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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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 Beef Conference Change this year!
The Maine Beef Producers Association is joining the Maine Veterinarians to offer a free evening session on cattle health for producers instead of the daylong program in December.You must sign up by November 13th to get your complementary meal.
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Fall Pre-Conditioned Feeder Calf Sale Results
The Maine Beef Producers Association (MBPA) sponsored a preconditioned feeder calf sale at Dick Brown's auction barn in Richmond, ME on Saturday, November 7th. Here are the unofficial sales figures. | No. Cattle |
Wt Range
| Av. Wt. |
Price/lb. Range ($)
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Av. Price/lb ($)
| | Steers (48) |
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| | 15 |
423-599
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536
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1.40 - 1.76
| 1.57 | | 16 |
605-676
| 638 | 1.38-1.77 | 1.59 | | 11 | 700-773 | 785 | 1.38-1.77 | 1.88 | | 4 | 818-885 | 853 | 1.38-1.77 | 1.66 | | 1 | 980 | 980 | 1.38-1.77 | 1.62 | | 1 | 1004 | 1004 | 1.62 | 1.62 |
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Bull (1)
| 960 | 960 | 1.30 | 1.30 |
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Heifers (30)
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| | 10 |
470-588
| 536 | 1.40 - 1.76 | 1.44 | | 6 | 616-674 | 651 | 1.38-1.77 | 1.54 | | 9 | 724-784 | 761 | 1.38-1.77 | 1.69 | | 2 | 804-809 | 807 | 1.38-1.77 | 1.61 | | 2 | 931-960 | 946 | 1.38-1.77 | 1.41 | | 1 | 1019 | 1019 | 1.70 | 1.70 |
Sale Averages: Weight: Steers - 672# Heifers - 688# Price: Steers - $1.66/# Heifers - $1.55/# Grass Fed: $1.68/# (35 head) Natural: $1.60/# (64 head) High/Low: $1.90/# - $1.30/# |
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Another Reason to Use Multi-Paddock Grazing Systems Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research found that cow-calf ranchers in the Southern Great Plains could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 30% by changing from continuous grazing to multi-paddock grazing. When compared to continuous grazing, multi-paddock grazing results in more carbon sequestration in the soil and produces a higher quality grass that reduces methane production. In this study researchers used field measured soil organic carbon data to estimate the carbon sequestration for the different grazing management systems. Researchers concluded that converting to multi-paddock grazing in the Southern Plains region resulted in cow-calf farms becoming carbon sinks through carbon sequestration. Under the multi-paddock grazing management, one paddock is grazed at a time while the other paddocks recover. This grazing system uses short duration grazing with long recovery periods that are adapted to changed or adjusted in relation to current conditions. Source: Wang, et. al., GHG Mitigation Potential of Different Grazing Strategies in the United States Southern Great Plains, Sustainability, 2015, 7(10) 13500-13521. Another study from University of Wisconsin - Madison, Potential Carbon Sequestration for Forage Gains with Management Intensive Rotational Grazing. 2015, Research Brief #95 |
WHO Study on Meat and Processed Meat Consumption Recently the World Health Organization released a report on the carcinogenicity of the consumption of meat and processed meat. The study looked at the amount of epidemiological studies evidence showing an association with consumption of these products and the development of cancer. WHO determined there was limited evidence to link consumption of red meat with colorectal cancer but there was sufficient evidence to link consumption of processed meat with the development of colorectal cancer. But the Global Burden of Disease Project has estimated the risk for developing cancer from the consumption of processed meats is substantially less than smoking, consumption of alcohol or air pollution. Source: WHO: Q and A on the carcinogenicity of consumption of meat and processed meat, Oct. 2015 |
Items of Interest
- 2016 Whole-Farm Revenue Protection Crop Insurance (WFRP) provides single policy protection against the loss of revenue generated from multiple crops, ANIMAL, nursery, and resale products. It is a new risk management option for diversified farms and those with limited access to crop insurance such as specialty and organic crop producers. More information is available from the Farm Service Agency's Risk Management site RMA's WFRP site.
- Farm Credit East Knowledge Webinars "Harvesting a Profit" - Friday at noon for the live session or you can view the archived sessions. Topics include: Benchmarking Your Business with an Agribusiness Analysis (Nov. 20), What is a Lender Looking For? (Nov. 30), Understanding Financial Statements to Improve Profitability (archived). They also have an number of other interesting webinars.
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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.
- NH Weekly Market Bulletin is put out by the NH Department of Agriculture. You can subscribe up to view this weekly bulletin that includes interesting articles, an agriculture exchange (list farm equipment, livestock and farm supplies) as well as price reports on wholesale eggs, retail grain, bulk grain. Northampton Cooperative Auction and Flame Livestock Auction prices are also printed.
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Testing Forage Quality - YouTube video from UMaine Extension discusses the nutritional importance of forage quality and recommended sampling techniques.
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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.
New Meat MythCrusher Video Released by the North American Meat Institute and the American Meat Science Association, Eric Berg, Ph.D., professor and associate head of animal sciences at North Dakota State Univ., questions the link between consumption of red meat and obesity as well as chronic diseases.
Webinars:
Publications:
Visit the UMaine Extension Cooperative Extension online Publications Catalog for agriculture information, such as: Beef Housing and Equipment #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. Mid West Plan Service $20 + shipping.
Humane Livestock Handling #1034 Written by Temple Grandin, North America's most influential advocate of humane livestock treatment, this book reviews the natural behavior and temperament of cattle. The book includes construction plans, diagrams and detailed designs for putting Grandin's ideas into practice. Featuring plans for everything from gate latches to chutes, corrals, and sorting pens for full-scale facilities, there are designs that can be used in both large and small operations. 2008. 228 pages.by Storey Publishing. $24.95 + shipping
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
- 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 - Waterville
- December 9, 2014 Maine Beef Producers Association Board Meeting, 6:30 pm, third floor meeting room, Deering Building, Augusta.
- January 12 - 14, 2016 Maine Agriculture Trades Show, Augusta
- March 16-17 - Northeast Pasture Consortium. Harraseeket Inn, Freeport, Maine. 20th Annual Event connecting agricultural professionals - NRCS, Cooperative Extension, Ag. Research Service - with farmers to learn and share about pasture.
- 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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