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https://stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/

September 5, 2025

Cattle Handling Systems & Cattlemen Meeting

On Thursday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m., you are invited to join us first at Doug Watts Farm to see their new cattle handling facility (address in the registration form). From there we will travel to Brad Newsome's to see their facility and enjoy supper.  There will be a small fee for the meal. Josh Weavil with WW Manufacturing will also be on hand to talk about their cattle handling equipment. April will also have the brand new Stokes County Cattle Chute available. The cattle chute and attached palpation cage are on a wheel kit and all can be rented from the county for a fee (details to come). Check out this demonstration video. There are also cattle panels and a set of scales available for rent. 

Please RSVP for the cattlemen's meeting at https://go.ncsu.edu/scca. 

"Most if not all injuries caused by livestock can be prevented. Livestock producers can reduce the risk of injury by studying animal behavior, by using proper handling techniques, and by using equipment properly." says Barry Whitworth, DVM, in Drovers Magazine. 

Learn more about cattle handling designs at https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/cattle-handling-safety-in-working-facilities.html.

N.C. Cattlemen's Association Updates

The mission of the North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association is to promote the well-being of the state’s beef cattle industry and its producers through education, marketing, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and research support. We are committed to ensuring a sustainable and profitable future for our members, their families, and their communities, while also enhancing consumer confidence in beef. To join or renew your membership, visit: https://www.nccattle.com or contact the office at (919) 552-9111.

Legislative Update
State- HB 125 – Continuing Budget Operations (“Mini Budget”) Passed
• Includes an additional $142 million for the Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program.
• Brings total disaster relief funding for 2024 agricultural losses to $478 million allocated so far in 2025.
• NCDA began mailing checks to program applicants in late August.

Federal- “One Big Beautiful Bill” Signed into Law – July 4

Key Tax Provisions
• Death Tax Relief: Estate tax exemption raised to $15 million per individual / $30 million per couple, adjusted for inflation.
• Section 199A Deduction: Permanently maintains the 20% small business income deduction.
• Section 179 Expensing: Expensing limit increased to $2.5 million, with a $4 million phase-out threshold.
• Bonus Depreciation: Permanently allows 100% upfront depreciation on qualifying purchases.
• Disaster Casualty Losses: Permanently extends deductions for federally declared disaster losses.

Farm Bill Provisions
• Livestock Forage Disaster Program: Now activates after 4 weeks of drought (previously 8); provides two monthly payments.
• Livestock Indemnity Program: Pays 100% for predation losses and 75% for weather-related deaths, including unborn livestock.
• Voluntary Conservation Funding (6 years): EQIP: $18.5 billion, CSP: $8.1 billion, ACEP: $4.1 billion, RCPP: $2.7 billion
• Animal Health Programs: $153 million/year – National Animal Vaccine Bank (FMD preparedness), $70 million/year – National Animal Health Lab Network, $10 million/year – Disease Preparedness Programs

Federal- Speed Limiter Transportation Rule Withdrawn- July 24
• Regulators withdrew a proposed rule requiring speed limiters on commercial trucks over 26,001 lbs.
• Industry strongly opposed the rule, citing safety and animal welfare concerns

State- 2025 North Carolina Farm Act (in committee)
• Bovine Composting Flexibility: Would allow on-farm composting of mortalities without a pad or roof.
• Youth Agricultural Absences: Would require schools to allow two excused absences for livestock/ag events.
• Product Liability Reform (Senate only): Would protect ag chemical makers; removed from House version.

State- Food Labeling Transparency Act (in committee)
• Would require clear labeling of manufactured cell-cultured, lab-grown, or insect-based proteins.

Federal- Trade
• New agreements with the U.K., E.U., and Australia are expanding export opportunities.
• Export markets are critical for cuts less preferred in the U.S. (tongue, tripe, etc.) but valued overseas.
• More trade opportunities = stronger demand and better prices for U.S. cattle.

