{"id":8947,"date":"2024-10-01T13:47:39","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T17:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/livestock\/?page_id=8947"},"modified":"2025-10-17T10:56:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T14:56:04","slug":"maine-forage-conference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/livestock\/maine-forage-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Maine Forage Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Monday, October 27, 2025
9:00 a.m.\u20133:00 p.m.
Governor\u2019s Ballroom, 376 Main Street, Waterville, Maine 04901<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The annual Maine Forage Conference is an excellent opportunity for members of the dairy, equine, beef cattle, small ruminants, and other livestock industries to come together, learn about forages from subject matter experts and colleagues, have good food, and attend a trade show. The 2025 agenda promises the participation of featured speakers, farmer presentations, the Maine Hay Contest award ceremony, and a space for sponsor recognition, trade show, and socialization. Attendees will earn one pesticide Applicator credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost: $20 per participant; $50 per booth and two participants for the Trade Show<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n Register Online <\/span><\/a>\n\n\n\n

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Registration closes on October 20, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agenda<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • 9:00\u20139:30 a.m.:<\/strong> Registration and reception<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 9:30\u20139:40 a.m.: <\/strong>Welcome, trade show introduction, and sponsor recognition<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 9:45\u201310:15 a.m.:<\/strong> Dr. Leandro Vieira. Louisiana State University Extension. Presentation \u201cBayou to Boreal: Bridging Soil Health in Louisiana and Maine\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 10:15\u201310:45 a.m.:<\/strong> Larry Paul. Back River Farm. Presentation \u201cAccumulators and Grapples, Do They Work for Small Squares in Maine?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 10:45-11:00 a.m.:<\/strong> Break<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 11:00 a.m.\u201312:00 p.m.:<\/strong> Caragh Fitzgerald, UMaine Cooperative Extension. Presentation \u201cEnemies New and Old. Pest Challenges in Pastures, Hay, and Corn\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 12:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.:<\/strong> Dr. Leandro Vieira, Louisiana State University Extension. Presentation \u201cFertility by the Numbers: From Soil Sample to Smart Application\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m.: <\/strong>Tom Hodgman. Waldoview Farm. Presentation “Observations from High-Density Short-Duration Grazing with Sheep”<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 1:00\u20132:00 p.m.:<\/strong> Lunch<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 2:00\u20132:30 p.m.:<\/strong> Kate Turcotte, Wolfe’s Neck Center. “Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship” and Ashley Marshall, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, “Workforce Development Opportunities for Maine Dairy Farmers.”<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 2:30\u20133:00 p.m.:<\/strong> Maine Hay Contest awards<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • 3:00 p.m.:<\/strong> Adjourn<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Featured Speakers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Dr. Leandro Vieira
    <\/strong>Assistant Professor & Soil Fertility Specialist
    Louisiana State University<\/h4>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Leandro<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Leandro Vieira is an Assistant Professor and Soil Fertility Specialist at Louisiana State University. Dr. Vieira is originally from Brazil and grew up on a 6th generation family ranch in the southern mountain region. He holds a B.S. in Agronomy (Federal Institute of Santa Catarina, Brazil and Oregon State University), a M.S. degree in Soils and Plant Nutrition (University of S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil), and a Ph.D. in Soil and Water Sciences (University of Florida). Dr. Vieira also received postdoctoral training in Conservation Agronomy (Clemson University). His current research and extension interests are soil fertility and health on forage, field, and specialty crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Caragh Fitzgerald
    <\/strong>Associate Extension Professor\/Extension Educator for Agriculture
    University of Maine Cooperative Extension<\/h4>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Caragh<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Caragh Fitzgerald is an Extension Educator for Agriculture, working primarily in Kennebec County. Her work includes production of vegetables, integrated pest management, corn silage, and other forages, as well as season extension and soil health. In Kennebec, she teaches and manages the Master Gardener Volunteers program, and the Harvest for Hunger produce donation program. She holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Bowdoin College and an M.S. in Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Gold Sponsors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n