Pond Clinic

The Granville and Person County Cooperative Extension offices held a pond clinic on Friday, June 5 at the Granville County Expo Center. This clinic included presentations from NC State Extension pond specialists. Participants learned about pond weed identification and their control measures, along with overall pond management. The clinic had 23 very engaged participants with great questions for the presenters. If you have any pond questions, please contact Person County Cooperative Extension  at  336-599-1195.

Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

There have been more Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus issues this year than most for some reason, possibly the dry hot weather. A lot of individuals are having it affect their tomato and pepper plants. This virus is vectored, introduced/spread, by an insect called Thrips. The Thrips feed on the plant infecting the plant with the virus causing symptoms on the vegetation and usually death of the plant. To control this disease you need to control the Thrips. Unfortunately, once a plant is infected with the virus there is no control or cure. For homeowners, products with Spinosad as the active ingredient is affective in controlling the Thrips. Insecticidal soaps and Neem oil is also affective insecticides. As always if you have any questions regarding this, please contact Person County Cooperative Extension at 336-599-1195

Disaster Assistance for 2026 Livestock Forage Losses

Producers are eligible to apply for 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits on small grain, native pasture, improved pasture, annual ryegrass, and forage sorghum. The program helps to provide compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land. You must complete a CCC-853 and the required supporting documentation no later than March 1, 2027 for 2026 losses. For information about LFP, including eligible livestock criteria, contact your local service center or visit FSA Livestock Forage

NCDA&CS Enacts Movement Restrictions on Animals Imported from States Affected by New World Screwworm

North Carolina has no cases of New World Screwworm. However, due to the detection of New World Screwworm in the United States, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will enforce additional interstate movement health requirements for warm-blooded animals, including livestock, horses, dogs and cats, entering North Carolina from states affected by a New World Screwworm Infested Zone. “The restrictions on interstate movement of animals from these affected areas is one of the tools we are using to help our state be in a better position to prevent and control the spread of New World Screwworm,”said State Veterinarian Mike Martin. All warm-blooded animals imported into North Carolina from an Infested Zone must have an accredited veterinarian complete the normal importation requirements and comply with the NWS National Continuity of Business Standardized Animal Movement Guidance. The Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection shall be valid for no more than seven days from the date of inspection and must include the statement, “All animals listed have been inspected and found free of evidence of NWS infestation.” An entry permit number must be requested at least 48 hours prior to movement. Permit numbers can be requested Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by emailing NC-ICVI@ncagr.gov. All warm-blooded animals entering North Carolina from outside an Infested Zone but within a Surveillance Zone must have an accredited veterinarian complete the normal importation requirements and be accompanied by an ICVI (Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) including the statement, “All animals listed have been inspected and found free of evidence of NWS infestation.” The ICVI shall be valid for no more than seven days from the date of inspection. New World Screwworm was detected in Zavala County, Texas on June 3, 2026. Additional cases have since been detected in other Texas counties and in New Mexico. This is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and, less commonly, people and birds. Adult NWS flies can look very similar to houseflies and the maggots (larvae) look similar to our native fly maggots. Laboratory identification is needed to identify maggots accurately. The NWS larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals and they cause extensive damage to wounds by feeding on this healthy tissue. If you suspect New World Screwworm maggots in a wound call your local veterinarian or NCDA&CS at 919-707-3250. New World Screwworm is considered a reportable disease in the United States. New World Screwworm is not a food safety concern and the food supply is safe. For more information on the current outbreak visit www.screwworm.gov. For NC specific information visit: NCDA’s New World Screwworm site.

Drought & Irrigation Considerations - June 2026

North Carolina is under drought conditions, with tobacco growing regions ranging from moderate to exceptional drought conditions (shown below). While tobacco can handle some dry weather, the drought thus far in the growing season is exceptional and likely beyond what can be tolerated without irrigation for most of the crop. The article linked at Tobacco Irrigation does a great job covering irrigation considerations for tobacco in a drought. Instead of writing a completely new article, here are a few key takeaways from the article for June 2026, as well as a couple of added thoughts.

