June Newsletter - Burke County

Pasture Stocking Rate

Stocking rates are positively related to forage health. Overstocking stresses forage stands and eventually leads to low producing pastures. When talking about pasture stocking rates, we can lump all livestock together by converting them into the concept of an animal unit. An animal unit is based on the beef cow and her calf, which is one animal unit. The bull is also one animal unit, as is one horse. Sheep and goats, due to their small size, take 6-8 head to equal one animal unit.

It generally takes 2-3 acres to support one animal unit in hay and pasture. If hay is cut elsewhere and brought in it reduces the acres needed. Acreage needed can also be reduced through improved pasture management and improved forage varieties. A really good manager can support one animal unit on an acre and a half. Stocking rates as high as 2 animal units per acre are present in Burke county, and not even weeds can produce in this setting. Two acres per animal unit allows producers to mitigate drought and reduce hay feeding days as more grazing days are available and forage could be stockpiled.

Pasture management is more complex than just putting the right number of head on the right number of acres, however, getting the stocking rates right is basic to any good management system.

June 20 - 25, 2021

We still have 1 spot left for our trip to camp at the Eastern 4-H Center, located near the beach of NC. Overnight camp is for youth, ages 8-13.
Pandemic restrictions and guidelines will be followed and we will have parent/youth camp orientation meeting prior to camp week.

A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot. We are offering fundraising opportunities and scholarships to assist with camp costs! Call our office at 828-764-9480 if you are interested.

Preserving Herbs

It seems that pandemic stay-at-home orders over the past year have inspired many people to get outside and start growing their own food, including herbs! If you’re finding yourself with more herbs than you can use at once, try one (or all!) of these herb preservation techniques!

While sun drying might sound appealing, high temps and strong UVs are going to remove and alter herb flavor quite a bit. Air drying over the course of a few days in the shade is very preferable. An upside down bouquet in a paper bag in a window works great. Herbs can be dried in just a few hours in a dehydrator or low oven but the higher temperatures may give you more loss of the fresh herb flavor and more of a concentrated dried leaf, hay aroma. However, herbs that are native to hot areas, like oregano, thyme, rosemary, and bay, are exceptions to this rule. Also, oven drying can be hard if your oven does not reach the lower temps of 95-115 degrees F.

Immersion in oil can protect the herb’s plant tissues from oxygen and deterioration. Even weeks later, you’ll have a nice infused oil with herb flavor. Herbs in oil should always be kept in the refrigerator, because the same absence of oxygen that’s good for flavor preservation is also good for the growth of botulism bacteria (especially if you’re doing garlic oil!), but this bacteria won’t grow or produce toxins at refrigerated temperatures.

The flavor of many herbs is well preserved by freezing, but the plant tissues will really suffer damage from ice crystals. They'll become dark and limp when thawed. This is a great method of preservation for herbs that will be used in dishes like soups, where the visual quality of the herbs won’t matter. Quality of frozen herbs will be best within six months of freezing.

If you are interested in learning more about putting your herb garden to use, check out our Cooking with Herbs Online Workshop, available now for on-demand viewing. Request immediate access at burke.ces.ncsu.edu/online-fcs-workshops/.

Dry Summer Solutions

Cool, wet weather is a thing of the past and it looks like we are in for a hot, dry growing season. Plants are starting to require some supplemental water. Any trees and shrubs that are newly planted should receive regular water all summer long. They need help until they put out enough roots to take care of themselves. Mulch also helps to keep plant roots cool and to retain moisture.

Whenever possible, water early in the day. Soaker hoses or drip irrigation are great ways to efficiently and frugally water live goods. These watering tools disperse water slowly so that it can soak into the ground. It is also more economical because it puts the water where it is most needed without as much waste. When using a water hose, keep the pressure low and allow the water to soak the soil around the plants. Use a nozzle made for watering plants. These nozzles give a low pressure, soaking spray. Keep the cheap high pressure nozzles for what they were intended-washing cars!

Container plants must be watered regularly. They dry out faster because they are above ground. There again, soak pots slowly to allow the water to get to the roots instead of pouring over the side of the pot.

Lawns are a different story. Cool season grasses like fescues can go for 5 weeks without water. They may off-color a little but it won’t hurt them. As soon as rain occurs the lawn will green right up. Watering the lawn causes it to become dependent on extra water and can quickly become a hardship on the homeowner and it’s not good for the lawn either. During dry weather cut back on mowing and allow the grass to get a little taller. This helps shade the plant crown from hot summer sun.

So, Burke County gardeners, it looks like you’ve got some soaker hoses to hook up and mulch to put out. If it’s any consolation just know that dry summers mean fewer disease problems-that’s what we call finding the silver lining.

4-H Summer Fun Opportunities are Sprouting!

Follow Burke County 4-H and North Carolina Cooperative Extension on Facebook, Instagram and our webpage to view the latest 4-H Pop-Up Opportunity!

This summer will offer a hybrid experience as we transition to more in-person 4-H activities. Our summer Pop-Up opportunities will increase as the summer progresses and restrictions are lifted. You can always request to be added to the 4-H email list to receive updates and information first! Looking forward to working our way back together!