Annual Meeting
The Maine Agriculture Trade Show will be held this year on January 9, 10, and 11, 2024. The MBPA Annual Meeting will be held on that Wednesday, January 10 at the Augusta Civic Center. During this meeting there will be the election of new Board Members and presentation of our Annual Awards. The educational segment is being finalized and will be announced shortly on our Facebook Page. All are invited to the meeting. Come and meet fellow beef producers.
Cattlemen's College
Once a year since November 2017 the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service and the Maine Beef Producers Association have invited cattlemen to gather in Maine to socialize and learn about the most current trends in raising beef cattle. National industry leaders and educators have come to Maine to join us for several days of education, entertainment and good eating. The 2023 College will be on August 24-26 with locations around the state. Go to Events to find the link.
Click here for more information about this event.Maine Agriculture Trade Show
The Maine Department of Agriculture and Forestry has announced that 2024 Maine Agricultural Trade Show will be heid this year on January 9, 10, and 11, 2024.
Calves for Kids
Beginning in 2007, this program has given dozens of youth in the state of Maine a registered beef heifer calf to show and to start their herd. The youth are then obliged to breed the heifer to a registered bull and give back the first born heifer to the program. Of the heifers that have gone to youth about half were donated or bought by the MBPA and the other half were given back through the program. The application deadline is April 1 and the calf is awarded at the Fryeburg Fair.
Northeast Livestock Exposition
The Northeast Livestock Exposition (NELE) is a non profit organization run by an all volunteer Board of Directors since 2006. It draws beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and Boer goats, for its shows, educational events, youth events, and auctions. It also hosts Kid’s Day, a learning adventure for thousands of local school children. It is always the third Weekend in May at the Windsor Fairgrounds. The MBPA is a participating organization and sponsor of NELE. NELE will be held on May 18-21.
Click here for more information about this event.Bull-Heifer-Club Calf Sale
On the Friday of the 4H market animal auction at the Fryeburg Fair the MBPA holds its annual Bull and Heifer Club Calf Sale. The sale takes place immediately after the 4H auction at Beef Show Arena and offers some of the animals shown at the Fair. This sale is a great opportunity to purchase club calves for showing next year or quality breeding stock. Fryeburg Fair animal vaccination applies to all animals at the Fair. Contact Jesse Caron, 207-356-5069, for more information.
Feeder and Pen Sale
Due to a lack of available animal for sale, we have no plans for future auctions. MBPA members may list feeders and breeding stock on our webpage.
Click here for more information about this event.Youth Scholarship
The MBPA began the Youth Scholarship during 2018 and gave its first scholarships to two women at the Northeast Livestock Exposition in 2019. We will be giving up to two $500 scholarships a year to Maine students going on for higher education. Application deadline is April 1 and the Scholarship is awarded in the spring. The majority of the fundraising for the scholarship is through a silent auction at the Cattlemen's Conference but donations are always welcome.
Annual Awards
Every year since 1989, at our annual meeting the MBPA gives five awards to farms or individuals who have been outstanding in the beef industry. BEEF PRODUCER AWARD is given to a farm or individual who has produced consistent high quality beef cattle marketed as feeder cattle, fed cattle, or direct market beef. HALL OF FAME is awarded to an individual or farm organization for making a significant contribution to beef production in Maine. SEED STOCK PRODUCER is an award given to a farm operation honoring their accomplishments in the breeding and marketing of purebred seed stock.SERVICE AWARD is given to an individual or organization for their distinguished service to Maine beef producers.YOUTH AWARD is awarded to a person under age 21 for their beef production and promotional accomplishments. We are curreently soliciting nominations from our membership.
View our past recipientsBeef Quality Assurance
The MBPA was instrumental in bringing BQA, a nationally recognized program, to Maine. The program assists beef producers by providing standards and guidelines for improved farm management to reduce animal stress and increase profitability as well as giving buyers confidence that animals are being treated in a humane manner. BQA programs will be scheduled throughout 2023 to be held in each Maine county. Contact the Extension Service to learn more about these events; melissa.libby1@maine.edu, 207-749-5602.