On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Lily Calderwood, UMaine Extension Wild Blueberry Specialist and Associate Professor of Horticulture. During this conversation we talk about the history of wild blueberries in Maine, Lily’s research and how to grow and tend your own wild blueberries at home. Growing Wild Blueberries at Home https://extens...
Jul 23, 2025•23 min•Ep. 64
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Drs. Glenda Pereira and Colt Knight sit down with Dr. Gary Anderson, Animal and BioSciences Specialist Emeritus, University of Maine. The conversation reviews milk quality guidelines and cleanliness after milking and to review in the milk room. Dr. Anderson was a professor at the University of Maine, and served in the role of dairy specialist working on programs such as milk quality and sanitation, estate planning, Green Pastures program and more. Dr. Ander...
Jul 16, 2025•21 min•Ep. 63
In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt Knight dives into the fascinating world of zebrafish research with Mark Nilan, who manages the University of Maine’s animal care facility, and student lab assistant Megan Joynt. They chat about why zebrafish are such great research models, from their genetic similarities to humans and transparent embryos to their rapid development, and introduce the special “Abby” line used for its controlled genetics. They also share details about current projects...
Jul 09, 2025•42 min•Ep. 62
In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt Knight welcomes back Dr. Dean Fish, a seasoned livestock expert from Arizona, for a deep dive into the art and value of livestock judging. Recorded during Dr. Fish’s visit to Maine to help lead a youth livestock judging clinic, this engaging conversation explores the foundational skills of evaluating market and breeding animals, the practical and philosophical aspects of animal welfare, and the evolving role of genetics in modern beef production. T...
Jul 02, 2025•40 min•Ep. 61
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira records the podcast episode from the Azores. Glenda talked with Helder Ponte who is a dairy farmer in Sao Miguel, Azores about precision technologies, specifically, wearable technologies and how farmers are using these to improve management. In addition to being a dairy farmer, Ponte provides technical service to Azorean dairy farmers for technologies and equipment, and is a professional cattle show fitter. Want to learn about dairy cow t...
Jun 25, 2025•21 min•Ep. 60
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt W. Knight is once again joined by friend of the podcast, Dr. Gregg Rentfrow of the University of Kentucky, to discuss a program he helped launch in Kentucky, Cook Wild Kentucky. I really like this program, and I think that its principles could be tailored to market locally raised and sold livestock and farmstands here in Maine. Cook Wild Kentucky recipes In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of divers...
Jun 18, 2025•25 min•Ep. 59
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira and Dr. Juan Romero team up with the Tri-State Dairy Team for a special crossover episode. Together, they explore how to optimize haymaking in Maine and northern New England. Dr. Romero, an Associate Professor of Animal Nutrition, conducts research on forage quality and conservation, ruminant nutrition, and PFAS. He also teaches courses in forage science, range management, and animal nutrition within the School of Food and Agriculture. Yo...
Jun 11, 2025•24 min•Ep. 58
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Sarah Littlefield. Sarah is the executive director for the Maine Dairy Promotion Board and the Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council, and a dairy farmer. This episode was recorded on Sarah's family farm and included information and events occurring during Maine Dairy Month. Learn more about Maine Dairy and Nutri...
Jun 05, 2025•14 min•Ep. 57
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, we're joined by Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, Extension Professor and Beef Specialist for the University of Kentucky. Jeff discusses his diverse background in agriculture and some pertinent research results from his recent research in accessing the efficacy of different types and routes of administration of common cattle dewormers on the market. Stay tuned for next week’s episode when we discuss pasture health and regenerative practices of grazing livestock. Dr. Jef...
May 28, 2025•36 min•Ep. 56
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Drs. Glenda Pereira and Colt Knight sit down with Dr. Hannah Carter, Associate Provost for Online and Continuing Education and Dean of University of Maine Cooperative Extension. During our conversation we discussed “what is Extension,” the Morrill Act of 1862, the role of Extension and key programs that UMaine Extension offers and how it supports local communities, and inspires future leaders in agriculture. Dr. Carter grew up in Aroostook County and has di...
