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-zangaro

Results 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).

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 #1
Farmington, Maine 04938-5828
Tel: 800.287.1478
Email: Maine.AgrAbility@maine.edu

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).

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-livestock

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).

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).

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).

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).

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 industries
• exploring the richness and diversity of the Maine food system
• developing “ag-vocacy” skills
• increasing access to career and post-secondary opportunities in agri-science and food system

If 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: extension.4hagleadership@maine.edu.

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).

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.html
• Learn more about the Deep Well Ranch
  https://www.jamesfamilytrust.com/deep-well-ranch.html

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).