Chatham County

Livestock & Forages Newsletter

- January 29th, 2026 -

Here's what's waiting for you in this newsletter

• Pesticide License Testing - Feb 12

• 2026 Small Ruminant Education Series - Feb 10, Mar 3, & Apr 30

• Field Day [Improving Pastures & Cattle Performance] - Feb 11

• Dealer Days (Pesticide Credit Opportunity) 

• Herd Health Management (Cattle, Sheep, & Goats) - Feb 12

• NC State Spray Drone Fly-in - Feb 13

• MeatSuite Webinar Series - Feb 13, Feb 27, & Mar 6

• Silvopasture (Agroforestry Grants) - deadline Mar 3

• Sheep & Goat Meat Pricing Webinar - Feb 17

• Pasture Management for Horse Owners (3 part series) - Feb 19, Mar 19, & Apr 16

• Temple Grandin Book signing - Mar 13

• Small Farm / Business Marketing - Feb 10, Feb 17, & Feb 24

• NC Cattlemen's Conference - Feb 20-21

• Southern Farm Show - Feb 4-6

Pesticide License Testing

Feb 12th from 10 AM - 1:00 PM

Ag Pesticide License & Fumigant Exam Testing

Join us on February 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at 1192 U.S. Hwy 64 West Business for agricultural pesticide exam testing administered by the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Farmers may take the Private Applicator exam first, and after it is submitted, may take either the Soil Fumigation or Commodity Fumigation exam if time permits. Testing fees will be collected by NCDA&CS at the time of testing.

2026 Small Ruminant Educational Series

The N.C. Small Ruminant Educational Series is an annual program designed to provide practical, research-based information to help sheep and goat producers improve animal health, productivity, and on-farm management. Each year, this series focuses on timely topics and common challenges faced by small ruminant producers across North Carolina.

Quick Registration Links

• Lactation Management (Mastitis & OPP) – February 10 (Chatham County)
  Register: https://smallruminant-lactation.eventbrite.com

• Urinary Calculi & Coccidiosis – March 3 (Johnston County)
  Register: https://smallruminant-health.eventbrite.com

• Biosecurity (CL, CAE/OPP, Johne’s, HPAI, Footrot) – April 30 (Iredell County)
  Register: https://smallruminant-biosecurity.eventbrite.com

In 2026, this series will be offered in a hybrid format for the first time.
This approach is designed to encourage producers to come together in person to learn, eat, and network while still allowing online participation for those unable to attend in-person. Our goal is to strengthen producer connections while delivering high-quality educational programming.

Sessions are led by NC State Extension specialists and veterinarians and are offered online and in-person across the state.

Field Day

Leveraging technology to improve pastures and cattle performance

Join us for a fun day of learning how to leverage technology to improve pastures and cattle performance.

Topics Include:

• How the NC Beef System Operates
• Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for Improving Pastures
• Strategies to Introduce Clovers Into Tall Fescue Pastures
• Heifer Development & Selection
• Update on NCSU Research Studies- Vytelle Feeding System and Increasing Fertility Through Supplementation.

Another Pesticide Credit Opportunity

Department of Ag: Dealer Days

2 X Credits

These events are free and do not require registration to attend.
All events are from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.Please see the dates and locations below.
Questions about an event? Please call 984-236-4575

2 hrs of A, B, D, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, T & X

Herd Health Management

Carthage, NC

Feb 12 at 6:30 PM

The Moore County Stockmen's Association will have Landry Woodrum with Merck Animal Health at their meeting on February 12. He will be talking about herd health and vaccines for cattle, sheep, and goats.

Spray Drone Fly-in

Feb 13th from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Chatham County

You're invited to the inaugural NC State Extension Spray Drone Fly-in! Dive into drone applications, cutting-edge research, industry updates, and weather-permitting hands-on demos.

Who Should Attend? Current aerial applicators, ag professionals, farmers, and students eager to explore this transformative technology.

When & Where: February 13, 2026, at Jordan Lake Educational Forest - Stan Adams Training Center.

Highlights:
Focus on swath & pattern testing
Updates from NC Department of Agriculture on licensing, investigations, and compliance
Insights from North Carolina Agricultural Aviation Association
Afternoon hands-on demos: Setup, swath width, spray quality, and dry product calibration
Earn 2  hours of aerial methods credit and get your annual NCDA aircraft inspection

Agenda Overview:
Morning sessions: Drone research, effective swath width, mission planning, NC CORS Network, NCDA updates, global perspectives, and NCAAA
Lunch at noon
Afternoon: Hands-on swath and pattern testing (weather permitting)

Want to test your aircraft settings? Contact me at snagy@ncsu.edu or 828-757-1290.

Space is limited—register now via Eventbrite

Does your farm sell meat???

FREE MeatSuite Webinar Series

Feb. 13, Feb 27, & Mar 6 | 7:00 - 8:00 PM

This winter, NC Choices and Cornell University are offering a webinar series to help your farm maximize profitable sales through MeatSuite.com.