May 21, 2025•44 min•Ep. 55
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Knight sits down with Dr. Gregg Rentfrow, Professor of Meat Science and State Meat Specialist for the University of Kentucky, to discuss one of my favorite topics, barbecue. My BBQ journey began when I was a teenager showing horses in the South with my parents and going on road trips across the country with my dad. We got to experience the old school “mom and pop” BBQ stands and shops before BBQ became a national phenomenon. Back then, BBQ was less pret...
May 14, 2025•40 min•Ep. 54
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Drs. Glenda Pereira and Colt Knight sit down with Donna Coffin, Professor Emerita, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. She was a professor at the University of Maine, and served in the role of extension educator in Piscataquis and Penobscot Counties. In this conversation we talk about all things including her program "So You Want to Farm in Maine," being the first female agricultural extension agent in Ohio, and her passion for spinning and fiber pro...
May 07, 2025•50 min•Ep. 53
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Drs. Glenda Pereira and Colt Knight discuss the basics of raising pigs. Dr. Knight owns a 14-acre registered Berkshire Farm in Garland, Maine with the distinct honor of being the top Berkshire breeder since 2023. Dr. Knight also serves on the National Pork Board Swine Education and Outreach Advisory Board where he helps plan the annual Swine Educators conference and reviews grant applications for swine education and research funded by the Pork Checkoff. You...
May 01, 2025•42 min•Ep. 52
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Drs. Glenda Pereira and Colt Knight sit down with Dr. Gary Anderson, Animal and Bioscience Specialist Emeritus, University of Maine. The conversation reviews milk quality guidelines and cleanliness during milking. Dr. Anderson was a professor at the University of Maine, and served in the role of dairy specialist working on programs such as milk quality and sanitation, estate planning, Green Pastures program and more. Dr. Anderson continues to be a resource ...
Apr 23, 2025•26 min•Ep. 51
In this special 50th episode of Maine Farmcast, host Dr. Colt Knight is joined by Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler from the University of Kentucky to discuss bale grazing as a winter feeding strategy for beef cattle. They explore how this method improves manure distribution, reduces soil compaction, and enhances forage utilization. Dr. Lehmkuhler shares insights from a multi-state research project studying bale grazing’s impact on soil health and fertility. The episode covers best practices for bale placemen...
Apr 16, 2025•36 min•Ep. 50
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Jaime Garzon about how to start a grazing plan. Dr. Jaime Garzon is an Assistant Extension Professor and Forage Educator at the UMaine Extension. His extension program seeks to develop and conduct educational outreach and applied research with emphasis on forage production and regenerative pasture manage...
Apr 09, 2025•14 min•Ep. 49
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Ankit Singh who is an Assistant Extension Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Ornamental Horticulture at UMaine. Dr. Singh is based in York County, and has statewide responsibilities for ornamental horticulture. Contact: ankit.singh@maine.edu or 207.324.2814 Learn more about Dr. Ankit Singh Learn mo...
Apr 02, 2025•24 min•Ep. 48
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, and Dr. Colt Knight, sit down with Dr. Dana Hill who is part of the UMaine Livestock team. Dr. Hill is an Assistant Extension Professor, Veterinarian Specialist, and the Director of the UMaine Extension Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She has a special interest in infectious disease research and obtained a combined residency and Ph.D. in anatomic pathology at Iowa State University. In her downtime, Hill enjoys hiking with her husband, ...
Mar 26, 2025•33 min•Ep. 47
On this episode of Maine Farmcast, Glenda and Colt explore the rising cost of eggs. The discussion highlights the impact of the concurrent bird flu epidemic, which has led to the loss of 166 million poultry, causing a disruption in egg supply. They clarify the differences between broilers and layers, explaining why chicken meat prices have remained stable while egg prices have soared. The hosts break down the economics of raising backyard chickens, comparing the costs of feed and equipment to th...
Mar 19, 2025•36 min•Ep. 46
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Ashley Marshall. Marshall is currently working as the Dairy Industry Workforce Specialist with Eastern Maine Development Corporation. She returned to Maine after her time as a Professor of Dairy Science at SUNY Morrisville. Marshall received her Ph.D. from Colorado State University in reproduction and ha...
