On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, assistant extension professor and state dairy specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, speaks with Joe Lawrence, dairy forage systems specialist with the Cornell PRO-DAIRY team. Lawrence works with the New York dairy industry as a private-sector certified crop adviser and as a field crops educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension. They discuss key tips farmers should consider as they prepare for the spring planting and harvesting season.

• Learn more about Joe Lawrence
• Dynamic Harvest Schedules
• Strategic Forage Storage Planning

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination. For more information, visit extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt Knight talks with Dana Brown, a dairy nutritionist, former president of the Maine Beef Producers Association and livestock producer, about the revival and impact of the Northeast Livestock Expo, known as NELE. They discuss how the long-running Maine event has evolved into a multi-species educational experience that brings together youth, producers and industry partners. From its roots in livestock shows and sales, NELE now emphasizes hands-on learning and continues to connect young people with agriculture.

The conversation highlights a renewed focus on youth development through beef judging clinics, livestock handling demonstrations, public speaking training and marketing competitions. Knight and Brown also discuss the challenges of rebuilding in-person programming after the COVID-19 pandemic and how NELE is adapting to meet the needs of today’s agricultural community. With free admission for youth, interactive learning opportunities and an emphasis on building confidence and communication skills, the episode underscores the importance of investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders.

• Northeast Livestock Expo
• Northeast Livestock Expo Facebook

The Northeast Livestock Expo wouldn’t be possible without these sponsors:

United Ag and Turf - Northeast Chapter, Fairfield, Maine.

Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs

Rolleston Veterinary Services

Maine Dairy Industry Association

Maine Fair Foundation

Pineland Farms

Express Electric EEC, INC

Central Maine Dairy Equipment

Brookside Plumbing INC

County Line Electric INC

Frontier Trailers

Alcom LLC

3D Equipment

Coops Trailer - ArrowQuip

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination. For more information, visit extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, host Colt W. Knight sits down with Courtney Morse of Robinson Insurance Agency to discuss a topic many farmers avoid until it is too late: farm insurance. From hobby farms to full-scale agribusinesses, Morse shares practical insights on how insurance needs evolve as operations grow and diversify. The conversation highlights common misconceptions, including the risks of relying solely on homeowners policies and the importance of clearly communicating farm activities, side businesses and livestock ownership to an insurance provider.

Listeners will gain a better understanding of how to protect their farms through comprehensive coverage options that combine property, liability, livestock and business assets into a single farm package. The episode explores real-world scenarios, including storm damage, equipment losses, agritourism risks and livestock liability, while emphasizing the value of proactive planning and honest conversations with an insurance agent. Whether starting out or expanding into farm stands, events or direct sales, the episode offers guidance to help safeguard operations and avoid costly surprises.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination. For more information, visit extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, assistant Extension professor and state dairy specialist for University of Maine Cooperative Extension, talks with Dr. Alicyn Smart, a doctor of plant medicine and plant pathologist and director of the Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Maine. Dr. Smart also is the executive director of the National Plant Diagnostic Network. One goal of the network is to strengthen U.S. agricultural biodefense and enable rapid communication and response to new pathogens.

The UMaine Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory has seen an increase in an emerging garlic pathogen, fusarium. Her team has sought funding to address major unknowns about fusarium and hopes to develop resistant garlic, improve diagnostic detection tools and identify cultural practices to reduce the disease in garlic plants.

• Submit a plant sample to the UMaine Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab:
  https://extension.umaine.edu/ipm/plant-disease/
• Listen to the previous episode with Dr. Alicyn Smart
  https://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/episode-91/

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination. For more information, visit extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.

After 100 episodes of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt W. Knight and Dr. Glenda Pereira take a moment to reflect on the journey. What started as a leap into the unknown has grown into a weekly podcast connecting farmers, researchers, and agricultural professionals across the country. Guided by the simple mindset of “just do it,” this milestone episode looks back at the early days, the evolution of the show, and how conversations with guests have influenced both the podcast and their Extension work.

