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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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Maine Beef Producers Association Awards
Beef Producer Award: Eastern River Cattle Company, Dresden. Jeff and Linda Biden purchase feeder cattle and finish them on their picturesque farm, marketing quality meat both directly from their farm l
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Youth Award: Samantha Grant, Gorham. "Sam" is a past Cumberland Co. 4-H member who has earned the respect of her peers through her hard work, and continues to develop her own herd of merit.
Seedstock Producer Award: Homestead Farm, Tom McKenny raises registered Anguscattle and attends fairs. He has donated cattle to University of Maine. Provided calves for Calves for Kids program. Homestead Farm out of Pownal. Accepting the award is Stanley Moreau.
James Worthley Service Award:
Laura Randall, Freeport. Laura has been a fixture for many years reliably volunteering as a clerk at the MBPA sales, and deserves particular recognition for her effort at the 2015 fall sale.
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Hall of Fame: Ralph Caldwell, Turner. "Raz" and family have developed a highly successful beef marketing program at Caldwell Farms, and were recognized as the Outstanding Beef Producer in 2012. As a regular buyer of feeder cattle, he has actively supported MBPA sales for many years.
Hall of Fame Award: Jeff Randall, Freeport. Posthumously honored, Jeff was a stalwart volunteer having served on the MBPA and Maine Beef Industry Council Boards as both an active member and officer. Recognizing both his leadership of and dedication to MBPA feeder cattle sales, Jeff received the James Worthley Service Award in 2004. Accepting the award is Laura Randall.
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Finger Lakes Meat Project
| Steers |
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WtdPr
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AvgWt
| | 3 | $2.14 | 285 | | 32 | $1.79 | 369 | | 67 | $1.64 | 467 | | 143 | $1.62 | 543 | | 70 | $1.59 | 652 | | 14 | $1.15 | 744 | | 15 | $1.04 | 924 |
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| | Heifers |
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| | no. | WtdPr | AvgWt | | 30 | $1.39 | 370 | | 67 | $1.40 | 455 | | 80 | $1.51 | 544 | | 25 | $1.51 | 634 | | 19 | $1.19 | 742 |
Matt LeRoux, Ag. Marketing Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension spoke at the Beef session at the Agricultural Trades Show in January about his work with the regional initiative in New York State to increase the freezer trade (sales of meat in bulk quantities such as whole, half and quarter animals) to benefit livestock farmers and consumers.
The Meat Suite was the Internet based program that farmers could list what they have for sale (including the price offered) and consumers could contact farmers directly when they wanted to purchase meat in bulk.
In addition to farm contact information the farmer can include special attributes and claims about their animals that consumers may be looking for in their purchasing decision. (grass finished, grain finished, born and raised on one farm, heritage, organic, antibiotic use, etc.) They also indicate if they take payment plans.
All farms must post the price per pound hot hanging carcass weight that includes processing to make it easier for the consumer to compare prices.
Knowing that some consumers do not have freezer space for bulk meat purchases Matt started the Ithaca Locker as part of the Finger Lakes Meat Project. Consumers can rent
inexpensive, shared freezer space to store bulk meat purchases. They purchase meat directly from farmers who will have it cut, wrapped, frozen and the consumer brings it to the locker for storage. They can then access their supply during scheduled hours each week (much like a CSA pick-up). Drop off by appointment only.
During his talk Matt mentioned prices received at the recent Finger Lakes Livestock Exchange. He was off a bit. The prices in the chart were from the December 5th beef auction.
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Building Better Beef Systems
Joe Emenheiser, University of Vermont Extension Livestock Specialist shared his insights for farmers to utilize genetic improvement to maximize the profitability of their farm. Look first at your production system to determine the type of breed characteristics to develop in your herd.
British breeds fit very well into a grass based system and will produce a small framed animal that will mature faster than a large framed continental breed. Without the right genetics and favorable environment it if difficult to produce a choice carcass with a grass fed production system.
Joe also talked about the importance of heteriosis or a cross breeding system to get a boost in productivity at no extra cost in feed. The Missouri factsheet Crossbreeding Systems for Small Herds of Beef Cattle #G2040 includes many of this comments.
Quality grade of a carcass is based on age of the animal and marbling of the meat. Yield grade of the animal is not the dressing percent since it is affected by fat cover. The more back fat and internal fat the lower the yield grade.
