WORKSHOPS
Pasture Walk & Beef Cattle Evaluation - Saturday, June 11th (1-4pm)
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RSVP for Pasture Walk & Beef Cattle Evaluation
Saturday, June 11th 2022 (1pm-4pm) Stone Hill Farm, Plainfield, CT [REGISTER HERE] 265 Gendron Rd, Plainfield, CT 06374 Contact: Sarah Cogswell, TLI Executive Director (508) 542-0434 sarah@thelivestockinstitute.org On Saturday June 11th, 2022 join The Livestock Institute, UConn Extension and NRCS at Stone Hill Farm to participate in a beef ultrasound demonstration and pasture walk. Our host and livestock producer Jennie Kapszukiewicz will describe her 100% grass-fed operation, what she looks for to determine harvest readiness in her animals and how pasture health and management leads to those decisions. UConn Ext. Livestock Specialist Joe Emenheiser will guide us through the basics of beef quality and yield, including key aspects of market cattle visual evaluation and an ultrasound demonstration. Jim Hyde (NRCS) will lead a pasture stick demonstration and discussion on bale grazing at Stone Hill Farm and more. (Free event.) This work is part of a grant funded collaboration with TLI and UConn Ext. on meat quality and improved farm profitability. If you’re a livestock producer and would like to partner this work, please contact Sarah at sarah@thelivestockinstitute.org. |
TLI's Annual Meeting - Thursday Feb. 24th, 7:00pm (Virtual)
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Join TLI for its Annual Meeting - REGISTER HERE On February 24th, all TLI members in good standing will be able to vote for the Member Board position during the Annual Meeting. If you have any questions please contact Sarah Cogswell, TLI Program Director at sarah@thelivestockinstitute.org |
Seeking Livestock Farms to join us in our Baleage & Soil Testing for 2022
ACCEPTING FARMS NOW!
Join TLI and its Education Committee in gathering data on regional livestock farms! TLI is offering FREE baleage and soil testing for livestock farms in MA, RI and CT.
Email Sarah at sarah@thelivestockinstitute.org to sign up!
NEWS & UPDATES
October 2021 - Meatworks Management Transition
The past month or so has seen several key management changes at Meatworks.
First of all in mid September, Sue Motha took over the role of Plant Manager at Meatworks. Sue has been with Meatworks since we opened the doors in 2018 and she has done an excellent job with the overall plant operations, gaining a wide understanding of the day-to-day work at the plant. We are all very excited to see Sue expand her responsibilities...Continue reading full article here.
The past month or so has seen several key management changes at Meatworks.
First of all in mid September, Sue Motha took over the role of Plant Manager at Meatworks. Sue has been with Meatworks since we opened the doors in 2018 and she has done an excellent job with the overall plant operations, gaining a wide understanding of the day-to-day work at the plant. We are all very excited to see Sue expand her responsibilities...Continue reading full article here.
PRODUCER EDUCATION
VIEW TLI's 2021 Winter Livestock Conference on TLI's YouTube channel!
Fencing Workshop & Pasture Walk
Saturday September 11th - 9:00am-3:00pm
Plainfield, CT
Join TLI and the New England Grazing Network for our upcoming Fencing Workshop & Pasture Walk, Saturday Sept. 11th at 9am.
The event is in collaboration with the New England Grazing Network and supported by the Cedar Tree foundation. An educator from Wellscroft will be on site, and topics will include fencing tutorials, materials, maintenance, and troubleshooting. For a full description of the event, and to register, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fencing-clinic-tickets-167072669853
Registration is limited. ($10 TLI members, $20 non-members). For questions about your membership status, please contact Sarah Cogswell at sarah@thelivestockinstitute.org. For questions about the event, please contact Sam Corcoran at sglazecorcor@umass.edu.
The event is in collaboration with the New England Grazing Network and supported by the Cedar Tree foundation. An educator from Wellscroft will be on site, and topics will include fencing tutorials, materials, maintenance, and troubleshooting. For a full description of the event, and to register, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fencing-clinic-tickets-167072669853
Registration is limited. ($10 TLI members, $20 non-members). For questions about your membership status, please contact Sarah Cogswell at sarah@thelivestockinstitute.org. For questions about the event, please contact Sam Corcoran at sglazecorcor@umass.edu.