Federal- New World Screwworm (NWS)
• USDA has invested $21 million in Mexico and announced a $750 million facility in Texas.
• Current output is 100–117 million sterile flies per week which is well below the 300 million needed.
• Potential economic losses if NWS re-establishes: $675 million annually to producers.
• NC & SC Departments of Agriculture are working together preparing state response plans.

Federal- Black Vulture Relief Act (in committee)
• Bill would allow producers to take (capture, kill, disperse, transport) vultures threatening livestock.
• Simplifies reporting to an annual report and removes the cap on the number of vultures taken.

Federal- HELP Act – Livestock Hauling (in committee)
• Would provide permanent exemptions for livestock haulers from HOS and ELD rules.
• Modeled after COVID-era flexibilities that protected animal welfare and supply chains.
• Combined with the speed limiter withdrawal, this represents strong progress for haulers.

Print a membership form for the NC Cattlemen's Association here. 

Deer Management and Nuisance Issue

• North Carolina Wildlife numbers indicate that most of Stokes County has more than 50 deer per mile (that's as high as they measure; they don't measure Hanging Rock or the City of King). Thirty or fewer deer per square mile is the ideal target for balance between farmers and deer hunters.*

• Harvest 30% of adult does to begin decreasing the population.*

• Farmers should assess the actual deer density on their land, as state-reported estimates often understate the true number.  Count three-nights in a row pre-season (August) and post-season (January)*

• Consider putting in an exclusion cage (fenced out area 78" X 78") to measure the yield loss caused by deer.*

• Lethal control is the most critical first step in an integrated pest management program for deer. Proper management through recreational hunting, particularly a high annual doe harvest, can eliminate the need for summer depredation programs.*

• Other management options include exclusion fences and deer repellents (expensive, but effective in heavily populated areas and are available at local farm supply stores).*

• *References: "Deer Management" Zoom. Dr. Cory Heaton, Clemson University Extension. February 25, 2025.  https://www.clemson.edu/cafls/faculty_staff/profiles/heaton2

Do you have problems with deer? Concerned about crop damage or deer diseases? Join Jason Smith, NC Wildlife District Biologist, to learn about the new Ag DMAP program and more on Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30 p.m. The workshop will take place at the Stokes County Cooperative Extension Center at 700 Main Street Danbury (at Riverstreet, turn onto Sheep Rock Road to access the driveway). There is no charge and registration is not necessary. 

Mitchell’s Meat Processing will also be hand to discuss deer processing regulations.

Food Pantries "May" Accept Deer Donations 

There "may" be opportunities to donate your deer to a local food pantry. The deer would need to be skinned, gutted, de-boned and placed in a cooler on ice with a tag number and delivered to Mitchell's Meat Processing in Walnut Cove for cutting September 13 through January 3. Indicate that the deer is for the food pantry and Mitchell's will handle the rest at no cost to you! This is dependent on funding and CWD regulations. Contact Mitchell's at 336-591-7420 or text 336-310-9538 with questions about deer processing. 

4-H Poultry Show

It seems early to be talking about a poultry show that takes place in June, BUT we have to order our chicks in December, so we are beginning our marketing and recruitment now with a Q&A session on October 30 at 6:30 p.m.  Register to attend the webinar.

Important Dates to Know:

• October 30 @ 6:30 p.m. - Poultry Show Q&A

• December 12 - Registration deadline for 4-H Poultry Show

• January 2026 - All participants must enroll/reenroll in 4-H Online.

• January 2026 - Watch the required webinar recordings - Brooding, Nutrition/Housing, & Health

• February 6, 2926 - Chick Pick-up (TENTATIVE)

• June 1, 2026 - Project Record Books Due

• June 16, 2026 @ 10 a.m. - NCD 4-H Poultry & Rabbit Show - Location TBD

Beginner Homesteading Workshop Series

Join N.C. Cooperative Extension, Stokes County Center from 6-7 p.m. on Thursdays, October 16 - November 6 for a Beginner Homesteader Workshop Series. You can attend from one to all four of the workshops. Workshops are held in the Community Services Center at 700 Main Street, Danbury (behind Riverstreet), off Sheep Rock Road. Register at https://go.ncsu.edu/stokeshomesteader. 

