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Maine Farmcast

Maine Farmcast

109 episodes — Page 2 of 3

Ep 59Cook Wild Kentucky with Dr. Gregg Rentfrow

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt W. Knight is once again joined by friend of the podcast, Dr. Gregg Rentfrow of the University of Kentucky, to discuss a program he helped launch in Kentucky, Cook Wild Kentucky. I really like this program, and I think that its principles could be tailored to market locally raised and sold livestock and farmstands here in Maine. Cook Wild Kentucky recipesIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Jun 18, 202524 min

Ep 58The Science of Harvesting Hay: Maximizing Yield and Quality with Dr. Juan Romero

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira and Dr. Juan Romero team up with the Tri-State Dairy Team for a special crossover episode. Together, they explore how to optimize haymaking in Maine and northern New England. Dr. Romero, an Associate Professor of Animal Nutrition, conducts research on forage quality and conservation, ruminant nutrition, and PFAS. He also teaches courses in forage science, range management, and animal nutrition within the School of Food and Agriculture. You can reach him at [email protected] or 207-581-2925.Learn more about Dr. Juan Romero and his labWatch the Tri-State Dairy Exchange: Navigating the Future of Dairy webinarIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Jun 11, 202524 min

Ep 57June is Maine Dairy Month with Sarah Littlefield

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Sarah Littlefield. Sarah is the executive director for the Maine Dairy Promotion Board and the Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council, and a dairy farmer. This episode was recorded on Sarah's family farm and included information and events occurring during Maine Dairy Month.Learn more about Maine Dairy and Nutrition CouncilFollow Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council on Facebook and InstagramProclamation of June as Maine Dairy MonthIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Jun 5, 202514 min

Ep 56Updates in Beef Fecal Egg Count Study with Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, we're joined by Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, Extension Professor and Beef Specialist for the University of Kentucky. Jeff discusses his diverse background in agriculture and some pertinent research results from his recent research in accessing the efficacy of different types and routes of administration of common cattle dewormers on the market. Stay tuned for next week’s episode when we discuss pasture health and regenerative practices of grazing livestock. Dr. Jeffrey W. Lehmkuhler was raised in southern Indiana. He attended Purdue University and obtained his M.S. in silvopastoral systems and Ph.D. in beef cattle nutrition from the University of Missouri. Jeff continued his career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2001 and was hired by the University of Kentucky in 2008 where he now holds the title of Extension Professor. His internationally recognized programming has spanned five countries and covered a diverse range of ruminant production from dairy steers to yaks. Jeff’s external funding exceeds $6M dollars and he authored more than 125 newsletter and popular press articles, 66 abstracts and journal articles, and 46 proceedings and extension publications. A key to his success has been forging relations with colleagues to work as a team. Jeff received the Agri-Communicator award in 2004, Southern Region ASAS Extension award in 2016 and M.D. Whiteker Excellence in Extension award in 2021. Jeff and his wife, Gwen, have three children.Learn more about Dr. Jeff LehmkuhlerIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

May 28, 202535 min

Ep 55Growing Knowledge: Education, Outreach, and the Future of Lifelong Learning with Dr. Hannah Carter

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Drs. Glenda Pereira and Colt Knight sit down with Dr. Hannah Carter, Associate Provost for Online and Continuing Education and Dean of University of Maine Cooperative Extension. During our conversation we discussed “what is Extension,” the Morrill Act of 1862, the role of Extension and key programs that UMaine Extension offers and how it supports local communities, and inspires future leaders in agriculture. Dr. Carter grew up in Aroostook County and has direct roots to Maine agriculture, growing up on a potato farm. It was a treat to spend time with Dr. Carter and get to interview her on the Maine Farmcast.Learn more about Hannah Carter:https://extension.umaine.edu/about/staff-directory/hannah-carter/ Learn more about UMaine Extension educational programs:https://umaine-extension.formtitan.com/ftproject/events/landing-pageIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

May 21, 202544 min

Ep 54My Favorite Topic… BBQ with Dr. Gregg Rentfrow

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Knight sits down with Dr. Gregg Rentfrow, Professor of Meat Science and State Meat Specialist for the University of Kentucky, to discuss one of my favorite topics, barbecue.My BBQ journey began when I was a teenager showing horses in the South with my parents and going on road trips across the country with my dad. We got to experience the old school “mom and pop” BBQ stands and shops before BBQ became a national phenomenon. Back then, BBQ was less pretentious. There were no frills or fancy restaurants. Usually just a shack with folding tables and prepackaged hamburger buns. I started learning how to BBQ when I was in grad school, which led me down a rabbit hole I still haven’t escaped.This week, Dr. Rentfrow and I are going to discuss some tips and tricks to level up your BBQ game. If you would like to learn more about BBQ, contact your local extension office and ask if they can offer in person classes! Learn more about Dr. Gregg RentfrowNorth Carolina State University BBQ Camp (YouTube)In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

May 14, 202539 min

Ep 53Anniversary Special: The Voices That Shaped Us with Donna Coffin

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Drs. Glenda Pereira and Colt Knight sit down with Donna Coffin, Professor Emerita, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. She was a professor at the University of Maine, and served in the role of extension educator in Piscataquis and Penobscot Counties. In this conversation we talk about all things including her program "So You Want to Farm in Maine," being the first female agricultural extension agent in Ohio, and her passion for spinning and fiber products. Her dog, Raymond, joined us in the studio and was featured as a co-host. The episode starts off discussing some of Dr. Knight’s coal mining days shenanigans, goes through Donna’s days as an extension educator, and we end up discussing wool production.Mainely Spinners - Back to Back Wool ChallengeSarah’s House Maine CharityWindsor Fair of MaineIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

May 7, 202550 min

Ep 52Oink if You Are Ready to Get Started Raising Pigs!