CONSERVATION AGRICULTURAL LEASESPresented at the 2021 MA & RI Land Conservation Conference
Joyce Meader (TLI Board Member and Education Committee Chair) recently gave at presentation at the MA & RI Conservation Conference entitled, “Conservation Agricultural Leases". View Joyce's work, including resources for land trusts, soil health, rental rates and more. View the presentation here. Questions? Email Joyce Meader at joycemeader@yahoo.com |
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USDA Has Reopened Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2
USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. The new initiative—USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers—will reach a broader set of producers than in previous COVID-19 aid programs. The Department will also develop rules for new programs that will put a greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers, specialty crop and organic producers, and timber harvesters, as well as provide support for the food supply chain and producers of renewable fuel, among others. Existing programs like the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will fall within the new initiative and, where statutory authority allows, will be refined to better address the needs of producers.
Visit farmers.gov/CFAP, #CFAP for more information.
Visit farmers.gov/CFAP, #CFAP for more information.
MDAR ANNOUNCEMENT - Open Application Period for MDAR Grants
MDAR is now accepting applications from agricultural operations who wish to participate in the Department’s grant programs. Grants are available to help agricultural operations make farm improvements that enhance their economic viability, help prevent negative impacts to environmental resource, adapt and mitigate climate change, improve energy efficiency, adopt renewable energy, and improve on-farm composting. Interested farm operators are encouraged to review the information and applications on each program’s webpage. If interested in applying, applications must be submitted with any supporting documentation by the program’s deadline.
For more information (including applications) please visit the program’s website or contact Sean Bowen at (617) 626-1724 or Sean.Bowen@mass.gov.
https://www.mass.gov/guides/agricultural-grants-and-financial-assistance-programs
Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP)- Application due: 4:00PM on Friday, June 11, 2021
APR Improvement Program (AIP) - Application due: 4:00PM on Thursday, April 29, 2021
Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP) - Application due: 4:00PM on Thursday, April 29, 2021
Matching Enterprise Grants Program (MEGA) - Application due: 4:00PM on Thursday, April 29, 2021
Ag Composting Improvement Program (ACIP) - Application due: 4:00PM on Tuesday, June 1, 2021
For more information (including applications) please visit the program’s website or contact Sean Bowen at (617) 626-1724 or Sean.Bowen@mass.gov.
https://www.mass.gov/guides/agricultural-grants-and-financial-assistance-programs
Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP)- Application due: 4:00PM on Friday, June 11, 2021
APR Improvement Program (AIP) - Application due: 4:00PM on Thursday, April 29, 2021
Farm Viability Enhancement Program (FVEP) - Application due: 4:00PM on Thursday, April 29, 2021
Matching Enterprise Grants Program (MEGA) - Application due: 4:00PM on Thursday, April 29, 2021
Ag Composting Improvement Program (ACIP) - Application due: 4:00PM on Tuesday, June 1, 2021
TLI Annual Meeting (video recording) - Memo to Our Members
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MEATWORKS DATA SETS
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The Livestock Institute's Education Committee is excited to expand its producer education with processing data from Meatworks' extensive Vista Trak system. From this data we will develop additional monthly updates and educational tools for producers on topics like cut yield data, trends in specific cuts, filling out cut sheets and more. Our hope is to continue open dialogue on best livestock management and marketing practices for small scale farms.
MONTHLY AVERAGE HOT WEIGHT* - 2020
We are taking a look back at 2020 in these charts, emphasizing average hot weight (or dressed weight) per month for beef and pork. How did your hot weights compare to the monthly averages? USDA averages for further comparison. [*Hot (or dressed) weight is "un-chilled weight of the carcass after slaughter and the removal of the head, hide, intestinal tract, and internal organs." UGA Ext.] |
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MONTHLY eNEWSLETTERS
Stay current with TLI news and updates - or check back at archived articles. Click below for access to our newsletters.
https://tinyurl.com/yckggsdf
UPCOMING EVENTS
CONNECTING WITH CHEFS at the MEATWORKS' RETAIL STORE
GRILLED FLANK STEAK w/ Avocado Chimichurri. Click on the file below to see the full size recipe!
Grilled Flank Steak with Avocado Chimichurri
Recipe from The Holistic Trick Culinary Services
Chef Haley Pollock of The Holistic Trick shared with us one of her favorite recipes using local beef from Meatworks' Retail Store. You can learn more about Haley and her culinary business at https://www.holistictrick.com/.
Recipe from The Holistic Trick Culinary Services
Chef Haley Pollock of The Holistic Trick shared with us one of her favorite recipes using local beef from Meatworks' Retail Store. You can learn more about Haley and her culinary business at https://www.holistictrick.com/.
