July Newsletter - Burke County

FUN in the SUN!

Our relationship with the sun is complex. The sun provides us with Vitamin D, a much-needed nutrient that assists in calcium absorption, which helps prevent diseases like osteoporosis by strengthening our bones. Moderate sun exposure has been proven to enhance our moods, improve our quality of sleep, and decrease stress.

An online search for information about sunscreen probably made you feel less than sunny about coating you and your family with these lotions and creams. Dr. Jennifer Lin, as assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, and N.C. Cooperative Extension urges the public to not let myths deter you from protecting your skin.

Read More...

NCDA&CS finds spotted lanternfly in Forsyth County
First established presence of the pest in the state

Residents are asked to be on the watch for this destructive pest after an established presence has been found for the first time in the state. Below, the spotted lanternfly shown in the third instar of its life cycle. An adult spotted lanternfly is pictured above. Residents could find the insect in either stage of the life cycle now, but in coming weeks only the adult spotted lanternfly could be present up until frost.

Read more...

Consumer Horticulture Extension Agent

The agent in this position will provide leadership for the horticulture programs in Burke County for all consumers and some commercial horticulture programs. This position also provides training and support for the Extension Master Gardener program in Burke County. The agent will provide relevant educational programming and training, as well as proactively conduct needs assessments and program evaluations for the county.

Starting July 1, apply at:
https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/165994

Catalpa Worms

Finally, a Burke County insect has been spotted that has a practical use! I had the first catalpa worm call of the summer today from a new resident of our county. He was horrified as he described a tree in his yard that was being devoured by huge green and black caterpillars. He didn’t know the name of the tree but when he described the heart shaped leaves I knew he had himself a catalpa tree or catawba tree as it is also called. As a child I used to think the tree came from the next county over because of its name and I always wondered how it got here. But, I was taught at an early age that it was a valuable tree that any fisherman would love to have in his own yard.

The catalpa tree (Catalpa bignoniodes) is native to the southern U.S. and is a nice ornamental with large, heart shaped leaves. The catalpa worm shows up in mid-summer and can only be found on the catalpa tree. It is the larva of the sphinx moth and as it eats the catalpa leaves it can grow to 5-6 inches. Normally, the tree can be completely defoliated without causing harm and new leaves regrow. Later in the season the tree produces long, narrow bean pods. You can stand under an infested tree and hear the caterpillars chomping away.

Fishermen value the worm for catching bass and catfish and the worm can be cut in to pieces when fishing for smaller fish such as blue gills or perch. But what is really amazing about the catalpa worm or catawba worm is that it can be frozen and used later on. My Uncle Jim used to pay us kids to pick the worms and bring them to him. He would then mix them with cornmeal and put them in plastic bags and freeze them to use throughout the year. He would occasionally put them in ice cube trays and freeze them in water and pull some “worm cubes” out to thaw as he started out to the river on an early-morning fishing trip. Can you just imagine how intriguing that was to us as we stood on the riverbank and fished on those early summer mornings. Then, we would take our catch home and my Grandma would fry them for breakfast. Those were magical days!

So, if you’re a fisherman its time to go fishing and even if you’re not, I hope you can appreciate the memories that the catalpa worm brings back to me of the endless summer days of my southern childhood with my favorite uncle. Does anybody want to go fishing?

Strategies for Drought

During the latter part of spring, Burke County has experienced reduced rainfall and above average temperatures, reducing the amount of pasture available for grazing as well as hay production. This has created problems for many cow-calf producers. Producers should evaluate their individual situation and develop a plan to deal with the drought.

Determine the available feed supply and the feed requirements? Compare the feed requirements to the available feed supply. If feed is limited, management decisions must be made.

Consider early weaning of calves, which reduces the quality and amount of feed needed by brood cows. Calves as young as 4 months of age can be weaned and fed a palatable ration of 12 to 14 percent crude protein. Selectively market calves. Older, heavier calves should be sold first. Younger, lighter-weight calves consume less feed and are more efficient in feed utilization.

Culling cows will stretch the feed supply. Open cows, old cows, and those that have physical problems are candidates for culling. Reducing numbers will reduce the amount of pasture and hay needed, leaving a little extra feed for the remaining herd. Receipts from marketing could also be used to purchase feed for the remaining cattle.

Store harvested hay to keep losses at a minimum. Storage procedures that reduce losses are even more important during times of limited forage supply.

Not to be pessimistic about the drought situation, but it is always a good idea to plan for the worst and hope for the best. Hopefully, the later summer and early fall will be more favorable for forage growth to support cattle production.