It is important to send an animal for harvest when they have just the right amount of finish. Producers can use scales, ultra-sound or visual clues to determine when an animal is finished such as when the brisket is full. When fat cones are visible on the tail head the animal is over finished and the yield grade is lower, there will be less edible meat for the customer. The Colorado State University factsheet Beef Grading (pdf) has more information on quality and yield grading.
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Agriculture Education Survey
The Maine Farm Bureau has partnered with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension to assess the educational needs of farmers, growers, and farm employees in Maine. A short survey has been developed to determine these needs across the state. Your input is appreciated.
It will likely take 5 minutes or less to complete this survey. Please complete the survey as soon as possible and by February 29, 2016.
Feel free to invite other individuals on your farm to complete the survey, including employees.
If you would prefer to complete a paper copy of the survey, please call the Maine Farm Bureau Office at 207-622-4111.
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Grass Fed Marketing Claim Withdrawn by AMS
On January 12, 2016, the Agricultural Marketing Service withdrew the Grass (Forage) Fed Claim for Ruminant Livestock and the Meat Products Derived from Such Livestock (Grass (Forage) Fed Marketing Claim Standard)". A copy of the standard will remain on the website for reference; however, AMS will no longer verify applicant's programs to the Standard.
Current users of the program will be issued new certificates that reference they meet the requirements of the SVS Grass Fed Program, QAD Instruction 1020, instead of the Grass (Forage) Fed Standard. For more detail you can download the pdf of the grassĀ (forage) fed conference call on 1/14/16.
Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS) has always had jurisdiction on labels for food products. They will continue to review producers labels and the label claims that producers want to make for their product. Here is their Animal Production Claims Outline of the Current Process (pdf)
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Items of Interest
- Tax Time - What's New with Federal Income Taxes? UMaine Newsrelease.
- Livestock Position to be Opened UMaine Extension will be posting a job description for the statewide livestock educator housed in Orono this spring instead of waiting until later in the year. Watch for the posting at https://umaine.hiretouch.com/
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KVCC is currently hiring for the following positions:Contact: Elizabeth Fortin, TAACCCT II Project Manager, Kennebec Valley Community College, 92 Western Avenue,Fairfield, ME 04937 PH 207.453.5858
- COOL for Beef and Pork Ended "The omnibus bill repealed the country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements for muscle cuts of beef and pork, and ground beef and pork. Effective immediately, USDA is not enforcing the COOL requirements for muscle cut and ground beef and pork outlined in the January 2009 and May 2013 final rules." See USDA County of Origin Labeling for more information.
- USDA Expands Microloans They will be available to also help with farm land and building purchases, and soil and water conservation improvements. FSA designed the expanded program to simplify the application process, expand eligibility requirements and expedite smaller real estate loans to help farmers strengthen their operations. Microloans provide up to $50,000 to qualified producers, and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).
- Maine Rural Partnerships (MRP) Internet Speed Survey - Broadband Service Actual Speed map! As you know, your internet speed is not as fast a what the providers like Fairpoint and Time Warner tell you. They publish their advertised speeds for the area. This map will MRP figure out how best to help rural Maine get on board with faster internet service. It is part of their Maine Rural Scorecard project.
- Meatpacking Firm Thinking About Robots As Meat Butchers. NPR recently aired a segment on a large meatpacking firm that is looking at ways to automate the art of meat butchery.
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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:Gabe Brown: Farming in Nature's Image YouTube video. presented by NCATATTRA. Gabe talked at the 2015 Grazing Conference here in Maine. He's the beef producer from North Dakota.
Grading Feeder Cattle YouTube video presented by UK College of Agriculture Food and Environment. Part 1 "The Basics" Discusses USDA feeder cattle grades Part 2 "A Practical Exercise" Use to test your knowledge of feeder cattle grades
Webinars:
Grazing Management (BF231) Improve Your Triple Bottom Line Through Grazing presented by Northeast Beginning Farmer Project. The Genetics of Beef Cattle by Dr. John Comerford, Penn State Extension Beef Specialist.
Publications:
Understanding Your Federal Farm Income Taxes from Penn State Extension.
New England Farm Account Book - Excel spreadsheet from UMaine Extension.
https://www.irs.gov/Forms-&-Pubs is you link to Federal Farm Tax Forms and Pub 225 the Farmers' Tax Guide.
