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BURKE COUNTY CENTER

JULY NEWSLETTER

JULY 7, 2021
 
Youth love to play in the soil, explore bugs & insects, and eat! In this 9 week independent hands-on learning series, registered youth will experience the seed to table process. Each week's lesson will be accessible via website or printed lessons provided in the kits. Youth will be able to pick up the entire series' kit at one time (each week will be labeled). They will need to follow the instructions allowing the 9 full weeks of vegetable growth to enjoy the salad celebration. Register on Eventbrite!




















Livestock and Heat Stress

Livestock producers can help their animals endure the stress from heat and humidity in a variety of ways. To reduce livestock heat stress, in hot humid conditions, it is important to provide plenty of food, water,and shade, and maintain good animal health. Species specific management also helps producers reduce economic losses from heat stress. Cows consume around 70% of their feed after midnight through early morning. The heat production from ruminant digestion is tremendous, and occurs about 4 hours after ingestion. Feed cattle on grain rations early in the morning so they won't have to rely on feeding in the hottest part of the day.

Endophyte infected fescue pastures increase heat stress, as the toxins elevate body temperature. Decreased milk production, decreased weight gains, and lowered reproductive efficiency result also. Diluting pure fescue stands with clovers has continually shown to offset these effects in research.

Access to an adequate cool, clean water supply that is centrally located, helps to reduce heat stress. Avoid giving access to ponds, as wading warms the water, contaminates it, and reduces animal intake. Provide shade, preferably in higher elevation areas to utilize wind currents for cooling. Horses in particular have trouble maintaining body temp in hot humid conditions. Use the comfort index to determine whether or not horses should be worked or ridden. To calculate, add the relative humidity to the temperature and use the sum. 130 to 150, use caution, above 180, do not ride or work the horse.

Healthy livestock handle heat stress better, so reduce stresses from diseases and internal and external parasites and you will help your livestock to endure the stress of summer heat and humidity.

Treat for Grubs in July

Japanese beetles are actively laying eggs for next year’s grubs in June and July. These eggs will hatch in mid-August and next year’s cycle of grubs and Japanese beetles will be set in motion. Products containing imidacloprid should be applied to the lawn before mid-August to prevent eggs from hatching.

Look for products with the active ingredient, imidacloprid. Bayer Advanced Season-Long Grub Control is a product that is readily available in most garden centers.  This product will prevent grubs from hatching in August. It must be applied before the eggs hatch. July is prime time for applying this product.

Take action now and stop the cycle of grub and Japanese damage in your lawn and garden.

Tomatoes or Walnuts? Gardeners Must Choose!

It’s a tough choice to have to make.  As southerners, we hold our tomato plants in high esteem and go to great lengths to have the biggest and best plants around.  But, then again we also think highly of banana nut bread and black walnut pound cakes.  Why do we have to make a choice?  Well, for one thing, life is tough and there will always be choices out there that have to be made.  But, in this case it is because of a disease called walnut wilt.  It isn’t really a disease - it’s more a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time! 

Read more..


Drexel Community Fair - August 16 - 21

The Drexel Community Fair is coming up in August and we have lots of activities planned for the week!  Youth will have their project animals on display in the barn all week and the 4-H and Youth Livestock Show will be held on Tuesday, August 17th starting at 6:30 pm. 

Burke County 4-H Cow Patty Bingo will be held on Saturday, August 21st at 6:30 pm and the Veggie Varmint Contest will be on Thursday, August 19th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Watch our website and Facebook page for more details!
FCS on Demand

If you missed any Live Online Workshops, we have good news! Session recordings are available to watch and learn at your own schedule and pace. View workshop descriptions and request immediate access to recordings and class materials at burke.ces.ncsu.edu/online-fcs-workshops.


Watch for more information on these Upcoming 4-H Workshops:

Healthy Habits Family Time - Garden based learning for the family. 

Science with your Snacks - STEM meets Healthy Living with this series of food related mini-mysteries.

 
















Fall Food Plots


With the coming of fall, many will head outdoors to enjoy hunting, others just love being in touch with nature. One way to attract wildlife is through the use of food plots. These food plots when established properly help to attract different species and also to sustain them throughout the year. With our area steeped in long-term drought, food plots could have a big impact on wildlife populations this year.

Read more...


 
 
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.




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