Monday, January 14, 2008

Multiflora Rose Control Cost Share Extends Deadline

The Watauga Multiflora Rose Committee has decided to extend the deadline for application to the Watauga Multiflora Rose Control Program to March 1, 2008. This deadline extension will provide an opportunity for landowners and operators to control the noxious weed that is over taking farmland in Watauga County.

The Watauga Multiflora Rose Control Program is designed as a cost share program to help offset the expense accrued in reclaiming grassland. Applications must be for land that is in Watauga County, however landowners/operators do not have to live in Watauga to get funding. First priority will be given to land currently used as farm land (grazing, hay fields, Christmas trees, nurseries, horticulture, etc), however property owners who do not own farmland are still encouraged to apply.

Applicants for the program must be willing to reclaim land after suppressing stands of Multiflora Rose in a ground cover of their choice (grass, Christmas trees, timber, etc).

Persons interested in the program or wanting more information should contact the Watauga Cooperative Extension Office, 828.264.3061, for an application. The Watauga Multiflora Rose Control Program is a joint effort with the Watauga Board of County Commissioners, Cooperative Extension, Watauga Farm Bureau, Soil & Water Conservation, Natural Resource Conservation Service and USDA Farm Service Agency.

2008 VA & NC Grasslands Council Conferences

Building Robust Grazing Systems: Drought Proofing Your Pastures

January 23, 2008
Southern Livestock Center
Oxford, NC

1:00 pm Registration

1:30 pm Managing Pastures for Drought-Sue Ellen Johnson, NCSU and Chris Teutsch, Southern Piedmont AREC

2:15 pm Forage Species for Robust Grazing Systems-Ben Tracy, Virginia Tech Break and visit sponsors

3:00 pm Break and visit with sponsors

3:30 pm Stocking Rate: Getting it Right- Ed Rayburn, WVU

4:15 pm Drought Tolerant Grazing Systems for Grass Finished Beef-Mac Baldwin, Baldwin Family Farms, Yanceyville, NC

5:00 pm Grazing Lands Conservation- Lane Price, Assistant State Conservationist for Technology, NRCS, Raleigh, NC

5:15 pm Cost Effective Watering Systems- Jim Green, Professor Emeritus NCSU.

5:30 pm Dinner and visit sponsors

6:30 pm Cost Effective Fencing Systems-Lewis Sapp, Stay Tuff Fence Manufacturing, Winston-Salem, NC

6:50 pm Conserved Forage, Crop Residues, and Byproducts as a Component of Drought Management Strategy-Matt Poore, NCSU

7:30 pm Complete survey and adjourn

If you plan on attending, please contact Kim Burge, 919-552-9111 or e-mail Kim@nccattle.com

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Emergency Hay Supplies Available

The NCDA has announced that emergency hay supplies are currently in transit to North Carolina and are available for pick up at six locations (for a complete list of pickup sites, please click here). Large and small square bales are available. Large square bales measure 3' x 3' x 8', weight around 800 pounds and are $60 per bale. Prices for small square bales have not yet been announced. Individuals purchasing bales are limited to 4 large bales or 20 small bales per day, however limits may be adjusted based on supply and demand. The closest pickup location to Watauga is the Upper Mountain Research Station in Laurel Springs. To contact UMRS, please call (336) 982-2501.