WATERVILLE – More than 150 of Maine’s dairy farmers – a full 10 percent of the entire industry – took a break from chores Thursday and met in Waterville for the annual Maine Dairy Seminar.

“This is an opportunity for farmers to get some training on topics from experts outside the state of Maine,” Julie Marie Bickford, executive director of the Maine Dairy Industry Association said.

“It’s also a good opportunity for them to get together and talk to each other,” Bickford said. “It is a quieter time of year for them.”

Sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, the seminar was also an opportunity for special farmers to be recognized.

David Marcinkowski of the University of Maine presented the Maine Dairy Shrine Pioneer Award, the highest recognition a dairy farmer can receive, to the family of the late Phillip Coburn of Newport. A fifth generation farmer and a graduate of UM’s animal science program, Coburn grew his herd from five animals in 1951 to 400 head and 1,000 acres of crops. “Phil was an early adopter of the use of freestalls for the housing of dairy cattle and was a leader in bringing large farming practices to the state,” said Marcinkowski.

Other awards included the Dairy Shrine Leader Award, given to Karen Piper of Emden, and the Maine Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder, given to Peter Waterman of Waterman Farms Inc. of Sabattus.

The seminar included a small trade show and a lecture by Dr. Franklyn Garry, a professor at Colorado State University, who lectured on calf survival and health and its impact on farm profitability.