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

September 1, 2026

Stokes County Livestock Producer Social

Join us on Thursday, September 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Stokes County Cooperative Extension office at 700 Main Street, Danbury (behind Riverstreet). We will have a discussion about the effects of the drought and drought recovery, as well as a "meat" and greet to get to know others in the county who are raising livestock. A meal will be served for those who RSVP by Tuesday, September 8th at noon. The cost is TBD, but approximately $10 per person. 

Shared Needles/Quality Assurance

Beef Quality Assurance protocol tells us that we should change needles on vaccines/injections every ten head because the needle will become dull. However, needles are fairly cheap and it is advisable to consider changing them EVERY time. Asian Longhorned Ticks are prevalent in Stokes County. They can feed on sheep, goats, dogs, cats, horses, cattle, chickens, wildlife, etc., as well as people. and they can spread a blood born disease called "Theileria orientalis, a protozoan parasite that infects red and white blood cells, causing anemia, and in severe cases, death." Once an animal is infected, it's a carrier and that disease can be spread through shared needles, sucking louse, etc. Learn more about theileria here.  

Fall Calving Tips

If cows were not vaccinated pre-breeding for:

• BVD: Bovine Viral Diarrhea

• IBR: Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis

• BRSV: Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus

• PI3: Parainfluenza-3

then your calves will not have immunity. Additionally, if you DID vaccinate your cows, but calves do not receive colostrum from their dam, then they won't receive that immunity. These calves will need to be vaccinated ASAP.

Prior to weaning, calves should receive their own vaccinations for BVD, IBR, BRSV, PI3, as the immunity from the dam's colostrum will begin to wane. They will also need an additional booster shot. Follow the drug label for the time frame between the initial and booster shots. 

NC State University also recommends providing a clostridial vaccination at 2-3 months of age, followed by a booster at six months, as well as a tetanus vaccination (particularly for bull calves being castrated). 

If you are feeding colostrum, note the difference between colostrum replacer (for babies that aren't nursing mom) and a colostrum supplement (for a baby that is nursing mom, but may need additional colostrum). 

Consult your veterinarian for specific recommendations for your herd. If you don't have an established Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) with a licensed veterinarian, we recommend establishing one ASAP.  Antibiotics are prescription only and a VCPR is required. Visit https://go.ncsu.edu/livestockvet for a list of veterinarians. 

Bull Breeding Soundness Exams

One of the most cost-effective things we can do as cattle producers is to do a breeding soundness exam (BSE) on our bull, annually. "A successful calving season depends on a successful breeding season. But that won’t happen if the bulls are firing blanks." If a bull can't perform his job, then you could potentially lose an entire calf crop, or have a reduced crop, which results in lost income. Bulls can appear healthy, but still have internal reproductive issues that we can't see.

Join us on Saturday, November 14 at South Stokes High School Covered Agricultural Handling Facility for a Bull Breeding Soundess Exam (BSE). Exams will be conducted by Drs. Martin and Flanagan of Animal Clinic of Madison-Mayodan. The cost is $55 per bull. Call or text for an appointment slot 336-427-0271. 

Hay Contests

NC State Fair online entry and hay sample submission to the NCDA analysis are both due Sept 15.  A "block" of hay has to arrive at the fairgrounds by 10 am on Oct 14 for the visual appraisal portion. Entries will be accepted at the Jim Graham Building Oct 12-14 9am-3pm or contact April Bowman to discuss delivery options. Entry Details can be found 2026 State Fair Forage Contest. First place price is $55! Best of Show is $50.

• Alfalfa

• Fescue

• Orchardgrass

• Other Legumes

• Grass-Legume Mixture

• Other Warm Season Grass

• Small Grains

• Other Cool Season Grasses

• Mixed Cool Season

Carolina Classic Fair  (click on Agronomy) - Hay exhibit should be a twelve inch (12”) thick wafer of “block” taken from an actual rectangular bale of field-cured hay. It is permissible to enter hay that has received preservatives or drying agents. Silage exhibit should be taken from a conventional silo after a minimum of three (3) weeks storage and tightly packed into a wide mouth clear glass jar and sealed with a lid. Preservatives are permissible. First place = $18 

• Orchard Grass Hay 

• Fescue Hay 

• Lespedeza, Clover, or Oats 

• Alfalfa Hay 

• Legume or Grass Mixture 

• Other (Soybean, Millet, Sorgum/Sudangrass, etc.) 

