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Our website has Frequently Asked Questions that you may find useful.
Feel free to contact April Bowman, Stokes County Livestock Extension Agent at awbowman@ncsu.edu or 336-593-8179 if you need assistance.
Our office Is NOT always staffed. Please call before coming if you plan to visit. |
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April 9, Cattlemen's Meeting
Please RSVP for Pest Management at https://go.ncsu.edu/scca.
Join N.C. Cooperative Extension on Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. for a meal, followed by a 7 p.m. training on Pasture and Field Weeds: Identifying and Managing. The meal is partially sponsored by Rocky Creek Vet. Services, so a small fee will be charged for those eating. We will meet at the Stokes County Cooperative Extension Office at 700 N. Main Street, Danbury, NC (behind Riverstreet) on Sheep Rock Road. You do NOT have to be a member in order to attend. |
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Cattle Reproduction Workshop
Register today for our 2026 Central Cattle Reproduction School at the Upper Piedmont Research Station (1944 Wentworth St, Reidsville, NC 27320) on May 19th, 2026, from 9 am to 5 pm. SPACE IS LIMITED!
This workshop series is conducted as a 1-day workshop, composed of a morning classroom session where we discuss reproductive management, timed artificial insemination, estrus synchronization, and bull selection and mating. This is followed by an afternoon hands-on covering of pregnancy testing methods ( palpation and blood analysis).
Lunch will be provided!
Registration Form |
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Mineral Consumption
Are you calculating how much mineral your animals are consuming? Or just replacing it when you run out? What does the label say?
With the spring pasture green-up, a good high-magnesium mineral is critical to prevent grass tetany.
Here is a mineral calculator
https://extension.sdstate.edu/mineral-consumption-calculator |
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NC Cattlemen's Membership
The North Carolina Cattlemen's Association has a new member incentive program. Through this program, current (or lifetime) members receive exclusive discounts from industry partners.
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ABS - $100 off regular priced semen
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Genex - 10% off any in-stock semen (min. 10 units)
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Biltmore - preferred admission pricing and the Enhanced Experience
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PAC Aerial Applicators - $20 off one invoice over $1,000
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Bobcat of Lenoir - 6% off parts
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Gallagher - 10% off all products (exceptions apply)
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The Barn Loft - 10% off clothing and marked down boots
Members also receive
and more. Join the association and learn more at https://www.nccattle.com/membership. |
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4-H Rabbit Show
Do you know a youth ages 5-18 that owns a rabbit or who would like to purchase one? There will be a 4-H Rabbit Show on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at the King American Legion Barn. Registration is open until May 1, 2026. The show is open to youth who reside in the North Central Cooperative Extension District which includes: Alamance, Alleghany, Ashe, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Orange, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Vance, Wilkes, or Yadkin counties. Youth must register in both 4-H Online and for the show itself. Learn more about the rabbit show and register at go.ncsu.edu/ncdpoultryrabbitshow.
Contact your local county 4-H or Livestock Extension Agent with questions, or contact April Bowman, Stokes County Cooperative Extension Livestock Agent at 336-593-8179, or awbowman@ncsu.edu. |
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Pastured Pork Workshop
Interested in raising "Pastured Pork"? Join N.C. Cooperative Extension and NC Choices for a workshop and tour at the NC A&T State University Farm Pavilion, 3020 McConnell Road, Greensboro. Registration is required
More Information |
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Homesteaders Group
The Stokes County Homesteaders Group meets the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m. for networking and education at the Stokes County Extension Center at 700 N. Main Street, Danbury, NC (behind Riverstreet). This includes Monday, April 6. Contact Matt Lenhardt or 336-593-8179 for more information. |
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MPU Workshop
The next Poultry Processing Workshop will take place at South Stokes High School, 1100 S. Stokes High Drive, Walnut Cove on Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Classroom topics on backyard bird basics, poultry processing, and regulations will be covered first, followed by lunch and then a hands-on opportunity to process broiler chickens in the afternoon. There will be enough chickens available for everyone to process one bird each if interested.
Guest Speakers will include:
- Jonas Asbill, Area Specialized Poultry Agent, North Carolina Cooperative Extension
- David Gonzalez, Meat and Poultry Inspector, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Christina Sigmon, Research Technician, Prestage Department of Poultry Science, NC State University
- Mark Paylor, Poultry Specialist, NC A&T State University
Registration cost is $25 per person, lunch and materials are provided.
