Check out our website for information that you might have missed:
https://stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/

Dec. 9, 2024

RSVP TODAY for Stokes County Cattlemen's Meeting

The next Stokes County Cattlemen's meeting will be held this Thursday, December 12th at 6:30pm at the Extension Office (Community Building) at 700 Main Street, Danbury (behind Riverstreet turn onto Sheep Rock Road to access the building). 

Our guest speaker will be Stephen Bishop with the NC Farmlink Program. He will be talking about farm transition issues and estate planning. ALL are welcome! 

The December meeting is when officers are elected and a business meeting is held, along with a Christmas meal. Dues will be taken for 2025 membership. We will also be discussing applying or a grant to purchase a cattle chute which will require a 15% cost-share. 

Today is the last day to register for a meal! The cost is $20 per person and includes brisket, baked potato, salad, and cobbler. RSVP 24 hours a day by calling 336-593-8179, or at https://go.ncsu.edu/scca.

Bred Ewe Sale, Tuesday, Dec. 10

NC State University Sheep System exposed ewe lamb online sale is Tuesday, December 10! They are selling 9 ewe lambs exposed to low FEC (parasite resistant) Katahdin rams. All ewes are enrolled in NSIP with EBVs and have feed efficiency data. Lot information may be found at https://plauctions.live/auction/24965

Soil and Water Conservation Cost-Share Assistance

The Stokes Soil & Water Conservation District is currently accepting applications for the Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program also known as AgWRAP.  AgWRAP is a cost share program that installs wells on agricultural operations in an effort to increase water use efficiency, availability, and storage.

Who is Eligible?

If you are a landowner or renter of an existing agricultural operation that has been operating for more than 1 year, you are eligible to participate.

Other Programs Available…

The NC Agriculture Cost Share Program (NCACSP) is another cost share program available that provides financial assistance for the installation of best management practices that promote soil and water conservation. NCACSP is a voluntary, incentive-based program designed to improve water quality on agricultural land directly involved with agriculture production. Just a few practices that are eligible for this program include:

• Well for Agricultural Use                                           
• Livestock Stream Exclusion Fencing
• Division Fencing
• Livestock Watering Facilities
• Heavy Use Area Protection
• Cropland Conversion to Grass or Trees
• Grassed Waterways
• Cover Crops
• Abandoned Well Closures
• And Many More!

In order to be eligible for the NC Agriculture Cost Share Program you must be a landowner or renter of an existing agricultural operation that has been operating for at least 3 years. 

All of their programs require state approval of contracts before any practices are installed.

Contact their office today at 336-593-2490 to learn more about the programs they offer, cost assistance available, or to receive an application.  You can also email Amelia Harold at aharold@stokesswcd.net for more information.

Disaster Assistance for 2024 Livestock Forage Losses

Producers in Stokes, Surry and Forsyth Counties are eligible to apply for 2024 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits on [small grain, native pasture, improved pasture, annual ryegrass, forage sorghum.]

LFP provides compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land or fire on federally managed land.

You must complete a CCC-853 and the required supporting documentation no later than December 31, 2024.  For additional information about LFP, including eligible livestock and fire criteria, contact the Stokes, Surry or Forsyth County USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov.

Share Your Conservation Practices in a Survey

NC State University is building a mobile app to increase awareness of NRCS conservation practices, especially among historically underserved producers (i.e. people with disabilities and from minority, low-income, or veteran backgrounds). Your practical experience would be invaluable in helping us develop the app.

If you have time, we would love for you to share your insights in a 15-20 minute survey covering:

- What makes conservation practices easy or challenging to implement

- How mentorship helped your journey

- What resources would be most helpful in an app

Your responses will directly shape the app! You can help us by taking the survey, linked below, by Friday December 13, 2024 Survey: 

https://forms.gle/sHGrjgRV1yDVHda66 

This project is led by NC State University and funded by a USDA NRCS grant. If you have questions on 

- this survey, please contact Dr. Eli Typhina at eli.typhina@ncsu.edu.

