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In response to the increased interest by many livestock farmers in the effective utilization of pasture for raising & finishing livestock, MGFN has been created to gather and provide information and support to interested farmers.

Many livestock farmers in Maine are learning about potential advantages of growing grass as carefully managed pasture for their livestock. Growing grass in Maine takes advantage of our short growing season & cool climate. Keeping land in pasture reduces soil erosion caused by row crops.

Grass farming and pasture raised livestock utilize pastureland effectively, while improving animal health, product quality & market advantage. Pasture raised milk, meat, poultry, & eggs have the potential for high nutritional content and higher market prices. Grass farming can increase profitability, helping to keep farms & farmland viable and maintaining the rural character of our communities.

With the support of a grant from SARE, the Northeast Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, the coordinators held a series of pasture walks last summer, and a first annual conference in October 2004. They have arranged future workshops and talks for 2005. They also plan to produce information to help farmers, and create a core group of trained professionals in Cooperative Extension, MOFGA, Maine Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Farmer-consultants also will be available to provide technical information and support to a network of grass-based farmers in Maine. A database and email network of livestock farmers and professionals who wish to be part of the  network are being developed. Fact sheets for professionals and farmers will be created with topics to include: forage identification, fencing methods, watering systems, pasture management (reclamation, set-up, evaluation), predator control, & genetics.

Putting knowledge to work with the people of Maine

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Last Modified: 03/31/08
These pages are currently being maintained from the
Waldo County Office, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
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