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Drs. Glenda Pereira and Colt Knight discuss the basics of raising pigs. Dr. Knight owns a 14-acre registered Berkshire Farm in Garland, Maine with the distinct honor of being the top Berkshire breeder since 2023. Dr. Knight also serves on the National Pork Board Swine Education and Outreach Advisory Board where he helps plan the annual Swine Educators conference and reviews grant applications for swine education and research funded by the Pork Checkoff. Your hosts will discuss basic swine husbandry and few tips and tricks to making raising pigs successful. If you would like to know more about raising pigs, check out the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Swine Resources:Swine - Cooperative Extension: Livestock - University of Maine Cooperative ExtensionIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

May 1, 202541 min

Ep 51Dairy Insights: Navigating Milk Quality During Milking with Dr. Gary Anderson

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Drs. Glenda Pereira and Colt Knight sit down with Dr. Gary Anderson, Animal and Bioscience Specialist Emeritus, University of Maine. The conversation reviews milk quality guidelines and cleanliness during milking. Dr. Anderson was a professor at the University of Maine, and served in the role of dairy specialist working on programs such as milk quality and sanitation, estate planning, Green Pastures program and more. Dr. Anderson continues to be a resource for the dairy and livestock industries in Maine. In his free time, Anderson stays active with his grandkids. Important: Please work with your veterinarian to develop health management plans, and discuss protocols for maintaining milk quality. View the factsheet: Guidelines for Improving Milk Quality by UMaine/UNHhttps://extension.unh.edu/resource/guidelines-improving-milk-quality-fact-sheetIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Apr 23, 202525 min

Ep 50Bale Grazing with Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler

In this special 50th episode of Maine Farmcast, host Dr. Colt Knight is joined by Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler from the University of Kentucky to discuss bale grazing as a winter feeding strategy for beef cattle. They explore how this method improves manure distribution, reduces soil compaction, and enhances forage utilization. Dr. Lehmkuhler shares insights from a multi-state research project studying bale grazing’s impact on soil health and fertility.The episode covers best practices for bale placement, choosing the right hay rings, and adjusting strategies based on soil conditions. They also discuss cost-effective ways to reduce mud-related challenges and alternative winter feeding options like unrolling hay. Whether you’re a small-scale farmer or managing a large herd, this episode provides valuable tips to optimize winter feeding while improving soil and herd health.Tune in for practical advice on making the most of winter grazing!Dr. Jeffrey W. Lehmkuhler was raised in southern Indiana. He attended Purdue University and obtained his M.S. in silvopastoral systems and Ph.D. in beef cattle nutrition from the University of Missouri. Jeff continued his career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2001 and was hired by the University of Kentucky in 2008 where he now holds the title of Extension Professor. His internationally recognized programming has spanned five countries and covered a diverse range of ruminant production from dairy steers to yaks. Jeff’s external funding exceeds $6M dollars and he authored more than 125 newsletter and popular press articles, 66 abstracts and journal articles, and 46 proceedings and extension publications. A key to his success has been forging relations with colleagues to work as a team. Jeff received the Agri-Communicator award in 2004, Southern Region ASAS Extension award in 2016 and M.D. Whiteker Excellence in Extension award in 2021. Jeff and his wife, Gwen, have three children.Learn more about Dr. Lehmkuhler please visit - https://afs.ca.uky.edu/person/jeffrey-lehmkuhlerIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Apr 16, 202535 min

Ep 49Grazing Plans with Dr. Jaime Garzon

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Jaime Garzon about how to start a grazing plan. Dr. Jaime Garzon is an Assistant Extension Professor and Forage Educator at the UMaine Extension. His extension program seeks to develop and conduct educational outreach and applied research with emphasis on forage production and regenerative pasture management.Learn more about Dr. Jamie Garzon’s program:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jaime-Garzon-4Follow Dr. Garzon on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jgarzonforages/Learn more about Grazing Management Plans (PDF, NRCS):https://ucanr.edu/sites/nichemarketing/files/341577.pdfIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Apr 9, 202513 min

Ep 48Field Notes: York County, Maine Agricultural Updates with Dr. Ankit Singh

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Ankit Singh who is an Assistant Extension Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Ornamental Horticulture at UMaine. Dr. Singh is based in York County, and has statewide responsibilities for ornamental horticulture.Contact: [email protected] or 207.324.2814Learn more about Dr. Ankit SinghLearn more about APS Laboratory for Sustainable AgricultureIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Apr 2, 202523 min

Ep 47University of Maine Cooperative Extension Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory with Dr. Dana Hill

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, and Dr. Colt Knight, sit down with Dr. Dana Hill who is part of the UMaine Livestock team. Dr. Hill is an Assistant Extension Professor, Veterinarian Specialist, and the Director of the UMaine Extension Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She has a special interest in infectious disease research and obtained a combined residency and Ph.D. in anatomic pathology at Iowa State University. In her downtime, Hill enjoys hiking with her husband, friends and dogs all over Maine. The diagnostic lab is located at 17 Godfrey Drive, Orono, ME 04473. You can call the lab at 207-581-3874 and email: [email protected] Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory: https://extension.umaine.edu/veterinarylab/UMaine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Services and Fees:https://extension.umaine.edu/veterinarylab/tests-pricing/ In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Mar 26, 202533 min

Ep 46Cracking the Cost of Eggs and a Beginners Guide to Raising Chicks

On this episode of Maine Farmcast, Glenda and Colt explore the rising cost of eggs. The discussion highlights the impact of the concurrent bird flu epidemic, which has led to the loss of 166 million poultry, causing a disruption in egg supply. They clarify the differences between broilers and layers, explaining why chicken meat prices have remained stable while egg prices have soared. The hosts break down the economics of raising backyard chickens, comparing the costs of feed and equipment to the price of store-bought eggs. They also provide practical advice for those considering raising their own poultry, emphasizing proper brooder setup and predator control. Heat lamp safety, choosing the right breed for Maine’s climate, and preventing common poultry diseases are key takeaways. With expert insights and real-world experience, this episode offers valuable guidance to both novice and seasoned poultry keepers. Listeners can also submit questions and topic suggestions to the show for future discussions.To learn more about raising chickens, check out the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Livestock pagehttps://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/poultry/To track what is happening with H5N1 Bird Fluhttps://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.htmlIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Mar 19, 202536 min

