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

August 15, 2026

Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Forage and Grazing Lands

Soil organic matter is a key indicator of soil health, and it drives agricultural resilience.  Carbon and nitrogen are large components of organic matter.  Carbon is a vital element of all life.  Therefore, it drives biological activity and soil organic matter is a large source of this carbon.  Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for protein development in forages.  Nitrogen cycles among animals, plants, and soil organic matter through the activity of soil microorganisms.  How much carbon and nitrogen stored in soil organic matter of perennial pastures of North Carolina had not been comprehensively investigated until recently.  This webinar will describe the results of a soil analysis survey conducted in 2023 from 309 grassland fields distributed across North Carolina.  Regional, soil texture, and management effects were significant.  Results of how much and where in the soil profile soil carbon and nitrogen were stored might surprise you.  The potential of soil organic matter to release nitrogen to plants in a slow-release manner via soil microbial activity can have economic ramifications for fertilizer requirements.  Improved pasture management has a role to play in the long-term sustainability of agriculture by influencing soil organic matter.

Join Dr. Alan Franzluebbers, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 from 3-4 pm EST, who will present the webinar "Soil carbon and nitrogen in forage and grazing lands across North Carolina".  REGISTRATION (to receive the link). 

Herbicides for Pastures

We received an email this week from a local company that was telling how to kill crabgrass IN LAWNS! It was a good article. However, use caution; many herbicides labeled for use in lawns, are not labeled for use in pastures or hay fields. Some herbicides that will kill crabgrass, may also damage your Fescue, Orchardgrass and other desirable grasses. Herbicides also include a withdrawal time that animals may not graze, or hay cannot be mowed. READ THE LABEL! 
More importantly, before you go killing crabgrass in your pasture, WHAT are you going to graze during the summer? Crabgrass is a great solution. The crude protein can be up to 21% and a total digestible nutrient levels of up to 64%. We've been thankful for it and the Johnsongrass this summer! 

NC Angus Field Day

Register now for the NCAA's Fall Field Day on August 29th at the NC State University E. Carroll Joyner Beef Unit in Raleigh, NC.  The event is being graciously sponsored by Piedmont Custom Meats. There are great interactive, hands-on educational sessions planned and lunch sponsored by the Biltmore Company.  Click the link below to register by August 21st.  There is no registration fee, but we do ask that you register to give us an accurate number for lunch.  We hope to see you there!

Virginia Tech Field Days and Sales

1. The 51st Annual Virginia Performance Tested Ram Sale, Ewe Lamb Sale, and Sheep Field Day will be held Sat, Aug 22 at the Shenandoah Valley AREC near Raphine, VA. The field day educational program will precede the sale at 10:30 AM. Ram and ewe lamb sale starts at 1 pm, with online bidding available. Videos and catalog available Virginia Sheep Producers Assoc website   http://www.vasheepproducers.com/ or VT Sheep Extension site  https://sas.vt.edu/extension/vtsheep/va-ram-test.html
2. The Virginia Tech Sheep Center will be hosting our 27^th annual Production Sale. This year’s sale will be online on Tuesday, September 8. They are offering Suffolk and Dorset ram lambs and ewe lambs.  Additional information can be found on our web page https://sas.vt.edu/facilities/copenhaver-sheep-center.html and the sale site is available here https://plauctions.live/auction/33708
3. On Friday, Sept 25 VT will be hosting a Sheep Field Day and Forage-based Ram Sale at the Southwest AREC at Glade Spring, VA. This forage-based hair sheep ram performance test includes evaluation of parasite resistance. The educational program will center around this activity, and the top end of the rams will be sold. The Field Day will begin at noon with sale to follow. More details are available on the VT Sheep Extension site https://sas.vt.edu/extension/vtsheep/swarec-ram-test.html

Poultry Processing Demonstration, September 2, NCSU

At this time, we do NOT have a Fall Poultry Processing workshop planned in Stokes County. Below is a training opportunity in Raleigh at the NC State Poultry Unit. It will be held on Wednesday, September 2 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You can register by clicking this link..

Other tentative N.C. Cooperative Extension trainings this fall include:

• October 3, Watuaga County

• October 9, Orange County

• November 4, Cleveland County

• November 18, Randolph County

An Extension training is required in order to rent the Stokes Mobile Poultry Processing Unit.

REMINDERS

Livestock Disaster Lunch 'N Learn Recordings

NC State Extension hosted a three-week drought Management Webinar series. If you missed one, you can view the recordings on the NC State Disaster Page at https://ncdisaster.ces.ncsu.edu/drought-resources/drought-management-webinar-series/. 

