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Livestock Production and Market Assistance

Assist producers with establish efficient production practices to produce a more desirable product for the consumer. Collect and analyze data on growth traits. Coordinate educational programs and marketing events for small producers to compete on the national scene. Promote preconditioning programs and sorte cattle into uniform groups. The Department works  closely with all the livestock commodity groups and other agencies on educational and marketing programs.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Maine Beef Cattle Improvement Program

This program uses CHAPS, Cow Herd Appraisal Performance Software, to analyze the cowherd on the performance of the calves at weaning time. The department provides a person with portable scales and computer to collect weaning weights and yearling weights to be entered into CHAPS for herd analysis.

Spirit of Maine Sheep Genetic Focus Program

This program assists sheep producers to increase the use of performance records. Reports are generated on industry standards.  The producers have to collect the data on their lambs and submit the data to be analyzed.

Cooperative Marketing of Livestock

Most producers in Maine are small and pooling their products makes marketing more cost affective. Working with the Maine Beef Producers Association on marketing feeder cattle has improved the quality of cattle in Maine and improved the producer’s economic gain. We provide the Maine Sheep Breeders Association with marketing assistance for their wool.