Ep 45Maine Dairy Workforce with Dr. Ashley Marshall

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Ashley Marshall. Marshall is currently working as the Dairy Industry WorkforceSpecialist with Eastern Maine Development Corporation. She returned to Maine after her time as a Professor of Dairy Science at SUNY Morrisville. Marshall received her Ph.D. from Colorado State University in reproduction and has a wealth of experience and is passionate about the dairy industry. This conversation revolves around the program she is conducting which focuses on bolstering the Maine dairy workforce. In her downtime, Marshall enjoys spending time with her family on her farm. If you need more information, please reach out to Ashley Marshall, the Dairy Industry Workforce Specialist with EMDC at [email protected] or 207.949.2472.Enhancing Workforce Solutions for Maine's Dairy Farms (Eastern Maine Development Corporation) In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Institutional Equity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Mar 12, 202521 min

Ep 44Farm Service Agency with Lucia Brown and Amanda May

On this of the Maine Farmcast, Colt is joined by Lucia Brown, Deputy State Executive Director and Acting Farm Loan Chief for FSA and Amanda May, Agricultural Program Chief to discuss some of the programs and loans that FSA offers farmers. Farm Service Agency is equitably serving all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs for all Americans. A customer-driven agency with a diverse and multi-talented workforce, dedicated to achieving an economically and environmentally sound future for American Agriculture. A market-oriented, economically and environmentally sound American agriculture delivering an abundant, safe, and affordable food and fiber supply while sustaining quality agricultural communities.To learn more about FSA - https://www.fsa.usda.gov/To easily find an FSA office check out - https://www.farmers.gov/Farm Loan Options - https://www.farmers.gov/loans#loan-optionsProtection Programs - https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery#protectionConservation Programs - https://www.farmers.gov/conservationDisaster Assistance Discovery Tool - https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/disaster-toolNatural Resource Conservation Service - https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Mar 5, 202533 min

Ep 43Getting to Know Your Hosts Part 2 with Dr. Colt W. Knight

Colt grew up in a coal mining family in West Virginia where they also operated a small family farm and show horse stable. During academic breaks and between schools, he worked in strip mines across the country. Colt earned his B.S. in Animal Science at the University of Kentucky, M.S. in Animal Science at Angelo State University, and his Ph.D. in Animal Science at the University of Arizona in 2006, 2012, and 2016, respectively. In the fall of 2016, he worked on a postdoc with Dr. Derek Bailey at New Mexico State University.Since 2017, Colt has worked as an Associate Extension Professor for the University of Maine where he serves as the State Livestock Specialist. He teaches Introduction to Animal Science (AVS 145) and runs the Maine Grazing Behavior Lab. The core focus of the Grazing Behavior lab revolves around designing and manufacturing livestock tracking collars, engaging in applied grazing behavior research, and assisting other researchers with technology to interpret animal behavior.Dr. Knight’s research is broadly focused on selecting animals uniquely adapted to landscapes and promoting sustainable agriculture. Colt is the current chair for the Society of Range Management Livestock Foraging Behavior Committee, as well as, the North East Region Chair for the National Association of County Agricultural Agent’s Teaching and Educational Technology Committee. He also serves as an Associate Editor for the journal Ecological Processes. Colt is actively engaged in outreach and has delivered over 150 seminars on livestock production since starting his career at the University of Maine.In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Feb 26, 202533 min

Ep 42Dairy Nutrition for Small Scale Dairies with Dr. Sarah Allen

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Sarah Allen about dairy nutrition considerations for small scale dairy farmers. Allen holds a doctorate from North Carolina State University, in which she focused on research in mycotoxin mitigation, milk quality, and milk fatty acids. After working as a dairy consultant for Purina Animal Nutrition in Western New York, Dr. Allen transitioned into her current role as Extension Dairy Specialist at the University of New Hampshire.NASEM Dairy-8 Download Instructions (PDF)Interpreting Feed Analysis, UNH Extension (PDF)Hay Quality, UNH Extension (PDF)In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Feb 19, 202524 min

Ep 41Getting to Know your Hosts Part 1 with Dr. Glenda Pereira

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Knight visits with Dr. Pereira about her background in dairy, education, and research. As the Extension Dairy Specialist, Dr. Pereira conducts applied research and develop educational programs for dairy and livestock producers across the state of Maine and New England. While the Holstein breed is near and dear to her heart, Dr. Pereira admires the Normande breed and her favorite dairy products are sour cream and ice cream. Glenda has a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Rhode Island and a M.S and Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Pereira started her Extension role in 2021 at the University of Maine.In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Feb 12, 202534 min

Ep 40Highlights on Solar Powered Watering Systems and Grazing with Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Colt travels to the Commonwealth State of Kentucky to talk about alternative and direct marketing strategies we use here in Maine with beef producers in Kentucky. While there, he catches up with good friend and repeat podcast guest, Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler and attends the Heart of America Grazing Conference and Pasture Ecology Workshop. Dr. Lehmkuhler shared a solar powered water well system. They also got to take part in a presentation where pastoralists discussed pros and cons of the different electric fencing wires, temporary posts, fence storage solutions, and chargers.Learn more about the Heart of American Grazing Conferencehttps://www.research.uky.edu/news/heart-america-grazing-conference-2024-merges-science-and-practice(If you would like to see a similar conference in Maine, please send us an email at [email protected])Learn more about Dr. Lehmkuhlerhttps://afs.ca.uky.edu/person/jeffrey-lehmkuhlerIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Feb 5, 202551 min

