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

January 5, 2026

January Cattlemen's Meeting

Join us the second Thursday of January, the 8, at 6:30 p.m. for our next Cattlemen's Meeting.  We will share a meal at 6:30 p.m, to be followed by education, and a business meeting. Please register at https://go.ncsu.edu/scca, by calling 336-593-8179, or emailing awbowman@ncsu.edu. 

Also, we have raffle tickets for a shotgun to benefit the three high school FFA programs.  

Livestock Needs Assessment

Stokes County Cooperative Extension is trying to capture interests for future Livestock/Forage Workshops in and around Stokes County. Contact April Bowman, Livestock Extension Agent, at 336-593-8179 or awbowman@ncsu.edu for more information, to share your thoughts, and/or to have a survey mailed to you (include your name and mailing address). Please complete the survey by February 1, 2026. Take the survey here. 

2026 N.C. Small Ruminant Educational Series

Save the Dates!

• January 22  - Online Only

  • Late Gestation Management - Dr. Andrew Weaver

• February 10th - Chatham County OR Virtual via Zoom

  • Lactation Management (Mastitis and OPP) - Dr. Michelle Bouchey 

• March 3rd - Johnston County OR Virtual via Zoom

  • Urinary calculi/Coccidia 

• April - Iredell County OR Virtual via Zoom

  • Biosecurity (CL, CAE/OPP, Johnes, HPAI, Footrot

Cattle and Forage Field Day

You are cordially invited to the field day "Leveraging technology to improve pastures and cattle performance" planned for February 11, 2026, from noon to 4 pm, at the Butner Beef Cattle Field Lab. in Roxboro, NC. 
There will be four field stations plus updates on research activities highlighting the topics of introducing clovers in tall fescue pastures, using UAVs for improving pastures, precision feeding, supplementation to increase fertility, and heifer development and selection (see attached flyer). Speakers include Felipe Silva, Matt Poore, Benjamin Rajo, Johnny Rogers, Seth Nagy, and Miguel Castillo. Registration is required, which includes lunch, by clicking here.

Bull Selection Survey

A survey was developed (link here) to determine how producers are currently selecting their bulls (which traits and at what emphasis are being selected), along with data indicating their type of operation, management information (breeds, percent replacements, marketing, management level), current herd data (calving/weaning percent, percent dystocia, performance values) and planning horizon. The survey will end January 31, 2026. Answer the survey to support researchers working in breeding and genetics, and for a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards.

Surry Cattlemen's Meeting

Surry County Cattlemen's will be hosting Dr. Benjamin Rajo, NC State Extension Beef Specialist, to talk about "Strategies and Decisions to Improve Beef System Productivity in Kentucky-31 Fescue Environments". The meeting will be held on February 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Central Cafe, 304 N. Main Street in Dobson. There will be a $10 charge at the door for anyone eating. Please call 336-401-8025 by February 6 to RSVP for the meal, or with questions.

January Tips

• Apply lime (if needed) to raise your soil pH. Lime is slow acting, so apply earlier rather than later. Do NOT apply any Nitrogen! 

• Continue grazing stockpiled Fescue by allocating 1-3 days of supply at a time.

• Limit overgrazing by providing hay

• If it turns wet, limit grazing to prevent pugging (hoof damage to sod)

• Order your clover for frost seeding in late February or early March

• See more cold weather tips here

USDA-NRCS Cost Share Deadline Approaching

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is currently accepting applications from cooperators who are interested in conservation programs. The application deadline for all NRCS agriculture cost share programs for 2026 funding is January 15, 2026. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestland, and other farm or ranch lands.

Contact McKayla Newsome in the Stokes County office to inquire about programs that may potentially benefit your operation and address resource concerns.

Phone: (336)-593-2846 ext. 3

Email: mckayla.newsome@usda.gov

REMINDERS

NC Cattlemen's Meeting

Join us for the NC Cattle Conference, presented by Piedmont Custom Meats, the premier cattle industry event of the year, February 20-21, 2026, at the Hickory Metro Center.  Event Highlights:

• Expert Speakers on market trends, animal health, and sustainability
• Trade Show & Exhibits featuring innovative products and services
• Networking & Social Events to build valuable connections
• Youth Programs & Auctions supporting the next generation of cattle industry leaders  

Register to Attend

Pond Management

Does your pond have algae bloom in the summer? Check out the new Pond Management Calendar for ways to improve your pond health. https://haywood.ces.ncsu.edu/farm-pond-management/north-carolina-farm-pond-management-calendar/

Do You Need a Pesticide License?

Visit this decision tree to decide. To register for a Pesticide Safety School, please go online.

Questions about obtaining a license can be directed to the Pesticide Safety Education Program by emailing pesticide-edu@ncsu.edu or calling 919-515-3113.

For exam-related questions, please contact the NCDA&CS at 984-236-4594 or visit their webpage.

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. 

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. 

FYI

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

NC Angus Association Annual Meeting

 2026 NC Angus Association Annual Meeting, Social & Banquet February 7, 2026 at “The Farm at Brusharbor”, 7700 Brusharbor Way -Concord, NC 28025. Annual Meeting registration at https://nc-angus-association.square.site/.  

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Calendar of Livestock Events

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

Jan 8 Stokes County Cattlemen's Association Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Jan 12- 15 American Forage and Grassland Conference, Asheville

Jan 19 Extension Office Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Jan 26 Patrick County Feeder Calf Tel-O-Auction

Feb 3-5 National Cattle Convention, Nashville, TN

Feb 4-6 Southern Farm Show, NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh

Feb 7 North Carolina Angus Association Annual Meeting, Concord

Feb 11 North Central District Cattlemen's Meeting, and Forage Field Day

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

Feb 20-21 North Carolina Cattle Conference, Hickory, NC

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

March 12 Early entry deadline for Clover Classic Livestock Show

March 28-29 Clover Classic Youth Livestock Show, Winston-Salem Fairgrounds

**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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