• Silage or Haylage 

Stokes County Fair - Bales must be 12" long. Chairman: Harvey Boyles;336-325-2987. All exhibits must be entered between 9AM to 7PM Monday, Sept 14. All prize money, exhibits, and ribbons for Horticulture must be picked up in the horticulture department between 1:30 PM and 4 PM on Sunday, September 20. Premiums not claimed within 30 days will be forfeited.

• Alfalfa

• Clover

• Grass

• Orchardgrass

• Sorghum-Sudan

• Soybean

• Oat

NC Agventures

The NC AgVentures Farm Grant Program is an NC State Extension grant program that provides grants to NC family farms and local nonprofit community organizations to develop agricultural projects that increase farm profits. Funding is provided by the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. NC AgVentures Farm Grant is a competitive grant based on the merits of an application.  There will be a grant overview held via Zoom on Tuesday, September 29 at 7 pm. Register prior to receive the Zoom link. Learn more at https://stokes.ces.ncsu.edu/news/nc-agventures-grants/.

NC Simmental Association

The NC Simmental Association is having their annual meeting on Friday, September 4 the Shuffler Farms Sale Facility in Union Grove, followed by the 52nd Annual Fall Harvest Sale on Saturday. Visit https://www.ncsimmental.com/fall-harvest-sale

Friday, September 4, 2026, Annual Meeting & Banquet

3:00 PM - Board of Directors Meeting
5:00-6:00 PM - Social Hour
6:00 PM - Banquet Begins
7:00 PM - Annual business meeting & auction benefiting NC Simmental & Junior Simmental Associations

Saturday, September 5, 2026, 52nd Annual Fall Harvest Sale
8:00 AM - Cattle on display
11:30 AM - Lunch available
1:00 PM - North Carolina Fall Harvest Sale begins!

Forage Tips for September

• Weed Control: spray perennial weeds like Milkweed, multiflora rose, or red sorrel (wait until October to spray your Thistles)

• Soil test

• Continue to stockpile any excess cool-season forage

• Plant crimson clover, oats, orchardgrass, ryegrass, triticale, or tall fescue in September. Visit https://apps.ces.ncsu.edu/forages-planting-guide/ for additional planting information. 

Beef Cattle Dewormers

I recently found a dewormer chart that names common cattle dewormers, the active ingredient, and lists what types of worms/parasite it treats, any indications, dosage, withdrawal and administration route. 

Nine Winter Care Tips for Equine

• The days are getting shorter, and we will soon be feeding in the dark again. Inspect your lights and wiring for any damage now.

• Spend some time now trying to freeze-proof your water and develop a backup plan for how to water when the power is off. For a three-day supply, that's 30 gallons of water per horse.

• If you use blankets (I will admit, that's not my favorite warming tip), ensure that they are in good condition.

• Check your own winter clothing. 

• It seems that we are having rain less often, with larger amounts, which has resulted in flooding. Look at topo maps and determine the highest point on your property. Consider building a mound that's above flood level. 

• Check your gutters and downspouts on your barn (especially this fall to ensure they aren't clogged with leaves). 

• Consider bringing in rock or sand for any heavy-use areas. 

https://www.alltech.com/blog/9-tips-how-care-horses-winter

REMINDERS

Virginia Tech Field Days and Sales

1. 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
2. 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 Demonstrations

At this time, we do NOT have a Fall Poultry Processing workshop planned in Stokes County. 

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.

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/. 

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

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

Sept. 1 Stokes County Fair Livestock Entries due

Sept. 1 Carolina Classic Fair Livestock Entries due

Sept. 4 NC Simmental Annual Meeting, Union Grove

Sept. 5 52nd Annual Fall Harvest Cattle Sale, Union Grove

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. 12 NC Hereford Association Field Day, Shelby

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 NC Agventures Grant Portal Opens

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., Trailer & Hauling Safety; Sponsor Carolina Trailer Sales

Nov. 14 Bull BSE Exams, South Stokes High School

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

Dec. 15 FINAL NC Agventures Grant Deadline (or whenever they receive 200 applications)

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