• Session 1: Understanding USDA Disaster Relief Programs for Farmers
  

• Session 2: Management & Budgeting: Reducing Livestock Feed Demand

• Session 3: Developing a Feed Supply Plan

To-Do List for Dealing with the Drought

Mexico/Arizona Border Opening for Cattle

Beginning August 24, 2026, USDA will open the Douglas, AZ port of entry to cattle trade, contingent on Mexico's adherence to the Joint Action Plan. Read the full press release here: USDA Announces Phased Reopening of Southern Ports for Livestock Trade | USDA

We don't know what the future holds, but this should increase cattle numbers on feed in the U.S. and may cause calf prices to decrease. Plan accordingly. 

Spotted Lanternfly

The spotted lanternfly has been identified in Stokes County. It's not a huge concern for our pastures/forages, but these invasive pests can do a lot of damage to small fruits, nursery crops, young trees, etc. so we should do our part to trap them, kill them when spotted, and remove tree of heaven (their favorite habitat). Learn more at https://forsyth.ces.ncsu.edu/news/spotted-lanternfly-in-forsyth-county/.  PLEASE report any sightings in Stokes County (along with a photo) by visiting www.ncagr.gov/SLF. 

Stokes County Fair

The 2026 Stokes County Fair book is now online http://stokescountyfair.org/online-fair-book/. Paper copies are also available at all the libraries, and the Extension Center. Livestock entries may be made through the showman.app now through September 1. 

Horse Owner Workshop

The workshop held on Saturday, September 5, 2026 from 10 am to 3 pm, will include lunch. Topics include equine anatomy and saddle fitting, body condition scoring, weighing horses, and evaluating hay. The workshop will take place at the James River Equipment Arena (covered arena) located at the Randolph County Agricultural Center in Asheboro, NC. Learn more and register at https://randolph.ces.ncsu.edu/news/horse-owner-workshop/. 

Forage Tips for August

• Hay is hard to find right now. FSA has some Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) funding to help cover hauling costs between 25 and 1,000 miles. Inventory your hay storage. Purchase hay before “hay feeding season” starts to ensure you have an ample supply. Reach out if you need help estimating your hay needs.

• Test hay and silage for forage quality (especially if it's been fertilized with manure - nitrates could be high) (we have a core sampler here that you may borrow for testing)

• Stop grazing those cool-season forage (Fescue, orchardgrass, etc. ) paddocks that will be stockpiled for grazing in November or December.

  • Graze your Johnsongrass, Crabgrass, or even feed hay in a dry lot.

  • Clean up any pastures of weeds, seedheads, etc. before stock-piling. 

• Soil test forage pastures every 3 years (before Thanksgiving when the price ^$5)

• Order seeds for fall re-seeding if you haven't already

• Crops to plant in late August include turnips, rape, crimson clover 

Cattle Referendum

Did you know that every time you remit your dollars to the National Beef Checkoff and NC Cattle Assessment, you help build capacity for local meat? These funds support programs that help local beef producers succeed, including education, tools, and promotion.

• Reaching NC Beef Consumers Through MeatSuite:  MeatSuite.com 

• Supporting Local Education and Training 

• Photos and Videos: Producer Portal.

• Cuts and Recipes: beefitswhatsfordinner.com.

NCCA offers funding opportunities to support producers, including grants and sponsorships for workshops and trainings like Beef Quality Assurance programming, as well as academic scholarships. The $1/head NC Cattle Assessment also supports promotion, education, youth, research, and leg. Use this form to remit your dollars and continue supporting these efforts. 

NC State Fair Farm Family of the Day

The N.C. State Fair will recognize 11 farm families during the fair this year, Oct. 15-25 through the Farm Family of the Day program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company. Nominations and applications are being accepted now through August 21. Applications can be found online at https://www.ncagr.gov/2026-farm-family-day-nomination-form/open. 

Slow Moving Vehicle Signs

Have you seen the bright orange triangles with a red border on the back of a tractor, a piece of farm equipment, or another slow-moving vehicle? This is the Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) sign. It indicates that the vehicle in front of you is traveling at a slow rate of speed and/or could be a wide load. It is illegal to use these signs as driveway markers, mailbox post markers, etc. Read more at

https://stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/news/slow-moving-vehicle-signs/

Meat Quality: from Pasture to Plate

This intensive workshop on Wednesday, August 26, from 8-5 at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Randolph County Center, 1880 US Hwy 64E, Asheboro. It's full day of classroom instruction led by Dr. Jennifer Martin from Colorado State University and some of the field's top experts in nutrition, meat quality, and marketing. Learn how farm management and nutrition decision directly impact product quality. This workshop focuses on pork and lamb, but may be beneficial to other species. 

