Chatham County

Livestock & Forages

- JULY 2024 -

This email has lots of events & new information.

Here's what's waiting for you in this newsletter 

• Sheep Solar Grazing Pasture Walk

• Pesticide Courses (Pittsboro) 

• Pesticide School (Become Certified) 

• Should I give up on my corn? 

• Livestock Conservancy Microgrants

• Forage & Grassland Management Webinar

• Homestead Dairy Goat Management

• How to Care for Chickens

• 4-H Youth Livestock Show (Pittsboro) 

• Sheep & Goat Herd Health Event

• Farm Service Agency Loan Programs

• Scholarships for Attending Carolina Meat Conference

• Chatham County Voluntary Agricultural District Program

• Wake County Beef Tour

Pasture Walk - Solar Grazing

July 10th - Roxboro, NC

Join us for a solar grazing pasture walk in Roxboro, NC! The following topics will be covered:

• Solar Grazing Systems
• Plant Identification and Grazing Behavior
• Opportunities for producer participation in the American Lamb Board Climate Smart Grant

Dress appropriately to be out in the field. Personal protective equipment for the solar site tour will be provided.

Pesticide Courses (X,V,N,O, & D)

Both classes are open to anyone, not just pesticide applicators.

Weed ID & Pasture Management Workshop

X, N, O, & D Credit course will be held on Thursday, September 26th, 6:30 – 8:30 PM at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center. The course focus will be on Pasture Weed ID & Management. It is a free program but pre-registration is required by September 16th, 2024 to ensure that there will be adequate space & materials prepared.

Pesticide Safety Training 

V Credit course will be held on Monday, September 23rd, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center. This is a free program but pre-register by September 19th, 2024 to ensure your spot so we have adequate materials prepared.

Pesticide School (Raleigh)

Become Licensed to use Restricted Use Pesticides

August 7th-8th, 2024

This 1.5-day school is in person. School hours are 8:30 AM-5:00PM on day one and 8:30-11:30 AM on day two. Only one category session may be chosen since the sessions happen simultaneously.

The NCDA&CS administers the exams on day two from 1:00-5:00PM. School attendees are automatically registered for the exam session. However, pesticide exam fees are separate and paid by a check or money order to the NCDA&CS Inspector at the exam location.

The school offers Core training on day one and the following categories on day two:

• Ornamentals and Turf

• Private/Farmers (Those registered for the Private/Farmers category attend training on day one only and return for the exams on day two.)

When Should I Give Up

on My Corn Crop? 

If you have a corn crop, this article is worth the read! 

There comes a point when we should through in the towel to avoid investing into a crop that simply won't produce a return. Dr. Heiniger, Small Grains Specialist at NC State, lays this out clearly for us in his article. He walks you through how to interpret signs like in the picture above. We can use a formula to estimate yield potential to help you determine whether or not to continue investing in that crop. Dr. Heiniger also discusses options for replanting or planting another crop such as soy beans. Laying out cautions that we should be aware of depending on use of herbicides on that corn crop. 

Livestock Conservancy Microgrants

Awards up to $2000 for Wide Array of Projects

Accepting applications from June to August 15th, 2024.

The Livestock Conservancy's Micro Grant Program supports conservation efforts for endangered livestock and poultry breeds by offering financial assistance to breeders and farmers. The grants aim to preserve genetic diversity and promote sustainable agriculture through projects such as breed promotion, genetic testing, and breed documentation. Applicants can receive funding to cover costs related to breed conservation activities, helping to ensure the long-term viability and cultural heritage of rare livestock breeds. 

Forage & Grassland Management Webinar

July 10th - 2:00-3:00pm

For questions, contact mscastil@ncsu.edu

Homestead Dairy Goat Management

July 22nd - 6:30pm (Danbury, NC)

We will gather as a group at the Stokes County Extension Center to join Area Specialized Dairy Agent, Marti Day, via Zoom, for a discussion about feeding your dairy goat. We will discuss nutrition, hay analysis, milk quality, mastitis, and food safety.

Caring for Chickens

Feed, Housing, & Health

July 16th - 6:30pm (Danbury, NC)

Dr. Emily Cope will join us via Zoom to discuss nutritional program goals for meat goats. We will include information on stages of production, nutrient requirements, and balanced rations. Grazing nutrition considerations will also be addressed.

4-H Youth Livestock Show

The Chatham County Livestock Show will be held Saturday, September 21st, 2024, at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center located at 1192 US Hwy 64W Business, Pittsboro, NC 27312.  The show is open to all youth that have not reached their 19th birthday prior to January 1, 2024.  All youth under the age of 8 (including Cloverbuds aged 5-7 and PeeWees under the age of 5) will NOT be judged under competition, but will exhibit non-competitively and receive a participation ribbon.  Exhibitors will automatically be entered into their showmanship classes.

Chatham County Voluntary Agricultural District Program

The Chatham County Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) promotes the agricultural values and general welfare of the county by raising awareness of the importance of our agricultural community and its way of life. This is accomplished by encouraging the preservation of agriculture, horticulture, and forestry through protection from non-farm development.

Sheep & Goat Herd Health

Parasites, Vaccines, & Blood Draws

August 13th, 2024

Join us for an evening on the farm for Sheep and Goat Flock/Herd Health including parasites (external and internal), vaccines, and blood draws. Bring a chair, bug spray, and sunscreen. Light snacks will be provided.

Farm Service Agency 

Loan Programs

Check out the FSA Educational hub to learn about the different loan types that may be available to you. 

Scholarships for Attending

Carolina Meat Conference

July 30th-31st, 2024

Take a look at the scholarship opportunities available for the Carolina Meat Conference in Boone, NC. 

5-County Beef Tour

Wake County Cooperative Extension

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Upcoming Events

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Helpful Links  

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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.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

N.C. Cooperative Extension - Chatham County Center, Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 US-64 BUS, Pittsboro, NC 27312, United States
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