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WEBINARS FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS
View past webinars at
https://ag.umass.edu/crops-dairy-livestock-equine/videos-guides
The series is a collaboration among UMass Extension, UVM Extension, & UMaineExtension, and is supported in part by a Northeast SARE Research and Education Grant with organization and administration supported by the Livestock Institute of
Southern New England via the New England Grazing Network with the support of the Cedar Tree Foundation.
For any questions about the series, please contact Sam Corcoran at
sglazecorcor@umass.edu
https://ag.umass.edu/crops-dairy-livestock-equine/videos-guides
The series is a collaboration among UMass Extension, UVM Extension, & UMaineExtension, and is supported in part by a Northeast SARE Research and Education Grant with organization and administration supported by the Livestock Institute of
Southern New England via the New England Grazing Network with the support of the Cedar Tree Foundation.
For any questions about the series, please contact Sam Corcoran at
sglazecorcor@umass.edu
Sign up for TLI's newsletter to get up to date information on these events and more! Sign up here.
Past Seminars
Webinars on Livestock Production & Nutrition
Provided by Co-operative Feed Dealers, Inc.
CFD is creating a series of webinars for livestock producers in collaboration with TLI and SEMAP. Join the events live using the links below, or check back for recorded versions here.
PREVIOUSLY RECORDED: To view the webinars below please click on the highlighted links. (May require a GoToWebinar account.)
TMR Heating and Fermentation - https://tinyurl.com/ycucblsb
Beef Cattle Minerals - https://tinyurl.com/y9mfculg
Common Diseases of Poultry (longer time) - https://tinyurl.com/y9xe4t32
Provided by Co-operative Feed Dealers, Inc.
CFD is creating a series of webinars for livestock producers in collaboration with TLI and SEMAP. Join the events live using the links below, or check back for recorded versions here.
PREVIOUSLY RECORDED: To view the webinars below please click on the highlighted links. (May require a GoToWebinar account.)
TMR Heating and Fermentation - https://tinyurl.com/ycucblsb
Beef Cattle Minerals - https://tinyurl.com/y9mfculg
Common Diseases of Poultry (longer time) - https://tinyurl.com/y9xe4t32
TLI Annual Meeting & Potluck
Thursday February 20th, 2020 6:00pmDartmouth Grange Hall, 1133 Fisher Rd., Dartmouth MAAll are welcome to this potluck event!
Join The Livestock Institute of Southern New England for their Annual Meeting on Thursday February 20th, 2020 at 6:00pm. The night's presentation will include updates on TLI, Meatworks and programming for livestock producers. |
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TLI to present!
SEMAP's 13th Annual Agriculture & Food Conference
Sunday February 23rd, 2020 @ Bristol County Agricultural High School, Dighton MA
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The Livestock Institute & Meatworks Panel Presentation: 'Lessons Learned and Vision for the Future'
Join TLI at this year's SEMAP Ag & Food Conference at Bristol Aggie High School. The Livestock Institute will panel a discussion on their work with livestock producers, including an update on the Meatworks facility, a state of the art custom slaughterhouse in Westport MA. |
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Farm to Tapas, August 12, 2018
Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP), in partnership with The Livestock Institute of Southern New England (TLI), will be holding the 4th Annual Farm to Tapas event August 12, 2018. Last summer’s event was hosted at the historic home and farm of Joseph P. Keith III. Dozens of local restaurants, caterers, vintners, cheese makers, bakers and others set up stations featuring a wide variety of delicious tapas and spirits. A live auction and a foot stomping bluegrass band kept everyone on their toes as the bidding began for our charity auction.
This year’s Farm to Tapas will be hosted by Kissy Russell at her home at Barney’s Joy Creek Farm in South Dartmouth, MA., overlooking Buzzards bay and the Elizabeth Islands. SEMAP and TLI share in the proceeds from this amazing gastronomical event, funding educational workshops focusing on small farms, diversification, enhancing their current farming practices, and much more.
CHECK BACK FOR FARM to TAPAS 2020 INFO!
This year’s Farm to Tapas will be hosted by Kissy Russell at her home at Barney’s Joy Creek Farm in South Dartmouth, MA., overlooking Buzzards bay and the Elizabeth Islands. SEMAP and TLI share in the proceeds from this amazing gastronomical event, funding educational workshops focusing on small farms, diversification, enhancing their current farming practices, and much more.
