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

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October 22, 2025

November Cattlemen's Meeting

Join us the second Thursday of November, November 13, at 6:30 p.m. for our next Cattlemen's Meeting. ALL livestock producers are welcome to join us for the educational part of the meeting. We will start with a meal at 6:30 p.m. (optional), to be followed by a talk from Mallory Flanagan, DVM from Animal Care Clinic of Madison-Mayodan who is now offering livestock services. Please register at https://go.ncsu.edu/scca, by calling 336-593-8179, or emailing awbowman@ncsu.edu. 

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is back. It's been detected in 3 small flocks in Guilford, Union, and Rutherford Counties over the last 3 weeks. Reminder to all Livestock Producers (not just poultry folks) to review and enforce biosecurity protocols to protect their stock and our state's poultry industry. This type of HPAI virus is considered a low risk to people according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, but is highly contagious to other birds, including commercial and backyard flocks of poultry.  Please see NCDA&CS Current HPAI Status for a full listing of positive premises during this outbreak.

For more information about HPAI, please Poultry Extension's Educational Resources Page 

Other things to consider at this time - limit visitors to flocks - if your chicken coop/run has an open or screened top, cover with metal or plastic to prevent wild bird droppings from falling into bird area- remove wild bird feeders or distance them from any backyard flocks as much as possible - provide "enrichment" if your birds are more confined than usual to help prevent birds from pecking one another

AgVentures Grants are Back!

NC AgVentures, a NC State Extension program provides grants to NC farmers and non-profit community groups that work with family farms, for agricultural project ideas that will increase farm profits. The program, which is sponsored by the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, will award a minimum of 50 grants to independent family farms. This is a great opportunity for any producer who is thinking of diversifying, improving, or expanding their farm operation. (This grant is not for farm start-up costs or homesteads.)

• This is a competitive grant program. 

• NC AgVentures will award grants up to $10,000.

• Application submission began October 15th, 2025.

The FINAL submission deadline to apply is 6 p.m. December 19th, 2025. You are required to work with N.C. Cooperative Extension to submit this grant and are highly encouraged to submit your rough draft to N.C. Cooperative Extension at least two weeks in advance to allow them to offer feedback and comments.

For additional information visit their webpage: ncagventures.org. 

Poultry Processing Trainings

Cleveland County will be hosting a Poultry Processing Class and Demo on Thursday, October 30th. There is also one in Caswell County on November 19. Registration link for both. 

Cattle Producer Webinars

NC State Extension is excited to share a series of upcoming educational opportunities:

October 23 – 12:00 PM- Tax Webinar for Cattle Producers 

November 13 – 12:00 PM- Dairy Market Insights, Trends, and Opportunities Webinar

December 16 – 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM- Market Dynamics and Price Protection (Offered online and in person – includes a report on the Beef/Dairy Research Project)

These programs are part of the Dairy Winter Management Series, designed to reach a broader audience across both beef and dairy sectors. All sessions will be recorded so you can view them later. You can also find the full details and registration information on the Dairy Portal:  http://go.ncsu.edu/readext?1097980

Cattle Stockmanship and Stewardship Virtual Event

If you were unable to attend one of the in-person s this year, you are in luck, because National Cattlemen's Beef Association is hosting a virtual Stockmanship and Stewardship event on Nov. 18 and 19 from 12pm-3pm EST each day! Join us easily within your home or office and participate in educational sessions on topics like succession planning, cattle handling techniques, animal health and a D.C. issues update. Registration is free for this event.

Meat Suite Training

Support local sales. Reach more buyers. Grow your business. Join NC Choices and Cornell University for a fall webinar series designed to help farms increase profitable sales through MeatSuite.com. MeatSuite.com is a free tool for farmers in New York and North Carolina to connect with local customers looking to buy bulk, farm-raised meat directly. With rising commodity prices, now is the ideal time to update your pricing and expand your customer base.

This series will cover:

• Getting started with MeatSuite to reach more customers.
• Evaluating your pricing strategy to remain profitable.
• Using the tools such as the Meat Price Calculator and Bundle Builder
• Enhancing your online marketing to meet profit goals and customer needs

Whether you're already listed on MeatSuite or exploring its potential, these webinars will help you leverage its free tools to grow your business.

Advance registration is required for each session.

Webinar Series:

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Getting Started and Making the Most of MeatSuite: Free Online Tools to Increase Your Profitability

Speakers: Matt LeRoux & Lee Menius

Presentation 7:00 – 8:00pm

Location: Zoom (Pre-Registration Required)

Thursday, October 30, 2025

Effective Pricing Strategies for Profitability: Don’t Leave Money on the Table

Speakers: Matt LeRoux & Lee Menius

Presentation 7:00 – 8:00pm

Location: Zoom (Pre-Registration Required)

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Sell More Meat Using Farm-Tested Marketing Tactics

Speakers: Casey Roe

Presentation 7:00 – 8:00pm

Location: Zoom (Pre-Registration Required)

REMINDERS

Cattle Handling System

The cattle chute and attached palpation cage are on a wheel kit and all can be rented from the county for a fee. Visit https://stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/rental-equipment/ to learn more. 

