The ultimate goal of a beef cattle producer is to increase net income by balancing expenses with the income generated. Producers can accomplish this by increasing income while keeping additional costs to a minimum, or by reducing costs and maintaining current income levels. An easy way to do this is to improve your herd genetics by selecting proper bulls.
You should consider four main characteristics when buying a bull. These are reproductive soundness, structural soundness, visual evaluation and performance characteristics.
February Pruning - Fruit Trees & Blueberries Matt Rodriguez, Extension Agent, Horticulture
February is the month to prune most of your fruit trees and some ornamental shrubs. Pruning is necessary to fruit production as it stimulates the necessary plant hormones and improves structure for healthy flavorful fruits.
Apples need to be trained into the central leader formation. Roughly 25 to 36 inches from the soil surface should be open for movement around the tree. Remove any small woody stems that are covering or crossing between major branches. Apples require manual pruning in order to produce bigger and more flavorful fruit. Now is a good time to shorten your branches to prevent limb breakage and improve structure.
Blueberries
You are going to start by looking at your plant from a birds eye view. Imagine a circle around the main part of your plant. That circle is how big you’re going to allow that plant to get. Blueberries naturally want to mound and form a sort of hedge. If you have ever seen blueberries in the wild they can form dense shrubs naturally. Once you have determined your limiting area, prune everything outside of that space.
We are looking for a Family & Consumer Sciences Agent in Burke County
Apply at NC State University
Hurricane Helene Tax for Farm Business Owners
Online Tax Planning Workshop
Monday, February 17, 2025
6:00 - 7:30 pm
NC State Assistant Extension Professor Nick Brown will be streaming in to answer your questions about taxes, Hurricane Helene, and what it means for your farm operation.
Some questions we'll answer: -How are taxes affected by money received from FEMA, crop insurance (including NAP), and other disaster relief programs? -How does the timing of these payments affect your 2024 and 2025 taxes? -What are the new, extended deadlines for filing?
This event is FREE but preregistration is required
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University works in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.
N.C. Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity provider.