Ep 39Cover Crops with Eduardo Stern

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Eduardo Stern, Director of Tropical Seeds LLC, and Dr. Jaime Garzon, Assistant Extension Professor and Forage Educator, drop by to discuss some new research of cover crops. Tropical Seeds LLC is a Florida-based company that markets seeds for tropical forage crops, including sunn hemp, a fast-growing warm-season legume used as a forage or cover crop in many countries worldwide. In this episode, we discuss the advantages of using cover crops in agricultural systems, some suitable forage species, and the ongoing legume trials Dr. Garzon is conducting in Maine.Learn more about Tropical Seeds LLChttps://www.tropseeds.com/varieties/Learn about sunn hemp performance and quality in Floridahttps://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/agj2.20465UMaine Extension Fact Sheet: Cover Cropping for Successhttps://extension.umaine.edu/publications/1170e/In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Jan 29, 202525 min

Ep 38The Maine Ag Trades Show with Kevin Woltemath

Recorded in front of live studio audience. On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Colt and Glenda set up shop on the main stage of the the Maine Agricultural Trades Show in Augusta, Maine on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 to record a live show with Kevin Woltemath of Pineland Natural Meats to discuss his journey through agriculture, his work with beef producers in the Pine Tree State, his involvement with the Maine agricultural industry over the last 20 years and his thoughts on the future of agriculture in Maine. Kevin is an active member of the Maine Agricultural Community working with Ag Com, the Maine Beef Producers Association, Agricultural Fairs, the University of Maine and much more. Correction - I mistakenly said Mr. Woltemath received the MBPA Hall of Fame Award but he was too polite to correct me during the podcast. He actually won the MBPA Service Award.Learn more about Pineland Natural Meats – https://pinelandnaturalmeats.comCheck out the Maine Ag Trades Show - https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/events/agtradesshow/index.shtmlInterested in the Maine Beef Producers Association? Visit them here - https://www.mainebeefproducersassociation.comIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Jan 22, 202531 min

Ep 37A Journey from Agricultural Education to Vocation with Madison Philbrick

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Knight sits down with Madison Philbrick, Academic Advisor and Program Coordinator for Animal and Veterinary Sciences in the College of Earth, Health, and Life Sciences at the University of Maine. As a Maine native, Maddy grew up in a coastal community, and worked her way through college earning both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Animal and Veterinary Science. Before transferring to her current role, she served as the J. F. Witter Center Livestock Operations Manager. She is a hard worker and dedicated to helping Maine youth succeed in their academic careers and has a great story to tell. Enjoy the listen!Read Madison’s master's thesis: "Unbridled Insights: Exploring Equine Behavior Through GPS Tracking and . . ."In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Jan 15, 202534 min

Ep 36Small Swine Producers and Veterinarians Grant Update with Casey Zangaro

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Colt visited the National Swine Education and Outreach Conference in Kansas City, Missouri where he got the chance to sit down with fellow swine enthusiast, Casey Zangaro, Swine Extension Educator for Michigan State University.Extension agents from Michigan, Maine, Iowa, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania worked together to acquire a grant from the National Pork Board to gather information about small scale swine producers and veterinarians from across the country. Through surveys and focus groups. Over the course of this podcast, we will highlight some of the most interesting concerns highlighted by producers and veterinarians.The objectives of the National Pork Board’s Swine Education and Outreach Grant program are:Drive state and regional execution of national producer priorities, as identified in the annual industry planning process.Facilitate greater swine/pork education reach for under-served states and producers.Increase interaction with all segments of pork production and/or operation types.Enhance collaboration and coordination among industry, research, and Extension nationwide.Support Swine Outreach and Education Professionals as a critical part of a successful national system executed at the local level.Leverage expertise of Extension with Checkoff funding.Strengthen the partnership between the National Pork Board and Swine Education and Outreach Professionals.Advance and enhance the workforce pipeline for industry, research and Extension.Expand new and alternative platforms for education deployment.To learn more about the grant, please visit:https://porkcheckoff.org/about/leadership-opportunities/swine-education-outreach-professional/seop-grant/To learn more about Casey Zangaro, please visit:https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/casey-zangaroResults of the grant will be published soon, and we will include a link when those are ready.In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Jan 8, 202528 min

Ep 35Maine AgrAbility with Bella Russo and Brie Weisman

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Glenda and Colt are joined by Bella Russo, Director of Maine AgrAbility, and Brie Weisman, occupational therapist, to discuss Maine AgrAbility.Addressing health, safety, and the prevention of injuries across the state of Maine— on the farm, on the water, and in the forest. The Maine AgrAbility project is dedicated to helping farmers, fishermen, and forest workers work safely and more productively. Maine AgrAbility is designed to assist owners, operators, managers, employees, and family members of farm, fishing or forestry businesses. We offer education for agricultural workers whose lifestyle and business have been impacted by a disability. We provide training and education to health care providers, agricultural professionals, emergency response agencies, and other community groups about agricultural workers with disabilities.Maine AgrAbility programming is funded through a grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. We network with many existing resources and help provide connections for agricultural workers and their families. Maine AgrAbility addresses a wide variety of disabling conditions, including, but not limited to, arthritis, spinal cord injuries/paralysis, back impairments, amputations, brain injury, visual impairments, hearing impairments, disabling diseases, cerebral palsy, respiratory impairments, and head injury.To learn more about Maine AgrAbility please check out the website:https://extension.umaine.edu/agrability/You can contact Maine AgrAbility at:138 Pleasant Street, Suite #1Farmington, Maine 04938-5828Tel: 800.287.1478Email: [email protected] complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Jan 1, 202534 min