Small Ruminant Field Day

Join us Saturday, November 8 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Upper Piedmont Research Station in Reidsville to learn about sheep genetics and data collection, estimated breeding values, real world scenarios of ram evaluation and parasite management. Sheep handling systems will also be on display. Our speaker will be Jake Thorne, Small Ruminant Specialist from Texas A&M University and Dr. Andrew Weaver, Small Ruminant Specialist from NC State University. 

REGISTER AT: https://go.ncsu.edu/fallfieldday25

Chainsaw Safety/Natural Disaster Farm Preparedness Workshop 

Join NC State Extension on November 14th and 15th at the Butner Beef Cattle Research Station in Granville County for a hands-on workshop designed to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge of chainsaw operation and preparing your farm/family/livestock for a natural disaster. The $40 registration fee covers lunch and snacks for both days. 

Below is a flyer with all the details, including registration information.  The event is limited to 20 participants, so please register early.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chainsaw-safety-natural-disaster-preparedness-for-farmers-tickets-1674783655999?msockid=13bf1f90ac7b6274043c0c1bad7963ce

Making Hay Versus Buying Hay

The majority of all livestock producers in Stokes County would be considered on the smaller end of the production scale, thus it makes sense to purchase hay rather than to make your own. "Hay production may no longer be the most efficient or profitable use of your time and resources", Carson Roberts, University of Missouri, Drovers Magazine, retrieved September 17, 2025.

Learn more at https://www.drovers.com/news/beef-production/why-should-i-quit-making-hay. Remember to visit https://nchayfinder.com to locate potential sources for purchasing hay. Find someone that you can trust, and get an established contract with them. If they haven't tested their hay, you can learn more about doing that at https://stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/stokes-county-livestock-forage/forage-management-resources/forage-hay-testing/.

Poultry Survey

N.C. Cooperative Extension is working to improve the small flock programming offered across the state, including virtually, in person, and via publications. Please complete the following survey to help us determine what programming is needed so we can focus our efforts efficiently. We would love input from small flock producers!
Small Poultry Flock Programming Needs Assessment

October Tips

2026 Forage and Grassland Council Conference in NC

The American Forage and Grassland Council annual meeting is being held in Asheville, NC at the Embassy Suites, January 12-15, 2026. View the agenda and register here. T

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.

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. It's okay if you missed the first class, you can still attend. 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. 

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. 

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 final 2025 Graded Feeder Calf Sales will be held 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.)

Winter Feeding for Sheep

With fall transitioning to winter, many producers will now start to provided stored feeds and forages to their flocks. Join the NC Sheep Producers Association on Nov. 10, 2025 at 8:00 pm (2nd Monday), as we discuss what stored feeds are available to North Carolina producers, how to source them, and how best to feed them. 

More info and online registration at: www.NCSheep.com

*Registration is free, but required to receive the Zoom link.

Flood Map

The Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert Network (FIMAN) provides real-time water levels and flood inundation products across North Carolina. This information is intended for flood preparedness and response. It's a neat tool to look at current water levels. Visit https://ncdisaster.ces.ncsu.edu/2025/09/flood-inundation-mapping-and-alert-network-shares-risk-information/ to learn more. 

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 now through January 3. Mitchell's can also accept deer after that date WITH a valid depredation permit number.  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. 

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Calendar of Livestock Events

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

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

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

Oct. 23 Getting Started and Making the Most of Meatsuite, 7-8 PM (virtual)

Oct. 23 Tax Webinar for Cattle Producers, http://go.ncsu.edu/readext?1097980

Oct. 25 Meat Rabbit Processing Workshop, 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

Oct. 30 Effective Pricing Strategies for Profitability using Meatsuite, 7-8 PM (virtual)

Oct. 30 Poultry Processing Class and Demo, Cleveland County 

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

Nov. 6 Sell More meat Using Farm-Tested Marketing Tactics, 7-8 PM (Virtual)

Nov. 8 Sheep Field Day, Upper Piedmont Research Station, Reidsville, 9 - 4:30

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

Nov. 13 Stokes County Cattlemen's Meeting, 6:30 p.m., with Animal Care of Madison/Mayodan

Nov 13 – 12:00 PM- Dairy Market Insights, Trends, and Opportunities Webinar, http://go.ncsu.edu/readext?1097980

Nov. 14 & 15 Chainsaw and Disaster Safety Workshop, Butner

Nov. 18 & 19 Stockmanship and Stewardship Training for Cattlemen

Nov 19 Caswell County Poultry Processing Course

Dec. 5 NC Agventures Due to April for editing. ncagventures.org.

Dec. 6 Waynesville Bull Test Sale

Dec. 6 NC Sheep Producers Annual Meeting and Educational Program

Dec. 12 Last day to wean calves for Jan 26 Tel-O-Auction

Dec. 13 Butner Bull Test Sale

Dec 16 – 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM- Market Dynamics and Price Protection (Offered online and in person – includes a report on the Beef/Dairy Research Project), http://go.ncsu.edu/readext?1097980

Dec. 19 - FINAL AgVentures grant submission deadline ncagventures.org.

Jan 26 Patrick County Feeder Calf Tel-O-Auction

**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: 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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