube Video from UMaine Extension that discusses the nutritional importance of forage quality and recommended sampling techniques.
Webinars:
Publications:
Visit the UMaine Extension Cooperative Extension online Publications Catalog for agriculture information, such as: Selling Beef in Maine #1048 There are many paths or market channels that can be used to get beef from the producer to the consumer. This publication includes a chart of the risks, benefits, and requirements of beef marketing channels. 2 pages. © 2015 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free or buy a color copy $0.50.
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Upcoming Events
- October 14, 2015 Maine Beef Producers Association Board of Directors Meeting, 6:30 pm, Deering Building, ME Dept. of Ag, Augusta.
- October 19, 2015 Farmland Access Conference, at Pineland in New Gloucester, presented by Maine Farmland Trust with partners Land for Good and American Farmland Trust. Join us for a day-long conference on the challenges that farmers face in gaining access to farmland, as well as the tools and resources (both existing and imagined) to help improve access.
- November 6, 2015 Beyond the Field Edge...Farming and Maine's Most Perennial Crop, Richmond. FMI kennebecwoodlandpartnership@gmail.com
- November 6-8, 2015 - MOFGA's 2015 Farmer to Farmer Conference. Friday through Sunday, Point Lookout Resort, Northport, Maine. MOFGA's annual conference for farmers provides a great opportunity to talk about what works and what doesn't while learning new ideas from university faculty, fellow farmers and others.
- November 7th, 2015, MBPA Pre-conditioned Feeder Calf Sale 11 am, sponsored by the Maine Beef Producers Association, Dick Brown's Auction Barn, Richmond.
- November 14-15, 2015 - The Business of Farming for Wholesale: A Two-Day Intensive Workshop, Black Bear Inn, Orono. Sponsored by Maine Farmland Trust. For experienced farmers who want to start or expand their wholesale markets. Available tuition-free to farmers who participated in this spring's Harvesting Maine's New Wholesale Opportunities. Other farmers may apply to participate. Details and registration online at Maine Farmland Trust or contact Jed Beach at beach.jed@gmail.com
- November 18, 2015 Beef Fall Health Meeting - evening - Presque Isle
- November 19, 2015 Beef Fall Health Meeting - evening - Waterville
- January 12 - 14, 2016 Maine Agriculture Trades Show, Augusta
- April 2, 2016 Livestock 101 at the University of Maine Witter Center, Orono.
- May 20 - 22, 2016 Northeast Livestock Expo, Windsor
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Maine Beef Producers Association 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://www.mainebeefproducersassociation.com/forms.htmlSpecial Offer!! Join now and your dues are paid until the end of 2016! |
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Newsletter Subscription Information
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 transitioned to electronic-only delivery. There will still be four ways to receive the MBN from 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. If you are interested in subscribing send a $15 check made out to UMaine Extension to Piscataquis County Cooperative Extension, 165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426.
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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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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Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
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Local Weather AnytimeMany 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/. Check out the Maine Board of Pesticide credit calendar. Many approved pesticide applicator re-certification programs are listed.
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Contributors
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
donna.coffin@maine.edu
and
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. |
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.
Photos by Donna Coffin unless otherwise noted. |
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Open Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
307 Maine Ave. Bangor, ME 04401 207-942-7396 or 800-287-1485
Open Monday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm,
Open By-chance on Wednesday, Closed Tuesday
165 East Main St. Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207-564-3301 or 800-287-1491
Open Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
992 Waterville Road, Waldo, ME 04915-3117 Phone: 207.342.5971 or 800.287.1426 (in Maine)
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