Ep 34H5N1 Bird Flu in Dairy Updates with Dr. Sarah Allen

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Sarah Allen about the ongoing Avian Flu (H5N1) situation in dairy. This episode was recorded on December 19, 2024 and this situation is ever evolving, so please find the latest updates on the USDA APHIS website.Dr. Allen holds a doctorate from North Carolina State University, in which she focused on research in mycotoxin mitigation, milk quality, and milk fatty acids. After working as a dairy consultant for Purina Animal Nutrition in Western New York, she transitioned into her current role as Extension Dairy Specialist at the University of New Hampshire. Learn more about Dr. Sarah Allen:https://extension.unh.edu/person/sarah-allen Learn more about recent updates from USDA on H5N1: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-livestockIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Dec 25, 202413 min

Ep 33Prevention and Mitigation of Meningeal Worm in Small Ruminants with Dr. Rachel White

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Rachel White about meningeal worms in small ruminants. Dr. Rachel White is an Assistant Extension Professor, Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock Educator Hancock and Washington Counties at UMaine Extension. White's extension program seeks to develop and conduct educational outreach and applied research with emphasis on small ruminants and equine.Learn more about Dr. Rachel White’s program:https://extension.umaine.edu/about/staff-directory/rachel-white/In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Dec 18, 202422 min

Ep 32Calf Chronicles: The 5 Cs of Dairy Calf Care with Dr. Bethany Dado-Senn

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with a return guest, Dr. Bethany Dado-Senn about the 5 Cs of dairy calf care. Dr. Dado-Senn grew up on a 500-cow dairy farm with her family in northwest Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned her Bachelors and Ph.D. and the University of Florida where she earned her Masters. Dr. Bethany Dado-Senn is a calf and heifer technical specialist for Vita Plus, providing technical expertise to help producers raise the next generation of their milking herd. She resides in Northwest Wisconsin with her husband and daughters, and is the calf manager for her family dairy farm. To learn more about Dr. Bethany Dado-Senn– https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bethany-Dado-Senn To learn more about Feed and Water Space Requirements for calves and Heifers from the Wisconsin Dairyland Initiative– https://thedairylandinitiative.vetmed.wisc.edu/home/housing-module/replacement-housing/feed-and-water-space-requirements/In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Dec 11, 202422 min

Ep 31Livestock Business Planning with JJ Jones

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, we sit down with JJ Jones to discuss business planning for farms. An often overlooked aspect of farming is the business. JJ discusses how you can set yourself up for success with business planning. He discusses the key aspects of a business plan, and we talk about the reasons for owning a farm. JJ Jones is an Area Agricultural Economics Specialist for twenty-six counties in south-central Oklahoma and serves as the Agriculture and Natural Resource Program Leader for the Southeast District with the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service. With 30 years of experience in extension, JJ is dedicated to providing education in farm management, budgeting, marketing, farm taxes, and estate planning. Additionally, JJ leads the Oklahoma Meat Goat Education Team, which offers meat goat and sheep education to producers in Oklahoma and across the United States. One notable program is the OSU Meat Goat Boot Camp, a three-day workshop that teaches producers the fundamentals of meat goat production.In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Dec 4, 202439 min

Ep 30Getting to Know the Youth with Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, we have a special treat. On November 11, 2024, the University of Maine campus in Orono hosted a group of Maine 4-H Ag Ambassadors. On their tour of campus, they stopped by my lab, The Maine Grazing Behavior Lab, to see what a State Livestock Specialist and Associate Extension Professor does on a day-to-day basis. While they were here, they participated in a fun activity where they learned more about pork and swine anatomy. I thought it would be fun to invite the kids into the “under construction” podcast studio to get a behind the scenes look at what goes into making a podcast.The Maine 4-H Agriculture Ambassadors Program is intended for youth ages 14-18 and provides them with the opportunity to connect to local agriculture, build relationships with industry professionals, develop professional and advocacy skills, and explore careers in agriculture. Following completion of a 6-week training, participants serve a year long term as a member of a Maine 4-H Agriculture Ambassador team in an area of their choosing. Ambassador teams participate in 4-6 events throughout the year where they represent the Maine 4-H program and educate others about their chosen content area. The goal of the Maine 4-H Ag Ambassador Program is to provide experiences for youth to explore their interest in agriculture. The program focuses on:connecting youth with their local food systems and industriesexploring the richness and diversity of the Maine food systemdeveloping “ag-vocacy” skillsincreasing access to career and post-secondary opportunities in agri-science and food systemIf you would like to learn more about the program, please visit:https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/youth/ag-leadership/4-H staff members Tara Marble, Sadee Mehuren, Megan Cook, Alisha Targonski, and Allison Pollock, are responsible for leading the Maine 4-H Agricultural Ambassador program. To contact the team please email: [email protected] complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Nov 27, 202430 min

Ep 29The Last of the Cowboy Scholars with Dr. Derek Bailey

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, I'm pleased to have back Dr. Derek Bailey, Professor Emeritus at New Mexico State University and current Director of Research and Outreach at Deep Well Ranch in Prescott, Arizona. Dr. Bailey served as my Post Doctoral Fellowship Advisor, and has been a long term mentor for me and countless others. He has led an exciting life growing up on a ranch in the Western United States, conducting research all over the world, flying bush planes, and scuba diving amongst countless other adventures. He recently received the Society for Range Management Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as, being a prestigious Fullbright Scholar where he studied monitoring livestock behavior near water as a potential indicator of disease, welfare, and grazing distribution on rangelands in both the USA and Australia. I invited Dr. Bailey to Maine to help with a low-stress handling and stockmanship workshop at the Bangor State Fair. While in Maine, we visited numerous farms, the Moosehead Lake Region, and Acadia. In this episode we discuss some of his research into genetics and behavior.Learn more about Dr. Bailey:https://aiala.nmsu.edu/facultydirectory/derk-bailey.htmlLearn more about the Deep Well Ranchhttps://www.jamesfamilytrust.com/deep-well-ranch.htmlIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Nov 20, 202426 min

