Check out our website for information that you might have missed:
https://forsyth.cc/CES/Livestock.aspx

Online NCSU Sheep Sale

The NC State Small Ruminant Educational Unit Online Production Sale is coming up next Tuesday, August 29. The sale will be online at the link below. We will be selling Katahdin rams and ewes and Dorset rams. All sheep in the sale have NSIP EBVs and feed efficiency data. All proceeds go towards supporting the teaching, research and extension mission of the unit. Delivery is available to the Southwest Virginia Ram Test sale in Glade Spring, VA on September 22.

https://plauctions.live/auction/20961

Let us know if you have any questions. Hannah Gray (919) 630-0821 or hagray@ncsu.edu. Andrew Weaver (989) 708-2557 or arweave3@ncsu.edu

38th Sustainable Agriculture Conference

There are three scholarships and several work exchange opportunities for the Sustainable Agriculture Conference to be held in Durham, November 11-13. Learn more at https://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/2023-conference-scholarships-work-exchange/

• pasture raised from farrowing to finish (producers don't necessarily have to be full farrow to finish operations but most buyers want verification that feeder pigs are coming from non-confinement operations)
• hogs raised without antibiotics 
• producers with some scale to their operations (not someone raising 10-15 hogs per year). Most of these buyers want to buy 12+ hogs at a time on a regular basis
• third party welfare certifications (or willingness to get them) such as AWA may be a plus
• pasture raised feeder pig producers to connect with other farms for finishing
• good pasture management skill are definitely preferred over "dirt lot" hogs
• producers with consistent genetics, production, and quality

Please let me know if this is you! awbowman@ncsu.edu, 336-703-2855

What is Custom Exempt Processing- Custom Exempt processors are under the oversight of NCDA&CS Meat & Poultry Inspection Division and can slaughter or process meat/poultry for the general public for personal consumption only.  This means the meat produced under this exemption does not bear a mark of inspection and therefore is for use by the owner of the animal and cannot enter commerce.  All packages are required to be marked "NOT FOR SALE".

What does this mean for farmers that use Custom Exempt processors? 

• Processors with approved MSUs are allowed to kill, skin, and eviscerate animals on the farm.

• Processors without approved MSUs must have the live animals transported to the Custom Exempt facilities to be slaughtered and processed. 

Can the farmer slaughter, skin, and eviscerate on the farm and then deliver the carcass to a Custom Exempt processor?  Yes- The owner of the animal can do that on their own property with help from their family or employees for an animal that is for their personal use only but not for a customer they just sold the live animal to.  The carcass must be delivered to the processor in a clean and safe manner.  Custom Exempt processors must recondition any field dressed carcass before placing it in their cooler in order to prevent production of adulterated product, either the farmer’s or product in the cooler.  Anyone exercising this option should be explicitly aware that Custom Exempt processors have the right to refuse delivery on any unclean/ unsafe carcasses. 

Can a third party be hired to kill, skin, and eviscerate an animal on the farm since Custom Exempt processors cannot do that? No, unless they are using an approved MSU

Learn more here. 

Find an inspected processor at https://cefs.ncsu.edu/food-system-initiatives/nc-choices/finding-a-red-meat-processor/. 

Soil Health

The NC Soil Health Coalition is holding a soil health event for farmers near Statesville on September 23 from 10am-3pm. The event will provide time for farmers to meet with one another and share the experiences they've had using soil health related practices, such as cover cropping, rotational grazing, no-till, and many others. We will visit two farms to discuss the practices they're using and look at basic soil health indicators that can be used by farms to track soil improvement over time.

NC Farm Family of the Day

The N.C. State Fair is looking for 11 farm families to recognize during the fair for its Farm Family of the Day, presented by Tractor Supply Company. Nominations are being accepted through Sept. 15.

If you are proud to be an N.C. farmer, work hard to contribute to the state’s No. 1 industry and love both farming and the N.C. State Fair, your farm family could be one of the lucky ones selected.