Mar 12, 2025•22 min•Ep. 45
On this of the Maine Farmcast, Colt is joined by Lucia Brown, Deputy State Executive Director and Acting Farm Loan Chief for FSA and Amanda May, Agricultural Program Chief to discuss some of the programs and loans that FSA offers farmers. Farm Service Agency is equitably serving all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs for all Americans. A customer-driven agency with a diverse and multi-talented workforce, dedicated to ac...
Mar 05, 2025•34 min•Ep. 44
Colt grew up in a coal mining family in West Virginia where they also operated a small family farm and show horse stable. During academic breaks and between schools, he worked in strip mines across the country. Colt earned his B.S. in Animal Science at the University of Kentucky, M.S. in Animal Science at Angelo State University, and his Ph.D. in Animal Science at the University of Arizona in 2006, 2012, and 2016, respectively. In the fall of 2016, he worked on a postdoc with Dr. Derek Bailey at...
Feb 26, 2025•33 min•Ep. 43
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Sarah Allen about dairy nutrition considerations for small scale dairy farmers. Allen holds a doctorate from North Carolina State University, in which she focused on research in mycotoxin mitigation, milk quality, and milk fatty acids. After working as a dairy consultant for Purina Animal Nutrition in We...
Feb 19, 2025•24 min•Ep. 42
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Knight visits with Dr. Pereira about her background in dairy, education, and research. As the Extension Dairy Specialist, Dr. Pereira conducts applied research and develop educational programs for dairy and livestock producers across the state of Maine and New England. While the Holstein breed is near and dear to her heart, Dr. Pereira admires the Normande breed and her favorite dairy products are sour cream and ice cream. Glenda has a B.S. in Animal Sc...
Feb 12, 2025•35 min•Ep. 41
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Colt travels to the Commonwealth State of Kentucky to talk about alternative and direct marketing strategies we use here in Maine with beef producers in Kentucky. While there, he catches up with good friend and repeat podcast guest, Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler and attends the Heart of America Grazing Conference and Pasture Ecology Workshop. Dr. Lehmkuhler shared a solar powered water well system. They also got to take part in a presentation where pastoralists discu...
Feb 05, 2025•51 min•Ep. 40
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Eduardo Stern, Director of Tropical Seeds LLC, and Dr. Jaime Garzon, Assistant Extension Professor and Forage Educator, drop by to discuss some new research of cover crops. Tropical Seeds LLC is a Florida-based company that markets seeds for tropical forage crops, including sunn hemp, a fast-growing warm-season legume used as a forage or cover crop in many countries worldwide. In this episode, we discuss the advantages of using cover crops in agricultural s...
Jan 29, 2025•26 min•Ep. 39
Recorded in front of live studio audience. On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Colt and Glenda set up shop on the main stage of the the Maine Agricultural Trades Show in Augusta, Maine on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 to record a live show with Kevin Woltemath of Pineland Natural Meats to discuss his journey through agriculture, his work with beef producers in the Pine Tree State, his involvement with the Maine agricultural industry over the last 20 years and his thoughts on the future of agric...
Jan 22, 2025•32 min•Ep. 38
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Knight sits down with Madison Philbrick, Academic Advisor and Program Coordinator for Animal and Veterinary Sciences in the College of Earth, Health, and Life Sciences at the University of Maine. As a Maine native, Maddy grew up in a coastal community, and worked her way through college earning both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Animal and Veterinary Science. Before transferring to her current role, she served as the J. F. Witter Center Livestock ...
Jan 15, 2025•35 min•Ep. 37
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Colt visited the National Swine Education and Outreach Conference in Kansas City, Missouri where he got the chance to sit down with fellow swine enthusiast, Casey Zangaro, Swine Extension Educator for Michigan State University. Extension agents from Michigan, Maine, Iowa, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania worked together to acquire a grant from the National Pork Board to gather information about small scale swine producers and veterinarians from across the country...
Jan 08, 2025•28 min•Ep. 36
On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Glenda and Colt are joined by Bella Russo, Director of Maine AgrAbility, and Brie Weisman, occupational therapist, to discuss Maine AgrAbility. Addressing health, safety, and the prevention of injuries across the state of Maine— on the farm, on the water, and in the forest. The Maine AgrAbility project is dedicated to helping farmers, fishermen, and forest workers work safely and more productively. Maine AgrAbility is designed to assist owners, operators, m...
Jan 01, 2025•35 min•Ep. 35
