In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt Knight and Dr. Glenda Pereira take listeners behind the scenes of the Maine Meat Cutting School, a hands-on program that has become one of the most in-demand educational opportunities offered by UMaine Cooperative Extension. Born out of a need to address Maine’s limited meat processing capacity, the school has evolved into a three-day immersive experience that blends classroom learning with practical carcass breakdown, food safety training, and even composting instruction. Listeners will hear about the origins of the program, the challenges of sourcing animals and facilities, and how the course was refined to maximize student engagement and hands-on time at the cutting table.

The conversation also highlights the school’s remarkable impact and popularity, with waitlists stretching years long and participants traveling from across the U.S. to attend. From homesteaders and aspiring processors to professional chefs and meat industry employees, the course attracts a diverse audience eager to gain skills and insights. The hosts also discuss new digital resources, including upcoming 4K instructional videos, and the school’s role in fostering collaboration with meat scientists nationwide. This episode offers a comprehensive look at how Maine is carving out sustainable, innovative solutions for its livestock and processing industries while educating the next generation of meat professionals.

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis 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, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

In this episode of The Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt Knight and Dr. Glenda Pereira co-host a deep dive into artificial insemination (AI), the original AI that has been revolutionizing livestock genetics for decades. They discuss the inspiration behind UMaine Extension’s new hands-on AI training program, funded by the Mitchell Center and supported by partners including the Maine Beef Producers Association and the National Pork Board. Listeners learn how simulators and practical demonstrations are helping producers master breeding techniques for cattle and swine while tackling real-world challenges like biosecurity, timing, and estrus detection.

The conversation moves from the science of reproductive physiology to the art of precision timing, exploring hormone cycles, synchronization protocols, and the technology driving genetic gain. From dairy net merit values to crossbreeding for hybrid vigor, Knight and Pereira unpack how Maine’s livestock producers can improve herd quality and profitability through smart breeding decisions. They also preview the upcoming Maine Cattlemen’s College (December 6, 2025), where participants can gain firsthand AI experience with UMaine’s simulators and reproductive tract models. Whether you’re a seasoned breeder or just AI curious, this episode brings the classroom and the barnyard together to show how genetics, education, and innovation are shaping Maine’s agricultural future.

If you are interested in attending the Maine Cattlemen’s College Artificial Insemination training, please contact Melissa Babcock, melissa.libby1@maine.edu, to be added to the waitlist or if you are interested in attending future AI workshops. The next in-person workshop after this podcast episode release will be offered on December 6, 2025, in Augusta, Maine.

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis 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, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, host Dr. Colt Knight welcomes his colleague and close friend, Dr. Robert Causey—known affectionately as “the horse professor”—for an in-depth conversation about the University of Maine’s equine program. A veterinarian, researcher, and Associate Professor of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Dr. Causey has dedicated over two decades to building and sustaining UMaine’s horse program, with a focus on student experience, community partnerships, and impactful research.

Dr. Causey shares his path into the horse industry, from growing up in the UK to earning his DVM from the University of Minnesota and a PhD in Theriogenology (reproductive veterinary medicine) from LSU. Listeners will hear how a mix of opportunity, personal circumstances, and student advocacy brought him to UMaine during the infamous ice storm of 1998—and how his work with Standardbred horses laid the foundation for a teaching and research program that has endured despite changing budgets and leadership.

The conversation explores everything from training philosophies and early program development to Dr. Causey’s collaborative research on equine reproduction, fetal development, mucosal immunity, and the surprising effectiveness of nasal vaccines. With a mix of humor, history, and heartfelt reflection, this episode offers an inside look at how one professor’s passion has shaped Maine’s equine education and prepared generations of students for careers in veterinary medicine and beyond.

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis 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, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.