The webinars (February 13, February 27, and March 6) will cover new tools, such as MeatSuite’s Bundle Builder, to help you move inventory and develop bulk bundle boxes that meet your profit goals and target your customers’ needs. Whether you are listed on MeatSuite or just curious to learn more, this series will cover a gamut from marketing to pricing strategies and tips to make the most out of the free resources on MeatSuite.com.

Learn more and register: cefs.ncsu.edu/event/meatsuite-webinar-series

Interested in Silvopasture?

Check out these Agroforestry Grants!

Application Deadline March 3rd, 2026

The 2026 Catalyzing Agroforestry Grant Program provides direct financial support and technical assistance for farmers and landowners who seek to join the effort to mitigate climate change through agroforestry. Agroforestry practices and applications sequester carbon, sustain productive and healthy farms and forests, protect water quality, regenerate soils, and enhance biodiversity. Using science-based planning strategies, the ultimate goal of this effort is to increase regenerative agriculture, sustainability, and diversity by supporting and scaling up agroforestry practices across the United States.

This competitive grant program focuses on implementing the following agroforestry practices: alley cropping, forest farming, riparian forest buffers, silvopasture, urban food forests, and windbreaks.

Application deadline is March 3!

Sheep & Goat Meat Pricing

February 17th, 2026 | 7:00-8:00 PM

Many producers struggle with effectively pricing meat products when selling directly to consumers. Join us as Lee Menius (NC State University) demonstrates pricing strategies to help increase your profitability. 

Pasture Management 

for Horse Owners 

Check out this 3 part webinar series! 

Feb 19, Mar 19, & Apr 16 | 12:00 PM

Good pasture management starts from the ground up. This three-part virtual educational series for horse owners covers the essentials of weed control, soil fertility and pasture management, and selecting high-quality hay for horses.

In the Pasture Perfect webinar series, Extension Agents in Hoke, Moore, and Richmond counties will provide practical, research-based information to help you improve pasture health, reduce weed pressure, and make better hay purchasing decisions. Perfect for new and experienced horse owners alike. These virtual discussions will begin at 12:00 PM EST and will conclude around 1:00 PM EST.

February 19 - Weed Management in Pastures
https://go.ncsu.edu/pastureperfectweedmanagement

March 19 - Increasing Pasture Production Through Soil Fertility
https://go.ncsu.edu/pastureperfectsoilfertility

April 16 - Choosing the Best Hay for Your Horse
https://go.ncsu.edu/pastureperfecthay

Temple Grandin

Workshop & Book Signing 

Friday, March 13, 2026 | Randolph County Ag Center

Dr. Temple Grandin is coming to the Randolph County Agricultural Center on March 13, 2026 for an evening livestock workshop and book signing.

Small Farm / Business Marketing: 

Three Part Series 

Feb 10, Feb 17, Feb 24 | Randolph County Ag Center

Do you need to raise online visibility for your farm or small business? Sign up to attend any or all of this three-part series. You will learn how to build a 2026 website, optimize your Google Business Profile, reach more customers through social media, and grow real sales using tools like the Randolph County Food Hub.

NC Cattlemen's Annual Conference

Feb. 20-21, 2026 | Hickory, NC

Join us for the largest cattle industry event in the Carolinas!

North Carolina Cattlemen's Association is proud to host this event which features an outstanding educational program alongside the largest trade show in its history. Network with fellow cattle producers from across the southeast and the country as we showcase our youth, research, and the best of our industry.

NC Forage & Grassland Council

RSVP by Feb. 12th

Feb. 19, 2026 | Hickory, NC

As the backbone of North Carolina’s agricultural outreach, you know that staying ahead of the curve in forage management is essential for supporting our local producers. To help you stay sharp and connected, we are officially inviting you to register for the upcoming North Carolina Forage and Grassland Council (NCFGC) Conference.

This year’s event is designed to be a "deep dive" into the practical and innovative strategies that keep NC grasslands productive and resilient.

Why You Should Attend:

• Cutting-Edge Research: Get first-hand updates on soil health, grazing management, and new forage varieties.

• Pesticide & CCA Credits: We are working to secure continuing education credits to help you maintain your certifications.

• Networking: Connect with industry experts, researchers, and fellow agents to exchange "boots-on-the-ground" solutions.

• Producer Insights: Better understand the current challenges and successes of NC farmers to tailor your county programs.

Southern Farm Show

February 4-6, 2026

The Southern Farm Show is the largest annual agricultural exposition in the Carolinas and Virginia.  Filling the NC State Fairgrounds, the show hosts over 400 exhibitors, agricultural meetings, workshops and training, and everything farmers need to prepare for the coming growing season.

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Helpful Links  

Click the buttons below to be directed to additional information. 

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

NC State University, 4101 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
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