Families recognized as Farm Family of the Day honorees will be awarded an N.C. State Fair gift basket including fair tickets to use on any day of their choice during the 2023 N.C. State Fair, ride passes and additional swag from Tractor Supply Company and the N.C. State Fair. Families will be chosen by both nomination and application. Applications can be found at https://www.ncstatefair.org/2023/Attractions/FarmFamilyOfTheDay.htm.

The “Farm Family of the Day” program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company, is returning for its third year to recognize and celebrate more of our state’s rich agricultural heritage and the farm families that are behind our $103.2 billion agriculture and agribusiness industry.

REMINDERS

Pesticide Applicator

If you (or someone that you know) has your commercial pesticide applicator license and you are "for hire" to spray smaller pastures and hayfields, please let us know by email at awbowman@ncsu.edu or 336-703-2855! We have gotten several requests. 

Don't have your license, but would like to? Attend Pesticide Safety School at the Forsyth County Agricultural Building at 1450 Fairchild Road Winston-Salem October 18-19.  Learn more AND register here. 

Hay Contests

Southeastern Hay Contest
Sept. 1st is the postmark deadline to submit samples to the Southeastern Hay Contest

Carolina Classic Fair
Sept. 1st is also the deadline to enter hay in the Carolina Classic Fair.  Samples must be submitted Wednesday, September 27 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.  https://carolinaclassicfair.com/
Department A, Section 102 0013 Orchard Grass, 0014 Fescue, 0015 Lespedeza, Clover or Oats, 0016 Alfalfa, 0017 Legume or Grass Mixture, 0018 Other, 0019 Silage or Haylage

NC State Fair (NCSF)

Entries for the NC State Fair are due September 15 and must be delivered on Tuesday, October 10. 

https://www.ncstatefair.org/2023/Competitions/Entering/ForageCompetition.htm

We do have a hay probe in the office and can help you get a core sample taken for SE and NCSF. 

Angus Field Day

The NC Angus Association is holding their annual Field Day at Biltmore Estates in Asheville on Saturday, September 30 beginning at 9 a.m. (gates open at 8). There will be three educational sessions with six options offered. Lunch and snacks will be provided to the first 200 people to RSVP.  There will also be a beef and lamb carcass cutting demonstration. Visit  https://biltmorelivestock.com/ to learn more and to register. 

Youth Poultry and Egg Contests

Egg-Cellent Egg Contest - Entry deadline Sept. 8
Youth ages 5-18 with chickens are encouraged to participate in the Egg-cellent egg competition. Youth should register at https://forsyth.ces.ncsu.edu/2023/07/2023-egg-cellent-egg-contest-information/ prior to September 8 and will submit their best six eggs around November 1. 

North Central District 4-H Poultry Show - 2024 - Deadline Sept. 8
The 2024 North Central District 4-H Poultry Show for youth ages 5-18 is tentatively scheduled for the first Saturday in May. Youth that would like to participate should register online by September 8 and pay a $25 fee to reserve their five chicks.  https://go.ncsu.edu/ncdpoultryrabbitshow

We will have a short Q&A session on Thursday, August 31 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Register to receive the Zoom link and/or the recording of that session at https://go.ncsu.edu/poultryshowq-a.

P.S. We will have a rabbit show the same day as our poultry show (information to come), and Forsyth County Animal Shelter has bunnies for an adoption fee of $10!  Please do your research if you are interested in adopting a bunny - they require all the same type care as a cat or dog (including vet care) and can live 10-12 years with proper care so they are a long term commitment. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm, adoptions/visits end at 4:30. Please complete your application prior to your visit at https://forsyth.cc/AnimalShelter/available.html

Poultry Processing

On September 22 at 9 a.m. at the NC A&T State University Farm Pavilion, there will be a Mobile Poultry Processing Training. Topics include pastured poultry management, exemption and inspection process to sell meat, as well as the opportunity for  hands-on processing. This training is required for first-time users of the Stokes County mobile processing unit.