Swine Producers with sows and/or exhibition swine can order Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) or 840 tags at no cost to them by visiting https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/swine/swine-identification. 

September Tips

• Continue to ensure that stock have access to minerals

• Do a soil test before Thanksgiving when they begin charging for the "busy" season

• Apply Nitrogen to cool-season forages

• Now is the time to overseed your cool-season grasses, as well as winter annuals

• Access body condition score on your animals before winter; supplement any thin animals NOW

• Take stock of your hay needs and inventory and arrange to purchase hay if needed. Visit nchayfinder.com. 

• Take hay samples to determine your forage quality. Feed your best hay to animals with the highest nutritional needs (lactating, gestating, and growing). Our hay probe is available to borrow to assist you. 

• Inspect and trim hooves before the wet, muddy winter season

• Have a Hurricane/storm plan in place. Do you know the highest elevation on your property? Do you have water storage containers for your stock?

September Quality Assurance Tips

It is always important to ensure that stock have access to clean water. 

REMINDERS

Small Ruminant Marketing

Learn about different marketing strategies to benefit your sheep or goat operation on Wednesday, October 29 from 1-5 p.m. at the Orange County Extension Center in Hillsborough. The cost is $10.  Register here. 

Backyard Flock Survey

Since March 2024, 70 cases of avian influenza A(H5) (H5 bird flu) have occurred in humans in the United States, mostly among workers exposed to infected dairy cows and commercial poultry farms. However, cases have also occurred among people exposed to birds kept in non-commercial, backyard flocks.

CDC is interested in learning more about backyard flock owners and their flocks, thus they are conducting an anonymous survey which asks about:

•  Characteristics of backyard flock owners, their families, and their flocks.

•  Knowledge of H5 bird flu and signs and symptoms of H5 bird flu in birds and humans.

•  Perceived risk of and concern about H5 bird flu to their backyard flock and themselves/families.

• Attitudes towards reporting sick or dead birds and protective measures like vaccination of their flock.

•  Practices they use to protect their flock and themselves from H5 bird flu.

CDC will use the survey results to improve H5 bird flu prevention activities. Questions can be sent to h5flustudy@cdc.gov.

URL link to the survey: https://redcap.link/backyardflock

Insecticides - External parasites are happy about the hot, wet weather we've been having. Our local livestock supply stores have a good selection of insecticides in stock (Pyrethroids such as Permethrin, Coumaphos). You have to READ the label to know what you're getting. There are lots of options for cattle, some for sheep, a few for swine, but hardly any for goats, so you may need to talk to your veterinarian for an off-label drug recommendation. At least one product has two levels of concentration. The lower level controls most flies. The higher concentration is also labeled for ticks, so know what you're buying. Other things to consider:

• Some insecticides can be poured directly onto the animal, but are usually administered by weight. Remember that we have scales and cattle panels that may be rented to assist you with that. 

• Other Iabels advise you to dilute the insecticide into a spray to be applied. 

• Some can only be applied to livestock premise and not directly to the animals. 

• Still others can be applied as a rub, a face flag, or back rub. 

• Finally, read the withdrawal time for milk, and/or slaughter.

Again, the label is the law when it comes to applications.

NC 4-H Livestock Judging, Skillathon, and Quiz Bowl - We are proud to announce that the Stokes/Rockingham 4-H Livestock Judging Team is the 2025 NC State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest Champions! Read the full story here. 

New World Screwworm - The New World Screwworm is moving closer to the Texas border AND has been found in a human in the United States. Watch this <thirty minute video from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Division, to be aware of what to look for, how to report cases, and response protocols. (Give it a minute to load.)

Trailer Bedding and Transport Quality Assurance - Read the article at https://stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/2025/08/livestock-trailer-bedding/. 