Along the way, Colt and Glenda revisit some of their favorite moments, from meaningful discussions on sustainability and calf care to unforgettable stories and lighthearted debates, including the ongoing chocolate milk conversation. Blending humor, insight, and gratitude, this episode captures the heart of the Maine Farmcast: real conversations, practical knowledge, and the people who shape agriculture every day. Whether you’ve been listening since Episode 1 or are just tuning in, this episode celebrates 100 episodes and looks ahead to what’s next.

Featured Maine Farmcast Episodes

• Episode 1 – Ventilation with Dr. Morgan Hayes
  https://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/episode-01/
• Episode 13 - Heat Stress Considerations for Dairy Farms with Dr. Bethany Dado-Senn
  https://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/episode-13/
• Episode 15 – Shades of Green: Cows, Agrivoltaics, and Climate Resilience with Dr. Brad Heins
  https://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/episode-15/
• Episode 22 – Beef Sustainability with Dr. Sebastian Mejia Turcios
  https://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/episode-22/
• Episode 25 – Swine Genetics with Randy Shipley (Shipley Swine Genetics)
  https://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/episode-25/
• Episode 32 – Calf Chronicles: The 5 Cs of Dairy Calf Care with Bethany Dado-Senn
  https://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/episode-32/
• Episode 41 – Getting to Know your Hosts Part 1 with Dr. Glenda Pereira
  https://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/episode-41/
• Episode 43- Getting to Know your Hosts Part II with Dr. Colt W. Knight
  https://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/episode-43/
• Episode 52 – Oink if you are Ready to Get Started Raising Pigs!
  https://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/episode-52/
• Episode 68 – Brains, Bears and Butchery: Tall Tales from Extension Life with Dr. Gregg Rentfrow
  https://extension.umaine.edu/podcasts/maine-farmcast/episode-68/

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis 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, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, hosts Colt Knight and Glenda Pereira are joined by Dr. Erin Percival Carter, associate professor of marketing at the University of Maine, to examine one of the biggest challenges facing Maine farmers today: making farm businesses profitable while competing outside the commodity system. Drawing on her background in agriculture, consumer behavior research and farming experience, Carter explains why simply being a good farmer is not enough and why marketing, pricing and understanding target customers are critical to long-term success. From the realities of Maine’s higher production costs to the limits of “if you build it, they will come” thinking, the conversation reframes marketing as a necessary business tool rather than an afterthought.

• Learn more about Dr. Carter's research program
  https://umaine.edu/business/people/erin-percival-carter/
• Looking to write your own positioning statement? Here is a resource
  https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/brand-positioning-statement

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis 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, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, assistant extension professor and state dairy specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, speaks with Joe Lawrence, dairy forage systems specialist with the Cornell PRO-DAIRY team. Lawrence works with the New York dairy industry as a private-sector certified crop adviser and as a field crops educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension. They discuss the annual Commercial Corn Silage Hybrid Evaluation Program in New York and Vermont and its application to the Northeast and dairy farms.

• Learn more about Joe Lawrence
• 2025 New York and Vermont Corn Silage Hybrid Trial Results
• Understanding Growing Degree Days

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis 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, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, hosts Colt and Glenda are joined by Dr. Tom Rounsville, an applied molecular genetics specialist with University of Maine Cooperative Extension, for an engaging, wide-ranging conversation that blends humor, science and real-world problem-solving. What starts as a spirited debate about bald eagles, hawks and other wildlife quickly transitions into Dr. Rounsville's work applying molecular tools and DNA technologies to challenges facing Maine residents, producers and natural resources. He explains how genetic testing and molecular diagnostics are used across Extension programs, from veterinary and plant disease diagnostics to aquaculture and wildlife research, highlighting how these tools help identify pathogens, species and emerging risks.

• Learn more about Dr. Thomas Rounsville
• Learn more about Tom's bobcat research

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis 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, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.