Visit the UMaine Extension Cooperative Extension online Publications Catalog for agriculture information, such as:- Selling Beef in Maine #1048 Are you a beef producer interested in learning more about the different markets available to you to sell your beef? This bulletin discusses the risks, benefits, and requirements for selling beef in Maine. 2 pages. © 2015 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free or a buy a color copy $0.50.
- Managing and Marketing for Pasture Based Livestock Production #2206 Provides an introduction to pasture-based livestock production, including sustainability, benefits, and the science and art of pasture-based systems. covers defining vision, mission, and goals; using resource inventories in farm planning; allocation of farm resources; and direct marketing; as well as marketing feeder cattle, dairy, and hay. 116 pages, 2006. $21.00
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Upcoming Events - February 7, 2016 Farm/Forest Estate Planning and Generation Transfer Meeting, 9 am to 3:30 pm Maine Forest Products Council Building, Civic Center Drive, Augusta. $15 includes handouts. FMI and to register click here. Sorry class is full.
- February 8, 2016 Soils & Agronomy Workshop, UMPI Campus, Presque Isle. Program pdf.
- February 10, 2016 Maine Beef Producers Association Meeting 6:30 pm at the Deering Building, Augusta. Contact Kevin Woltemath or Donna Coffin if the weather is questionable.
- February 21 - 23, 2016 Annual Meat Conference, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville, TN. Comprehensive education sessions include a variety of ways to explore the latest developments in meat retailing today. Gain tools, insights, inspiration and new ideas to differentiate your unique products and services, fortify your marketing ROI, increase sales and build customer loyalty.
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February 23, 2016 - Protecting Livestock and Poultry from Disease 6 - 8 p.m. SJV Ag 2016 WINTER PROGRAMS, Madawaska Adult Ed - There are simple and effective measures you can take to help protect your property and your livestock & poultry from diseases, parasites & pests. This class will help to explain how you can use biosecurity practices to reduce the risk of introducing a disease onto your farm or spreading it to neighboring farms. - Cindy Kilgore, Livestock Specialist, ME Dept of Ag, & Linda Trickey, UMaine Cooperative Extension. (2 Pesticide Credits) Program is free and open to the public, please call UMaine Cooperative Extension at 834-3905 or 1-800-287-1421 to register.
- February 29, 2016 Beef Meeting sponsored by Kent Nutrition Group, Auburn, 5:00-8:00 with Dinner provided. RSVP by 2/22 Jason.harris@kentww.com or call or text (207) 432-0273.Speakers and Topics: Dr. Anne Lichtenwalner PhD to speak on VFD - the new Veterinary Feed Directives that will be implemented 1/1/2017 by FDA; Phil Jacquith from Central Life Sciences, Using feed through Fly Control Products and Jason Harris from Kent Nutrition Group on New Beef products available in Maine.
- March 5, 2016 Trees in Transition: Succession Planning for Your Woodlands, 10 am to 3:30 pm Parkman Town Office. Speakers include: Jessica Leahy of the University of Maine and 1st Vice President of the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine (SWOAM), Erica Kaufmann of the Forest Society of Maine, and Gordon Moore and Patty Cormier, District Foresters for the Maine Forest Service.Cost $40 and includes lunch. Pre-registration for this workshop is required. For more information or to register, please contact the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District at 207-564-2321 ext. 3, info@piscataquisswcd.org, 42 Engdahl Drive, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426.
- March 15, 2016 Maine Dairy Seminar, Elks Club in Waterville.
- March 16-17, 2016 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.
- March 19, 2016 Grazing Conference, KVCC, Waterville
- March 23, 2016 Maine Grain Conference, Presque Isle.
- 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 2016 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.html
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Newsletter Subscription Information
The Maine Beef Newsletter (MBN) is now received by over 650 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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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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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
Rick Kersbergen, Extension Educator
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.
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 (in Maine)
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Open Mon, Thurs, Fri
8 am to 4:30 pm,
Open Appointment on Wed, Closed Tuesday
165 East Main St.
Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207.564.3301 or 800.287.1491 (in Maine)
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Open Monday - Friday
8 am to 4:30 pm
992 Waterville Road
Waldo, ME 04915-3117
207.342.5971 or 800.287.1426 (in Maine)
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