Beef Quality Assurance - 

Fermenting Poultry Feed - Learn more about the risks, and how to ferment feed from this article written by NC State Poultry Specialist, Sam Mwangi. 

Annual Forage Webinar Series - Below is the schedule for the annual Forage Webinar Series. All webinars will be from 3 to 4 pm in the dates indicated below:

• 9/17, Buying versus producing hay for livestock managers, by Dr. Charley Martinez (University of Tennessee), register here.

• 10/8, Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to frost-seed clovers in stockpiled tall fescue pastures, by Dr. Miguel Castillo and Seth Nagy (NC State University, NC Cooperative Extension), register here.

Emergency Response Training - Ropes, Knots, & Mechanical Advantage for Large Animal Rescue (PEART 02), September 24, Forsyth Cooperative Extension Center, 1450 Fairchild Road, Winston-Salem, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Do You Sell Hay? Add It to our Hay Directory - Hay dealers are encouraged to create an account on our brand new NC Hay Finder Directory.  Visit https://www.nchayfinder.com/, and click Create a Listing, create your account, and then list your product. Photos (that match the listing) are encouraged. Avoid label claims like "herbicide free", "organic", etc. 

2025 Graded Feeder Calf Sales - The 2025 Graded Feeder Calf Sales will be held August 14, September 25, and November 13 at the Stanly County Livestock Market in Norwood. Visit https://www.norwoodfeedercalf.com/ for more information. Take note of the sale requirements, and tag request including a set double vaccination protocol, and weaning schedule. 

FYI

(These are not Extension Sponsored events, but we thought they were worth sharing.)

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Calendar of Livestock Events

TODAY Create your listing with https://www.nchayfinder.com

Sept 9 -13 Stokes County Fair - GO.NCSU.EDU/STOKESAGFAIRLIVESTOCK

Sept 11 Stokes County Cattlemen's Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; 

Sept 15 NC State Fair Livestock Entries Due - https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/ncstatefair/livestock

Sept 17 Buying Versus Producing Hay for Livestock Managers, Zoom, 3-4 pm

Sept 18 Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Ed, V and X Credits, 700 Main St. Danbury

Sept 23 Deer Management & Nuisance Issues, 6:30 p.m., 700 Main Street Danbury

Sept 24 Ropes, Knots, and Mechanical Advantage, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Sept 25 Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Stanly County Livestock Market, Norwood

Sept 27 Biltmore Fall Production Angus Sale

Oct. 3-12 Carolina Classic Fair - https://carolinaclassicfair.com/livestock-schedule/

Oct. 8 Unmannned Aerial Vehicles to Frost-Seed Clovers in Stockpiled Fescue, Zoom, 3-4

Oct. 9 Stokes County Cattlemen's Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 16-26 NC State Fair - https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/ncstatefair/livestock

Oct. 16 Beginner Homesteading Series, 6-7 p.m.; Stokes Extension; Food Preservation

Oct. 21 Durham and Orange County Mobile Poultry Processing Unit (MPU) workshop, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 23 Beginner Homesteading Series, 6-7 p.m.; Stokes Extension; Livestock

Oct. 25 Meat Rabbit Processing Workshop, Save the Date, Lexington, 9 - 12 noon

Oct. 29 Small Ruminant Marketing Workshop, HIllsborough, 1-5 p.m.

Oct. 30 Beginner Homesteading Series, 6-7 p.m.; Stokes Extension; Herbs

Nov. 6 Beginner Homesteading Series, 6-7 p.m.; Stokes Extension; Fruits/Veg. Production

Nov. 13 Graded Feeder Calf Sale, Stanly County Livestock Market, Norwood

Nov. 13 Stokes County Cattlemen's Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 6 Waynesville Bull Test Sale

Dec. 13 Butner Bull Test Sale

**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.

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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: Matt Lenhardt, matt_lenhardt@ncsu.edu or 336-593-8179. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least {10} days before the event.”


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