Pre-registration and payment (cash or check only) are required to reserve your spot. Checks should be made to Stokes County Extension, and mailed to PO Box 460, Danbury, NC 27016. Space is limited and is first-come.
Questions? Contact April Bowman, awbowman@ncsu.edu or 336-593-8179.
More Information |
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April Tips
The information below is from Corteva https://www.corteva.com/us/products-and-solutions/pasture-management/articles/seasonal-pasture-improvement.html
- Watch for early emerging weeds and biennial thistles. Treat early. Early weed detection and treatment is the foundation for better forage production.
- Use a herbicide with residual control, such as DuraCor® or GrazonPD3™ herbicide, to control any new weed flushes that pop up well into the grazing season.
- If you do NOT want residual or are trying to protect white clover and annual lespedeza, a spring application of NovaGraz can benefit your pastures.
- monitor winter hay-feeding sites for new weeds that might have arrived with purchased hay.
Visit https://stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/rental-equipment/ to learn more about our rental equipment. |
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REMINDERS |
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Emergency Animal Response Training
I hope everyone is surviving this icy, snowy, cold weather. The chances are good that if you have social media or have watched the news, you have seen rescue crews pulling an animal out of a lake or pond. The animals walk out on ice and then break through and have to be rescued from the water using rigging, knots, and mechanical advantage with pulley and levers. Others have simply gotten next to a hay feeder or wall to get out of the wind and haven't been able to get their feet back under them to get back up. Maybe you yourself have had an animal get stuck in a hay feeder, stick their head inside a knot of a tree, or get their feet under them on the uphill side. I want to encourage you all to take both Basic Rigging for Large Animal Rescue, and/or Ropes, Knots, and Mechanical Advantage for Large Animal Rescue through the Piedmont Emergency Animal Response Team or PE-ART. You do NOT have to be an emergency responder!
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Ropes, Knots and Mechanical Advantage - April 9 - 8-12 - Forsyth Fire Dept
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Basic Rigging - April 9 - 1-6 PM - Forsyth Fire Dept
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Emergency & Disaster Animal Response Awareness - May 1 - 8-12 - Forsyth Fire
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Biosecurity in Animal Response Operations and Planning - June 25 - 9-12 - Forsyth Fire
Registration for all courses is through NC TERMS. Contact April Bowman, awbowman@ncsu.edu or 336-593-8179 if you need assistance with registering. |
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Small Ruminant Workshops
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
Long-term impacts on productivity and herd health
Food & networking begin at 6:30 p.m. Zoom program starts at 7:00 p.m.
Eventbrite: https://smallruminant-lactation.eventbrite.com
https://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/2026/01/nc-smallruminant-series/
You can access the first three workshops:
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Save the Dates (more information and registration coming soon)
- Wolfpack Roundup Sale and Educational Program (Spring Sheep Sale) - April 18, 2026 in Raleigh, NC and online at https://plauctions.live/home
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Save the Date - Farmer Appreciation |
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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. |
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Forward This Email to a Friend |
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Calendar of Livestock Events |
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TODAY Create your listing with https://www.nchayfinder.com
April 3 Office Holiday Closure
April 9 Stokes County Cattlemen's Association Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
April 18 Wolfpack Roundup Sale and Educational Program, Raleigh
April 23 Farmer Appreciation Dinner, South Stokes High School, 6 - 7:30 P.M.
April 25 NC Angus Association, Spring Fever Sale, Union Grove
April 30 Small Ruminant Biosecurity, 7 PM
May 1 4-H Rabbit Show Registration Deadline
May 7 Mobile Poultry Processing Unit Training, South Stokes High School
May 14 Stokes County Cattlemen's Association Meeting
May 19 Cattle Reproduction Workshop, Reidsville
May 25 Office Holiday Closure
June 16 North Central District 4-H Poultry and Rabbit Show, King |
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**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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NOTE: This link will unsubscribe you from ALL emails from N.C. Cooperative Extension, Stokes County Center. To unsubscribe from one email list (ie, livestock) contact April Bowman, at awbowman@ncsu.edu, or 336-593-8179. |
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