The cost is $15 and includes lunch and a processed bird. Learn more and register at:
https://go.ncsu.edu/poultryprocessing

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Calendar of Livestock Events

Aug. 29 NCSU Virtual Sheep Sale
Aug. 31 NCD 4-H Poultry Show Q&A Zoom Session, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 1 Carolina Classic Fair Entries Due
Sept. 1 Postmark deadline for the Southeast Hay Contest
Sept. 1 Entry deadline for the Sept. 16 Women in Ag Conference, Valle Crucis
Sept. 2 N.C. Simmental Association Fall Harvest Sale, Union Grove, 1 p.m.
Sept. 8 Deadline to order chicks for the 2024 NCD 4-H Poultry Show; https://go.ncsu.edu/ncdpoultryrabbitshow
Sept. 8 Egg-cellent Egg Registration Due (Nov. 6 tentative submission deadline)
Sept. 13 Windy Hill Farms In-Vitro Fertilization Cattle Collection Event, Ramseur
Sept 15 Entries close for NC State Fair Livestock Shows and Hay Judging
Sept 15 Submissions due for NC Farm Family of the Day
Sept 16 Women in Agriculture-NC Fall Retreat, Valle Crucis

Sept 17 Buck Collection Opportunity, Smithfield
Sept 22 Mobile Poultry Processing Unit Training, Greensboro
Sept 23 Basic Rigging for Large Animal Rescue, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Murray Rd. W-S; Register using TERMS
Sept 23 Soil Health Field Day, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood
Sept. 29 - Oct. 3 Carolina Classic Fair; Magic in the Fair
Sept. 30 Angus Field Day at Biltmore Estates, Asheville, 8 a.m.
Sept. 30 Biltmore Estate Cattle and Dorper Sheep Sale, 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 13 Fred Smith Company Educational Program, Dinner and Kiddie Cattle Camp Activities, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 14 Fred Smith Company Ranch Extra Effort Simmental Sale, 1 p.m. Clayton, NC
Oct. 18-19 Pesticide Safety School and Exam, Forsyth Ag Bldg
Nov. 3 Save the Date for the Shepherd Boot Camp! (all day)
Nov. 11-13 Sustainable Ag Conference, Durham
Nov. 16 Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Norwood
Nov. 18 Southern Partners in Performance Hereford Bull Sale

Calendar of Other Extension Events

https://forsyth.cc/eventcalendars/forsythcountyces.aspx

Aug. 29  Pickling Workshop, 5:30 p.m. Forsyth Ag. Bldg; Register Using Eventbrite
Sept. 7 What Tea Can Do For You, Live and via Zoom, 11 a.m. Register Using Eventbrite
Sept. 8 Native Plants of Note - Forks on Friday, Noon; Forsyth Ag. Bldg. Register Using Eventbrite
Sept. 9 Pawpaw Field Day; Forsyth Ag. Bldg, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Register at https://pawpaw2023.eventbrite.com
Sept. 12 Gardening 101; Paddison Library, 10 a.m. Register Using Eventbrite
Sept. 13 Lawncare in the Piedmont, Walnut Hall at Tanglewood, Noon; Register Using Eventbrite
Sept. 16 Fall Ext. Master Gardener Volunteer (EMGV) Plant Sale, Forsyth Ag. Bld., 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sept 19 Saving Seeds; Paddison Library, 10 a.m.  Register Using Eventbrite
Sept 26 Fermentation for Food Preservation; Forsyth Co. Ag. Bldg; 5:30 p.m. Register using Eventbrite
Sept. 6 - Oct. 8 Carolina Classic Fair; Look for Extension booths in the Garden Building (EMGV) and Education Building (4-H), at School Days in the Garden Building and Mrs. April in the Sheep/Goat/Swine and Cattle barns

Soil Testing: N.C. Cooperative Extension will be happy to deliver your soil sample boxes and completed paperwork to the NDA&CS at no cost to you from now - November 21. We will only deliver samples once a month, so please do NOT do this if you are in a hurry to get your results. Please drop them off at the reception desk of N.C. Cooperative Extension, 1450 Fairchild Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27105, while the office is open. NOTE: they will only analyze samples that have a fully complete form with them. If you need help filling in your paperwork or analyzing results, contact us. 

Learn more about soil sampling and how to get test kits at 

https://forsyth.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/02/soil-test-kits/. 

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 Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the  product label.

N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status. NC State University, N.C. A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and local governments cooperating.

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