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 looking at Candida infections, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and the flu virus, and Megan talks about her capstone project studying fish fecundity at different ages.

The conversation touches on the zebrafish lab’s move to a new state-of-the-art facility with better climate control, which will boost research quality and create more opportunities for collaboration and grants. Mark and Megan reflect on their own unexpected but rewarding paths into aquaculture and research, offering insight into the many career options in marine science. They also discuss how animal research is strictly regulated, the lab’s commitment to transparency through public tours, and broader topics like zebrafish in regenerative medicine and GMOs in agriculture and aquaculture. It’s a great listen about how a tiny fish is making a big impact on science, health, and education at UMaine.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

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 time budgets?
  https://wdmc.org/2009/Stocking%20Density%20&%20Time%20Budgets.pdf
• Want to learn about the dairy farm I visited in the Azores?
  https://www.italianos.pt/?modulo=agropecuaria

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

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 diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

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. You can reach him at juan.romero@maine.edu or 207-581-2925.

• Learn more about Dr. Juan Romero and his lab
• Watch the Tri-State Dairy Exchange: Navigating the Future of Dairy webinar

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

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 Nutrition Council
• Follow Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council on Facebook and Instagram
• Proclamation of June as Maine Dairy Month

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

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. Jeffrey W. Lehmkuhler was raised in southern Indiana. He attended Purdue University and obtained his M.S. in silvopastoral systems and Ph.D. in beef cattle nutrition from the University of Missouri. Jeff continued his career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2001 and was hired by the University of Kentucky in 2008 where he now holds the title of Extension Professor. His internationally recognized programming has spanned five countries and covered a diverse range of ruminant production from dairy steers to yaks. Jeff’s external funding exceeds $6M dollars and he authored more than 125 newsletter and popular press articles, 66 abstracts and journal articles, and 46 proceedings and extension publications. A key to his success has been forging relations with colleagues to work as a team. Jeff received the Agri-Communicator award in 2004, Southern Region ASAS Extension award in 2016 and M.D. Whiteker Excellence in Extension award in 2021. Jeff and his wife, Gwen, have three children.

• Learn more about Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

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 direct roots to Maine agriculture, growing up on a potato farm. It was a treat to spend time with Dr. Carter and get to interview her on the Maine Farmcast.

• Learn more about Hannah Carter:
  https://extension.umaine.edu/about/staff-directory/hannah-carter/
• Learn more about UMaine Extension educational programs:
  https://umaine-extension.formtitan.com/ftproject/events/landing-page

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).