Ep 28Winter Care of Livestock with Dr. Pereira and Dr. Knight

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, co-hosts Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist and Dr. Colt W. Knight, Associate Extension Professor - State Livestock Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, have a conversation about winter care considerations for livestock.Feeding Cows in Winter - Factsheet from Iowa State Cold Weather Tips for Livestock Farmers - UMaine Extension Maine Farmcast Episode 01: Ventilation with Dr. Morgan HayesWinter Watering Tips for SwineFollow us on social media:https://www.facebook.com/umainelivestock/In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Nov 13, 202428 min

Ep 27Calf Chronicles: Cow and Calf Rearing with Dr. Brad Heins

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Brad Heins, Professor of Dairy Management at the University of Minnesota. Today's conversation is about pre-weaned calf rearing options for dairy producers. Dr. Heins grew up in Minnesota and obtained his Animal Science degrees at the University of Minnesota. Based in West Central Minnesota, Dr. Heins conducts research on topics including organic dairy production, crossbreeding in dairy cattle, calf rearing, precision technology, and renewable energy systems. Learn more about Dr. Brad Heins: https://wcroc.cfans.umn.edu/people/brad-heins Learn more about this research:https://wcroc.cfans.umn.edu/research/dairy/calves-cowsLearn more about the Moos Room podcast:https://moosroom.transistor.fm/In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Nov 6, 202428 min

Ep 26Journey into Agriculture with Dr. Kendall Samuelson

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, we are joined by Dr. Kendall Samuelson, Associate Professor of Animal Science at West Texas A&M University. Dr. Samuelson is involved in the latest research with feedlot cattle, teaching, advising graduate students, and serving as an industry leader. Kendall was presented with the Young Scholar Award at the 2017 Western Section Animal Science meeting, the Dean’s Award of Leadership Excellence by New Mexico State University in 2016, as well as, the Outstanding Graduate Assist in 2015. Dr. Samuelson has too many awards and honors to list here, but we thought it would be great to hear about her background, as she doesn’t have an upbringing in agriculture. We hope her story helps to inspire folks who don’t have an origin in agriculture to overcome any perceived short comings because they didn’t grow up on a farm. Even folks who come to agriculture later in life can make a difference and pursue a rewarding career. Learn more about Dr. Kendall Samuelson:https://www.wtamu.edu/academics/college-agriculture-natural-sciences/department-agricultural-sciences/faculty/kendall-samuelson-bio.htmlIf you would like to view Dr. Samuelson and I recorded on her visit to Maine, please check them out here:Feed Samplinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da6AG8c_jqoFeed Analysishttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWq9SaVKuAkSimple Ration Formulationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-FB0ZAJlHEIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Oct 30, 202430 min

Ep 25Swine Genetics with Randy Shipley

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Knight sits down and talks to Mr. Randy Shipley of Shipley Swine genetics. Shipley Swine Genetics is a top Boar Stud operation that provides high quality semen, bred gilts, and boars to producers across the nation. Randy joined us here in Maine to deliver a youth swine judging clinic in Cumberland, Maine. While he was here, I wanted to hear more about his story, operation, and his take on cross breeding pigs, boar selection, and artificial insemination. For more information about Shipley Swine Genetics, please visit:http://www.shipleyswine.com/In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Oct 23, 202440 min

Ep 24Winter Watering Tips with Drs. Pereira and Knight

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Drs. Pereira and Knight sit down to discuss some winter care, especially, winter watering tips for livestock producers. If you would like to learn more about Winter Care of Livestock, please visit:Cold Weather Tips for Livestock Farmers, UMaine Extensionhttps://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/related-resources/cold-weather-tips-for-livestock-farmers/ Winter Watering Tips for Swinehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oOaTX6M_lUMaine Farmcast Episode 01: Ventilation with Dr. Morgan Hayeshttps://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/episode-01/Follow us on social media:https://www.facebook.com/umainelivestock/In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Oct 16, 202423 min

Ep 23Preparing Your Pastures for Overwintering with Dr. Jaime Garzon

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Jaime Garzon about how to get your pastures ready for overwintering. Dr. Jaime Garzon is an Assistant Extension Professor and Forage Educator at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. His extension program seeks to develop and conduct educational outreach and applied research with emphasis on forage production and regenerative pasture management.Learn more about Dr. Jaime Garzon’s program:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jaime-Garzon-4View Dr. Garzon’s video on Sustainable Pasture Management:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLToKPmh1Dc&t=386sIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Oct 9, 202420 min

Ep 22Beef Sustainability with Dr. Sebastian Mejia Turcios

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Sebastian Mejia Turcios about his work on beef sustainability conducted at the clear center at UC Davis. The Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research Center – or CLEAR Center – is using research and extension to advance sustainability in animal agriculture. Dr. Mejia Turcios is actively involved with members of the industry, and is also heavily involved in research much of which pertains to finding new strategies to reduce the environmental impact of livestock production.To learn more about Dr. Sebastian Turcios:https://clear.ucdavis.edu/people/sebastian-mejia-turcios In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Oct 2, 202450 min

Ep 21Biosecurity with Carol Delaney

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Carol Delaney about general livestock biosecurity practices. Carol Delaney is the Livestock Specialist for the Animal Health group at the Maine Department of Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The Animal Health group focuses on helping to prevent the introduction and spread of contagious diseases among poultry and livestock, promote public health and food safety as it relates to zoonotic disease, to enhance the quality and health of livestock, and to maintain fair practices in the buying and selling of poultry and livestock.Learn more about Carol DelaneyLearn more about Secure Food Supply (SFS) PlansLearn more about Healthy Farms Healthy AgricultureIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Sep 25, 202430 min

