WINDSOR – Maine Beef Producers’ Association is pleased to announce that there will be a variety of sales and activities during the Northeast Livestock Expo that will be of interest to anyone planning to raise their own freezer beef. It will also provide numerous opportunities to learn more about Maine’s beef industry as a possible income source.
NELE will be held May 15 –17 at the Windsor Fairgrounds in Windsor. A Pre-conditioned Feeder Calf Sale will take place at 10 am on Saturday, May 16, with the 19th Annual Purebred Sale occurring at 3:00 pm that afternoon. The Feeder Calf Sale will feature animals between 350 and 1100 pounds. This is a great opportunity to buy pre-conditioned calves for summer grazing. Yearlings for finishing or freezer trade (grass or grain fed) will also be found at this sale.
The Purebred Sale will offer a number of Registered bulls and cow calf pairs, as well as numerous yearling heifers that would make good youth projects. These animals come from well-known Angus, Belted Galloway, Hereford and Simmental herds, with some of the best genetics in the country represented. Semen from several farms and businesses will also be sold with the proceeds going to the Maine Beef Producers’ Association Youth Fund.
In addition to the sales, there will also be a number of youth events designed to help 4-H’ers and other youth interested in learning more about beef become more proficient at showing off their animal(s)’ assets. The Path of Distinction, open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, will highlight some of the best in Maine beef while a day-long training session for anyone interested in learning more about raising beef can help those brand new to raising beef as well as those with some experience. This Beef Quality Assurance workshop will take place on Sunday and pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Dee Potter, dpotter@umext.maine.edu, or Cindy Kilgore, cindy.kilgore@maine.gov.
The Maine Alpaca, Boer Goat and Sheep Associations will also be hosting sales during NELE along with youth events, fiber demonstrations and workshops. The demos, as well as ones about Angora Rabbits, will be available on both Saturday and Sunday. Maine’s Alternative Poultry Association will also have displays while a number of equine events and a trade show are set for these two days as well. To learn more about schedules, events or exhibitors participating in the trade show, visit www.northeastlivestockexpo.org.