CHECK BACK FOR FARM to TAPAS 2020 INFO!
Sarah Flack - Advanced Pasture Management
Sarah Flack, August 17 & 18, 2018
Back by popular demand, Sarah Flack will be on the South Coast for two seminars this summer. She'll do a half-day workshop on August 17 in Dartmouth, MA, followed by a pot-luck dinner. A full-day Grazing School seminar will happen on August 18 at Weatherlow Farms.
Friday August 17th, 1:30 to 5:00 Matching livestock numbers to land base to increase farm income
The first part of this session will include a farm visit and discussion of land base assessment and different grazing management methods can increase, or decrease the number of acres needed for the herd. We’ll review how to size paddocks, calculate stocking density and stocking rate and how that helps determine what the ideal herd size is for your farm. Then we will look at how to tie that information into cash flow projections and business planning. We will look at how setting different pasture dry matter intake goals or adjusting the type of grazing system can change how many animals the farm can support, and what the cost of production will be.
Saturday, August 18th, 10am - 4pm, Grazing School
The morning portion of this workshop will focus on creating a solid understanding of the basic principles of good grazing management systems. Starting first from the plants perspective, we will look at the needs of perennial pasture plants and how to meet those needs by following the grazing guidelines. From there we will do some group exercises and practice to learn how to calculate paddock sizes, stocking densities, stocking rates and understand what the ideal number of acres for a flock or herd is. We will then use real farm examples to practice dry matter measurements, paddock sizing, stock density and learn more about perennial plant anatomy and physiology. In the afternoon we will look at pasture from the livestock perspective, learning techniques to meet their nutritional needs, maximize pasture dry matter intake, provide low stress handling and when shade or shelter should be planned into the grazing. Though out the day we will look at practical ways to apply this information to improve pasture quality and productivity, while also improving livestock wellbeing and performance. This session will include indoor classroom time and outdoor time in the pastures. You will want to bring clothing to be comfortable both indoors, and outdoors in rain or sun. Bring a calculator and notebook.
Sarah Flack, August 17 & 18, 2018
Back by popular demand, Sarah Flack will be on the South Coast for two seminars this summer. She'll do a half-day workshop on August 17 in Dartmouth, MA, followed by a pot-luck dinner. A full-day Grazing School seminar will happen on August 18 at Weatherlow Farms.
Friday August 17th, 1:30 to 5:00 Matching livestock numbers to land base to increase farm income
The first part of this session will include a farm visit and discussion of land base assessment and different grazing management methods can increase, or decrease the number of acres needed for the herd. We’ll review how to size paddocks, calculate stocking density and stocking rate and how that helps determine what the ideal herd size is for your farm. Then we will look at how to tie that information into cash flow projections and business planning. We will look at how setting different pasture dry matter intake goals or adjusting the type of grazing system can change how many animals the farm can support, and what the cost of production will be.
Saturday, August 18th, 10am - 4pm, Grazing School
The morning portion of this workshop will focus on creating a solid understanding of the basic principles of good grazing management systems. Starting first from the plants perspective, we will look at the needs of perennial pasture plants and how to meet those needs by following the grazing guidelines. From there we will do some group exercises and practice to learn how to calculate paddock sizes, stocking densities, stocking rates and understand what the ideal number of acres for a flock or herd is. We will then use real farm examples to practice dry matter measurements, paddock sizing, stock density and learn more about perennial plant anatomy and physiology. In the afternoon we will look at pasture from the livestock perspective, learning techniques to meet their nutritional needs, maximize pasture dry matter intake, provide low stress handling and when shade or shelter should be planned into the grazing. Though out the day we will look at practical ways to apply this information to improve pasture quality and productivity, while also improving livestock wellbeing and performance. This session will include indoor classroom time and outdoor time in the pastures. You will want to bring clothing to be comfortable both indoors, and outdoors in rain or sun. Bring a calculator and notebook.
Advanced Pasture Management Seminar
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Sarah Flack is the author of The Art and Science of Grazing, and Organic Dairy Production and is a nationally known speaker and consultant specializing in grass based and organic livestock farming. She grew up on a Vermont family farm that used management-intensive grazing and mob stocking. She later pursued graduate studies on pasture management at the University of Vermont. She has written extensively about grass farming and is known for teaching workshops that take a practical approach to applying the science of grazing. Sarah has successfully helped many farmers create positive change in their pastures, soils, livestock, finances, and farm-family quality of life.
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