Ep 20Online Marketing with Dan Kaplan

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast Colt is joined again by Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, Extension Professor and Beef Specialist for the University of Kentucky and Mr. Dan Kaplan, owner/operator of Heartstone Farm in Charleston, Maine. Dan moved to Maine and started a beef farm about 10 years ago. He shares his story on coming to Maine, and how he utilized the skills of his past career to create a vibrant online market for his beef, and how he has diversified into other products along the way. Be sure to listen in to Dan’s insights on marketing, customer acquisition, repeat business, and managing your marketing along with your livestock. To learn more about Heartstone Farm, please visit:https://heartstonefarm.comIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Sep 18, 202429 min

Ep 19Best Management Practices for Harvesting Corn Silage with Dr. Juan Romero

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira and Dr. Colt Knight have a conversation with University of Maine professor Dr. Juan Romero about best management practices for harvesting corn silage. Dr. Romero is an Associate Professor of Animal Nutrition and conducts research on: forage quality and conservation, ruminant nutrition, and PFAS. He also teaches forage science and range management as well as animal nutrition within the School of Food and Agriculture. You can reach him at [email protected] or 207.581.2925.Learn more about Dr. Juan Romero and his lab:https://umaine.edu/animal-pfas/ To learn more about the research Dr. Romero conducted with inoculant Lactobacillus buchneri:https://m.jtmtg.org/abs/t/64681 To learn more about Forage Conservation: Troubleshooting Hay and Silage Production: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/forage-conservation-troubleshooting-hay-and-silage-production In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Sep 11, 202439 min

Ep 18Tractor Safety with Jason Lilley and Caragh Fitzgerald

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with UMaine Extension professors and educators Jason Lilley and Caragh Fitzgerald about tractor safety.Jason Lilley is an Assistant Extension Professor of Maine Sustainable Agriculture and Maple Industry Educator, whose focus is on improving the overall environmental and economic sustainability of commercial farm operations. Caragh Fitzgerald is an Associate Extension Professor of Agriculture working primarily in Kennebec and Oxford Counties in production of vegetables, corn silage, and other forages as well as season extension and soil health.To learn more about UMaine farm safety programs:https://extension.umaine.edu/agriculture/farm-safety/ To sign up for the Maine farm newsletter:https://extension.umaine.edu/new-farmers/sign-up-for-email-notifications/ Learn more about Caragh and Jason:https://extension.umaine.edu/about/staff-directory/caragh-fitzgerald/ https://extension.umaine.edu/about/staff-directory/jason-lilley/In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Sep 4, 202432 min

Ep 17Pasture Health and Regenerative Practices with Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, I am joined by Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, Extension Professor and Beef Specialist for the University of Kentucky, and we are going to discuss the basic principles of pasture health and regenerative agriculture. This episode hits on cattle intake, forage utilization, stocking densities, soil health, how regenerative agriculture can reduce inputs and carbon emissions. Join in and learn why these practices can make a difference without the politics to get in the way. Dr. Jeffrey W. Lehmkuhler was raised in southern Indiana. He attended Purdue University and obtained his M.S. in silvopastoral systems and Ph.D. in beef cattle nutrition from the University of Missouri. Jeff continued his career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2001 and was hired by the University of Kentucky in 2008 where he now holds the title of Extension Professor. His internationally recognized programming has spanned five countries and covered a diverse range of ruminant production from dairy steers to yaks. Jeff’s external funding exceeds $6M dollars and he authored more than 125 newsletter and popular press articles, 66 abstracts and journal articles, and 46 proceedings and extension publications. A key to his success has been forging relations with colleagues to work as a team. Jeff received the Agri-Communicator award in 2004, Southern Region ASAS Extension award in 2016 and M.D. Whiteker Excellence in Extension award in 2021. Jeff and his wife, Gwen, have three children.If you would like to learn more about Dr. Lehmkuhler, visit:https://afs.ca.uky.edu/person/jeffrey-lehmkuhlerIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Aug 28, 202436 min

Ep 16Updates in Internal Parasite Research with Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, I am joined by Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, Extension Professor and Beef Specialist for the University of Kentucky. Jeff discusses his diverse background in agriculture and some pertinent research results from his recent research in accessing the efficacy of different types and routes of administration of common cattle dewormers on the market. Stay tuned for next week’s episode when we discuss pasture health and regenerative practices of grazing livestock. Dr. Jeffrey W. Lehmkuhler was raised in southern Indiana. He attended Purdue University and obtained his M.S. in silvopastoral systems and Ph.D. in beef cattle nutrition from the University of Missouri. Jeff continued his career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2001 and was hired by the University of Kentucky in 2008 where he now holds the title of Extension Professor. His internationally recognized programming has spanned five countries and covered a diverse range of ruminant production from dairy steers to yaks. Jeff’s external funding exceeds $6M dollars and he authored more than 125 newsletter and popular press articles, 66 abstracts and journal articles, and 46 proceedings and extension publications. A key to his success has been forging relations with colleagues to work as a team. Jeff received the Agri-Communicator award in 2004, Southern Region ASAS Extension award in 2016 and M.D. Whiteker Excellence in Extension award in 2021. Jeff and his wife, Gwen, have three children.If you would like to learn more about Dr. Lehmkuhler please visit:https://afs.ca.uky.edu/person/jeffrey-lehmkuhlerIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Aug 21, 202440 min

Ep 15Shades of Green: Cows, Agrivoltaics, and Climate Resilience with Dr. Brad Heins

On the this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Brad Heins, Professor of Dairy Management at the University of Minnesota. The conversation focuses on the dairy research that is being conducted at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Minnesota. Dr. Heins grew up in Minnesota and obtained his Animal Science degrees at the University of Minnesota. Based in West Central Minnesota, Dr. Heins conducts research on topics including organic dairy production, crossbreeding in dairy cattle, calf rearing, precision technology, and renewable energy systems.In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Aug 14, 202427 min

