NC Cooperative Extension Updates

February 10, 2016 Agriculture

TOBACCO FLOAT BED WATER SAMPLES
It’s time to submit water samples for your tobacco greenhouse float beds! The Vance/Warren offices of Cooperative Extension can deliver those samples for you, but please note the following:
  • Call in advance so we can schedule the delivery. It’s critical that samples be delivered in a timely fashion, preferably within 24 hours of collection.
  • Bring payment in form of check or money order ($5 per sample).
  • For more info., visit this site.
PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CLASSES
Don’t forget to double check the recertification date on your pesticide license. If your three year cycle ends this year, get your credits by Sept 30. Give us a call to check your status. Below are opportunities to get category V credits, please call to register (X credit dates also available, call for details):
  • Feb 11, 6:30-8:30 pm, Warren County Extension Center
  • Feb 22, 5-7 pm, Granville County Extension Center
  • Mar 3, 9-11 am, Vance County Extension Center (NEW LOCATION)
  • Mar 15, 9-11 am, Franklin County Extension Center
  • Mar 22, 6:30-8:30 pm, Franklin County Extension Center
RESPIRATOR FIT TESTING
If you use certain fumigants that require access to a respirator, you need to be fit-tested on an annual basis. We have a fit-test event scheduled for Feb 16 at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, but appointments are REQUIRED! Please call by noon on Friday, 2/12 to make yours.

VANCE COUNTY SMALL FARMS WEEK KICKOFF
Hold the date! On March 21st, Vance County will host a kickoff event for the statewide Small Farms Week, sponsored by NC A&T State University. The day will consist of informative speakers, a delicious lunch, and farm tours. Details soon!
FRANKLIN COUNTY SMALL FARMS CONFERENCE
Don’t miss this unique learning opportunity! Get all the details at:

PERSON COUNTY SPECIALTY CROPS SCHOOL
Another great conference you don’t want to miss! Details here:

CALVING SEASON-TIPS FOR PULLING CALVES
Whether you’re a seasoned cattleman, or a beginning producer, calving season is rewarding, but also stressful. When assisting in calving, there are three things to remember: 1) Keep it clean – Disinfect chains, calf jacks, and your hands and arms. Bacterial infections can lower conception rates next breeding season. 2) Have lubricant handy – Obstetrical lube is recommended by Veterinarians, but Vaseline works just as good. 3) Pull with contractions, and pull out and down – Pulling at unnatural angles or jerking at the calf can cause cervical lacerations and tears. Especially if the head and shoulders of the calf are stuck. For more information about calving, and tips for assisting, check out the following link: http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G2007
 

A NOTE ABOUT TIMELY WEED CONTROL
At this year’s Soybean/Grain Production meeting, Dr. Wes Everman presented some information that underscores the importance of timely herbicide applications and weed scouting in your soybean crop. Late applications will result in decreased levels of control and, more importantly, may contribute to the continued development of herbicide resistant weeds. While it may seem like it would be a simple matter of switching to different products, keep in mind that all the soybean herbicides fall into one of three or four groups. If a weed develops resistance to one herbicide in a particular group, it is likely to have resistance to ALL herbicides in that group. With the years-long lead time it takes to release new herbicide chemistry, farmers should do all they can to preserve the effectiveness of the tools we currently have available. And the best way to do that is timely herbicide applications.
Paul McKenzie, 252-438-8188 or paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu
Kelsey Lichtenwalner, 252-257-3640 or krlichte@ncsu.edu
CategoriesAgriculture