This NC Choices’ training is part of the Meat Summit's national effort to strengthen local meat systems through focused supply chain conferences and summits. 

New World Screwworm

Continue to monitor www.screwworm.gov to learn more about the screwworm, see the infected areas, and more. Another good source of information is https://cvm.ncsu.edu/news/new-world-screwworm-in-the-u-s-what-it-means-for-north-carolina/. If you suspect an outbreak of the New World Screwworm on your farm, your local veterinarian is your fastest resource. Again, it's critical to have an established relationship with a veterinarian, prior to actually needing one!  If you can't reach your local vet., North Carolina farmers can call NCDA&CS Veterinary Division at (919) 707-3250. You can join the NCDA&CS email list here: Sign up to receive animal disease emails.

NC Hay Finder

With the current drought conditions throughout the state, now is a good time to list any hay resources for sale on the free NCHayfinder website. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about NCHayfinder.com

Livestock Rescue Training

• September 12 - Scenario Saturday: Applying Your Large Animal Rescue Skills, Northwoods Stable, Winston-Salem; This course focuses on applying large animal rescue techniques and skills. LAR scenarios may include, but are not limited to the following: ropes, knots and mechanical advantage concepts; lifting; dragging; extracting from enclosed areas; and applying LAR equipment & tools.

Annual Forage and Livestock Webinar Series

August 19, 3-4 pm EST
Soil carbon and nitrogen in forage and grazing lands across North Carolina.Speaker: Dr. Alan Franzluebbers: USDA-ARS (registration link).

September 17, 3-4 pm EST
Strategies for weed management in tall fescue pastures.Speaker: Dr. Navdeep Godara, Crop & Soil Sciences, NC State University (registration link)

October 1, 3-4 pm EST
Considerations for establishing an optimal breeding and calving season in North Carolina.Speaker: Dr. Felipe Silva, Animal Sciences, NC State University (registration link)

Livestock Shows

Visit a list of upcoming dates and some important information for livestock shows. 

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Calendar of Livestock Events

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

Now - Sept. 15 Enter livestock in the NC State Fair

Aug. 19 Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Forage and Grazing Lands Zoom, 3-4 PM

Aug. 21 NC Angus Association Field Day, NC State Beef Unit

Aug. 22 Virginia Performance Tested Ram and Ewe Sale (1 PM), and Sheep Field Day (10:30 AM), Raphine, VA

Aug. 24 Patrick Co. Feeder Calf Tel-O-Auction

Aug.(25) 26 Pasture to Plate: Meat Quality, Asheboro, NC

Aug. 29 Fall Field Day, NC Angus Association, NCSU E. Carroll Joyner Beef Education Unit, Raleigh

Sept. 1 Stokes County Fair Livestock Entries due

Sept. 1 Carolina Classic Fair Livestock Entries due

Sept. 5 Horse Owner Workshop, Asheboro, 10-3

Sept. 6-12 Mountain State Fair 

Sept. 7 Office Closed for Labor Day

Sept. 8 Virginia Tech Sheep Production Sale, Blacksburg, VA

Sept. 10 Stokes County Cattlemen's Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 Scenario Saturday: Applying Your Large Animal Rescue Skills, 8 AM-4 PM, Northwoods Stable, Winston-Salem

Sept. 15 Final day to enter NC State Fair Livestock Shows

Sept. 15-19 Stokes County Fair

Sept. 17 Strategies for Weed Management in Tall Fescue Pastures Zoom, 3-4 PM

Sept. 25 Sheep Field Day and Forage-Based Ram Sale, Glade Spring, VA, Noon

Sept. 29 AgVentures Grant Overview (Save the Date), 7 p.m., Virtual

Oct. 1 Considerations for Establishing an Optimal Breeding and Calving Season in NC Zoom, 3-4 PM

Oct. 2-11 Carolina Classic Fair

Oct. 8 AgVentures Grant Overview (Save the Date), 12 p.m., Virtual (attend only one)

Oct. 8 Stokes County Cattlemen's Meeting, 6:30 p.m. (Tentative due to Carolina Classic Fair)

Oct. 15-25 NC State Fair

Nov. 9 AgVentures Grant Overview (Save the Date), 6:30 p.m., Virtual (attend only one)

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

Dec. 10 Stokes County Cattlemen's Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

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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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