Ep 14Dairy Financials and Breakeven Milk Price with Joanna Lidback

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, assistant Extension professor and state dairy specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Joanna Lidback, CFO for Adirondack Farms and the principal consultant for Adirondack Management Services. Joanna is a Certified Agricultural Consultant and has over 20 years of experience in dairy financial analysis with a background in agricultural credit and consulting. She holds an MBA from the F.W. Olin School of Management and a B.S. from Cornell University. Joanna and her husband Adam started their own dairy farm in Northern Vermont, and are raising their three children there.In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Aug 7, 202425 min

Ep 13Heat Stress Considerations for Dairy Farms with Dr. Bethany Dado-Senn

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, assistant extension professor and state dairy specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Bethany Dado-Senn about heat stress on dairy farms. Dr. Dado-Senn grew up on a 500-cow dairy farm with her family in northwest Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned her bachelor's and Ph.D. and the University of Florida where she earned her master's. Dr. Bethany Dado-Senn is a calf and heifer technical specialist for Vita Plus, providing technical expertise to help producers raise the next generation of their milking herd. She resides in Northwest Wisconsin with her husband and daughters, and is the calf manager for her family dairy farm. Learn more about Dr. Bethany Dado-SennLearn more about Heat Abatement and Ventilation of Adult Cow Facilities from the Wisconsin Dairyland InitiativeIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Jul 31, 202416 min

Ep 12Low Stress Handling and Stockmanship with Dr. Dean Fish (Part 2)

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt Knight is joined by Dr. Dean Fish. After editing the Low-Stress Handling and Stockmanship video, they sat down in the new podcast studio on campus to discuss the topic in more detail.R. Dean Fish, Ph.D. is the Ranch Manager for the Santa Fe Ranch and a member of the NCBA Stockmanship and Stewardship Team. As the Ranch Manager for the Santa Fe Ranch Foundation, he works to develop problem solving research for his fellow beef producers. The foundation also works to get kids out of doors through agricultural literacy, hiking, camping and learning about the environment. Fish also raises commercial Angus cattle and club calves. Prior to managing the ranch, he was an extension livestock specialist for the University of Arizona. He has served on the Arizona Beef Council and is the past president of the Southern Arizona Cattlemen’s Protective Association. Fish has served in a leadership role for many livestock and service organizations. In addition, he has worked with Todd McCartney, Dr. Ron Gill and Curt Pate planning and delivering Stockmanship and Stewardship at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattle Industry Conference and Trade Show. Fish is passionate about spreading the stockmanship and stewardship message, as he has seen the benefits in his own and other operations where the principles are implemented.This podcast was made possible by the generous support of:Maine New Farmers ProjectMaine Beef Producers AssociationNational Cattlemen's Beef AssociationMaine Grazing Behavior LabOther Links:Santa Fe Ranch MissionNational Cattlemen's’Beef Association Stockmanship and Stewardship programWhile Dr. Fish was in Maine, we recorded a 4K video highlighting the principals of Low Stress Handling and Stockmanship:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBmACbsAE8kTo learn more about the Maine Farmcast, visithttps://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Jul 24, 202428 min

Ep 11Low Stress Handling and Stockmanship with Dr. Dean Fish (Part 1)

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt Knight is joined by Dr. Dean Fish from Arizona to discuss his background in beef ranching in Arizona, how cattle can serve as a therapeutic tool, and his journey into stockmanship and stewardship.R. Dean Fish, Ph.D. is the Ranch Manager for the Santa Fe Ranch and a member of the NCBA Stockmanship and Stewardship Team. As the Ranch Manager for the Santa Fe Ranch Foundation, he works to develop problem solving research for his fellow beef producers. The foundation also works to get kids out of doors through agricultural literacy, hiking, camping and learning about the environment. Fish also raises commercial Angus cattle and club calves. Prior to managing the ranch, he was an extension livestock specialist for the University of Arizona. He has served on the Arizona Beef Council and is the past president of the Southern Arizona Cattlemen’s Protective Association. Fish has served in a leadership role for many livestock and service organizations. In addition, he has worked with Todd McCartney, Dr. Ron Gill and Curt Pate planning and delivering Stockmanship and Stewardship at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattle Industry Conference and Trade Show. Fish is passionate about spreading the stockmanship and stewardship message, as he has seen the benefits in his own and other operations where the principles are implemented.This podcast was made possible by the generous support of:Maine New Farmers ProjectMaine Beef Producers AssociationNational Cattlemen's Beef AssociationMaine Grazing Behavior LabOther Links:Santa Fe Ranch MissionNational Cattlemen's’Beef Association Stockmanship and Stewardship programWhile Dr. Fish was in Maine, we recorded a 4K video highlighting the principals of Low Stress Handling and Stockmanship:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBmACbsAE8kTo learn more about the Maine Farmcast, visithttps://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Jul 17, 202436 min

Ep 10Sire Selection Strategies to Maximize Beef on Dairy with Dr. Bailey Basiel

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Bailey Basiel, who is currently a postdoctoral student at the Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory (AGIL). Dr. Basiel grew up in Connecticut and obtained her Bachelors in Animal Science from the University of New Hampshire. Most recently, she obtained her Ph.D. from Penn State University, where she conducted beef on dairy research with a focus on genetics. To learn more about Dr. Bailey Basiel:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bailey-Basiel To learn more about AGIL:https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/beltsville-md-barc/beltsville-agricultural-research-center/agil/To learn more about the Premium Beef on Dairy Program from the University of Wisconsin:https://dairymgt.cals.wisc.edu/tools.phpIn complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Jul 10, 202425 min