Crop stage is important, especially when irrigation water is limited

• Irrigation is typically not recommended between transplanting and layby. In fact, moderate stress during this time can encourage root growth. However, this is not a typical year, and we are past moderate stress in many areas. If your crop is not yet at layby and growth has been significantly delayed, consider irrigation. Irrigate enough to make it worth it, but not excessively.

• Water is most critical between layby and topping as this is when roughly 80% of tobacco growth occurs. About one inch per week (from rain and irrigation combined) during this time is ideal. If you are at this stage, consider irrigation, even if water available for irrigation is limited.

• After topping, the plant is losing less water via transpiration, and the water need is reduced.

Nitrogen is the most important nutrient in tobacco production, and the majority of nitrogen is taken up by the plant roots in water. Water not only makes nitrogen move into the plant, it also makes it leach out of the rooting zone. Without any rain, where is the nitrogen? A significant portion of it is probably right where you left it – in the fertilizer band. The interaction between nitrogen and water affects a couple of different management decisions right now. First, if you are an Old or Middle Belt grower approaching layby, be sure not to over-fertilize the crop at layby. There is likely more nitrogen still plant-available in the soil than usual at this time of year, and excess nitrogen would likely delay ripening. Second, for those in the eastern part of the state that are around or right after topping, this is when we typically want to run out of nitrogen in the soil so that the plant can begin the ripening process. Thus, irrigating sooner rather than later will get that nitrogen in the plant where it belongs and allow the crop to begin ripening. This will hopefully avoid a late-season green-up. Ultimately, when considering irrigation at or after topping, be sure to think about how much nitrogen you have applied, how much rain/irrigation you have gotten thus far, and how much nitrogen might still be in the soil. Then, consider how that would affect your crop with irrigation now as compared to a future rain event later (that may or may not come).

A couple last points from the article to increase water use efficiency. First, good weed control reduces competition with the crop for limited soil moisture. Second, early topping and effective sucker control reduce plant demand for water.

"USMCA at the 2026 Review: What North Carolina Businesses Should Know" from the NC Chamber Foundation; in June 19 Wheat Beat

Canada and Mexico account for nearly one-third of North Carolina exports, making the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) an important moment for the state's business community. As the 2026 review approaches, the NC Chamber Foundation has developed a situational briefing highlighting what’s at stake for North Carolina's economy and business community.

USMCA at the 2026 Review: What North Carolina Businesses Should Know

Key Facts

• North Carolina exported a record $43.8 billion in goods in 2025.
  

• Canada and Mexico account for nearly one-third of North Carolina exports, with Canada serving as the state's largest export market.
  

• Nearly 11,000 North Carolina companies export goods, including more than 9,500 small and medium-sized businesses.
  

• Trade with Canada and Mexico supports as many as 142,000 jobs across North Carolina.
  

• North Carolina imported roughly $17 billion in goods from Mexico and more than $8 billion from Canada in 2024, making the two countries among the state's largest foreign suppliers.

Why it Matters

Canada and Mexico serve as critical partners in regional supply chains and key markets for North Carolina businesses. USMCA provides the stability and predictability businesses rely on to invest, grow, and compete across North America. Manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, life sciences, and small and medium-sized exporters all benefit from a North American trade framework that supports long-term planning, investment, and market access. The 2026 review will determine whether the agreement is extended for another 16 years or moves into a period of annual reviews. While annual reviews could provide an opportunity to address sector-specific priorities, they could also introduce additional uncertainty for businesses making long-term decisions about investment, sourcing, and expansion. As North America’s economic and trade landscape continues to evolve, the 2026 USMCA review represents an important moment for businesses across North Carolina. To read the full briefing, explore key findings, and learn what business leaders should consider in the weeks ahead, click here.

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