- the overall research effort, please contact Dr. Noah Ranells at nnranell@ncsu.edu 

Winter Feeding and Pasture Management

Join professionals from NC State University on January 30, 2025 at Butner Beef Cattle Field Laboratory to learn about bale grazing and use of temporary fencing for managers of all types of grazing livestock. In addition, frost-seeding and use of UAVs (drones) serve as a strategy to jumpstart forage establishment during winter/spring, to improve pasture productivity, and to provide floral resources in the landscape.
You will have an opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations as well as to see actual research projects being conducted by graduate students at the station. Space is limited RSVP https://winterfeedingandpasturemanagement.eventbrite.com

REMINDERS

Small Ruminant Winter Webinar Series

All webinars will take place from 7-9 pm ET via Zoom. Register at the links below. 
Jan 9: Opportunities with Sheep and Solar Farms – https://go.ncsu.edu/sheep-solar-grazing
Feb 6: Livestock Guardian Animals – https://go.ncsu.edu/livestock-guardian-animals
Mar 6: Pasture Management for Small Ruminants – https://go.ncsu.edu/pasture-management

North Carolina Sheep Producers Association Annual Education and Membership Meeting- December 14, 8:30 a.m.

Iredell Extension Office (Statesville, NC)

Register HERE. Topics include:

• Grazing Management

• Drought Related Disease Management

• Industry and Extension Updates

• Wool Marketing

• Electric Fence Troubleshooting

• Livestock Guardian Animals

Novel Endophyte Fescue Field Day

Join North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Orange and Durham County as we discuss the benefits of novel endophyte fescue for livestock. During this field day, we will also touch on the impact endophyte-infected fescue can have and how to manage them on your farm.

Lunch will be provided, and afterwards, we will visit two nearby operations wo have established novel fescue pastures.

Registration will begin at 9:30 AM the day of event. The cost is $20. Register online at 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/novel-endophyte-fescue-field-day-tickets-1054166042009

NC AgVentures Farm Grant Program Ends Dec. 13

NC AgVentures is an NC State Extension grant program that provides grants to North Carolina family farms, and community organizations such farmer associations and farm co-ops to develop new and innovative agricultural projects which will increase farm profit. Submission is capped at 250 applications.
Maximum grant amount is $8,000 and producers should pay 15% of the project costs. FINAL DEADLINE to apply is Dec. 13th at 6:00 p.m.

TO APPLY, visit: https://agventures.ces.ncsu.edu/application-for-ag-ventures-grant/

NC Farm School

Registration is open for the 2025 Northern Piedmont NC Farm School. Learn more at https://stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/2024/09/2025-northern-piedmont-nc-farm-school/. 

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Calendar of Livestock Events

Dec 12 Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Workshop and Tour, Hillsborough

Dec. 12 Stokes County Cattlemen's Association Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 13 FINAL deadline to submit NC AgVentures grants

Dec. 14 NC Sheep Producers Meeting, Statesville

Dec. 14 Brushy Mountain Genetics Sale, 1 PM, 533 Ned Herman Rd, Taylorsville

Dec. 14 Springfield Angus Auction, Louisburg

Dec. 20 NC Beef Improvement Program Performance Tested Bull Sale, Butner

Dec. 24-27 Office Closed for the Christmas Holiday

Jan 1 Office Closed for the New Year Holiday

Jan. 9 Stokes County Cattlemen's Association, 6:30 p.m., Save the Date

Jan. 9 Sheep and Goat Solar Grazing Zoom, 7 - 9 p.m. https://go.ncsu.edu/sheep-solar-grazing.

Jan. 10 Registration deadline for the Teeter Beef Leadership Institute

Jan. 20 Office Closed for Martin Luther King Day (4-H Livestock Judging Practice)

Jan. 30 Winter Feeding and Pasture Management, Butner Beef Cattle Field Lab

Feb. 6 Livestock Guardian Animals Zoom, 7 -9 p.m. https://go.ncsu.edu/livestock-guardian-animals

Feb. 21-22 NC Cattlemen's Conference, Hickory

Mar. 6 Pasture Management for Small Ruminants Zoom, 7 - 9 p.m. https://go.ncsu.edu/pasture-management

**Disclaimer: The use of brand names and/or any mention or listing of specific commercial products or services herein is solely for educational purposes and does not imply endorsement by NC State University or our partners, nor discrimination against similar brands, products or services not mentioned.

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 promotes equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon one’s race; color; religion (including belief and non-belief); sex, including but not limited to pregnancy, childbirth or other related medical condition, parenting and sexual harassment; sexual orientation; actual or perceived gender identity; age; national origin; disability; veteran status; genetic information; or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC State University will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Please direct accommodation requests to: Kim Gressley, ksgressl@ncsu.edu and/or 336-703-2851. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least {10} days before the event.”


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