Tall Fescue is the most common cool-season forage in the eastern US, and much of it is infected with a toxic fungus that lives in the plant (called the “endophyte”).  There are many solutions to the problem of toxic fescue, but none better than killing out old stands and planting an exciting new type of tall fescue called “Novel Endophyte Infected”.  There are a number of varieties of good tall fescue that are intentionally infected with a new kind of fungus that helps the plant but does not hurt the animals that eat it.  It is one of the most amazing stories in nature!

Old Kentucky-31 tall fescue pastures that were established many decades ago and that are not as productive as they used to be should be aggressively renovated, in most cases by killing the old fescue and replacing it with a Novel Endophyte Variety.  This will improve both total forage yield, cattle weight gain, and breeding rates.  The renovation can be done either using a summer smother crop (called “spray-smother-spray”) or just following two consecutive glyphosate treatments (called “spray-wait-spray”).  Both of these methods have been proven to work through university research and experience, but for either you need to make sure the fescue does not make mature seed that could come back the following year and re-infest the field.

So, if you have seen how fescue hurts your cows this time of year and have a mind to do something about it, start by not letting any of your fields with toxic tall fescue make mature seed this spring.  You can graze and then clip it, or take a cutting of hay.  Getting rid of the seedheads before they make mature seed will in itself help you reduce the effects of fescue toxicosis, so you will be paid back immediately for doing that.  Longer-term, getting those seedheads clipped off before they set mature seed will set you up for a successful renovation.

Cutting hay at the early to mid-bloom stage will nearly eliminate seed production in tall fescue

The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is a national organization focused on enhancing the appropriate adoption of Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Technology through education, incentives, self-regulation and promotion.  To learn more about the Alliance and Tall Fescue Pasture Renovation go to www.grasslandrenewal.org

Extension forage specialists and agents across the Southeast region would like your help in gathering information on hay harvest methods and time required for harvesting hay. The information collected through this simple multiple-choice survey is to help develop more effective forage educational programs.

Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey, and we look forward to your insightful responses. You can also contact your local county Extension agent for a paper copy of the survey.

Complete the survey here

July 25 @ 9:00am – 4:45pm | $25

Silvopasture, the intentional practice of integrating forages, animals and trees, is one type of agroforestry with potential to improve ecosystem responses and provide multiple sources of farm income.

Are you interested in successfully transitioning or starting a silvopasture system? Join us for a workshop, field day, and on-farm instruction including the latest silvopasture research from North Carolina and Virginia.

Plus, learn about a new NC Choices USDA project aimed at connecting beginning livestock producers with silvopasture and other land opportunities across the state.

Registration, Agenda, and Event Details HERE

Pasture-based livestock producers within eligible counties with damage to standing forage as a result of Hurricane Florence and/or Tropical Storm Michael are eligible for the Hurricane Florence Agricultural Disaster Program of 2018.  Applications are being taken until December 10th for the program.  All crops are covered under the program including forages standing  in hay fields and pasture for grazing livestock.  The program does not cover loss of hay that was already harvested, but rather covers any forage that was standing in the field at the time of the storm.  To be eligible for the program the farmer needs to start their application prior to December 10, but will have time after that to complete the application process.  To complete the process they will need to have a USDA FSA 578 form which is the standard crop acreage report.  Farmers with only grazing livestock often do not file an annual 578 form.  In that case FSA will allow for a late filing of the report with a small (usually less than $50) late fee.  To start your application you can go to the website: https://www.ncagr.gov/agriculturaldisasterprogram/ or contact your local extension office for assistance.

Eligible counties as of December 6, 2018 include:  Alamance, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery*, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Cabarrus, Carteret, Caswell, Chatham, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Dare, Davidson, Davie*, Durham, Duplin, Forsyth*, Franklin*, Granville, Greene, Guilford, Harnett, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Madison, McDowell, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Person, Pitt, Polk, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham*, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes*, Surry*, Tyrrell, Union, Vance*, Wake*, Warren*, Washington*, Watauga*, Wayne, Wilson, Yadkin*, Yancey

* Means disaster declaration is pending.  Producers in these pending counties are encouraged to apply.

Hay and Pasture crops eligible for the Hurricane Florence Agriclutural Disaster Program of 2018.

Position Announcement: Poultry Plant Manager

The ISAMPA Board is working to reopen the poultry plant in Marion, NC to serve independent poultry producers in the region. Foothills Processing is actively seeking a manager to coordinate the resumption of operations and is accepting applications for the position. The following are a sample of the job tasks and functions:

• Supervise and manage the reopening of the plant and communicate with stakeholders
• Restore equipment to functioning state
• Repair any leaks in water system
• Restore water service
• Trial poultry processing line
• Update USDA inspection registration
• Staff plant sufficient to resume operations

Desirable qualities include: good communicator, effective manager, construction expertise, self-starter and strong initiative, financially savvy and creative problem-solver. This person would report to the leadership of Foothills Processing, LLC, the new company managing the plant. This is a contract position with opportunity for membership. Candidates should email resume, letter of interest and hourly contract rate to foothillsprocessing@gmail.com. No calls, please.

Thanks,

ISAMPA and Foothills Processing, LLC

Raleigh, NC:  The Center for Environmental Farming Systems is strengthening its capacity to serve North Carolina livestock producers by expanding its Amazing Grazing and NC Choices teams.

Johnny Rogers will be Amazing Grazing’s new coordinator.  Based at CEFS’ Pasture-Based Beef Unit, Amazing Grazing is a statewide educational initiative that helps producers understand the benefits and management of pasture-based livestock systems through workshops, research, and demonstration projects.  Rogers has a Master of Science degree from NCSU in Animal Science and received his Bachelor degree from the University of Tennessee.  He has worked in industry as a feed company beef specialist and as a farmer, and he currently serves on the National Board of the Red Angus Association of America.  He has production experience with Beef Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Pastured Poultry and Outdoor Swine.

“Johnny’s credibility with the audience, his ability to communicate with both producers and scientists, and his wealth of experience and relationships across the industry all point to a bright future for Amazing Grazing,” said Amazing Grazing Program Director Matt Poore.

Asher Wright will be NC Choices’ new coordinator.  NC Choices promotes the advancement of local, niche and pasture-based meat supply chains in North Carolina by facilitating educational and networking opportunities, providing technical assistance, navigating the regulatory environment, and developing market opportunities to enhance access to pasture-based meats.  Wright has a Master of Science degree in Animal Science from Clemson University, where he researched forage finished beef and how different forage types, with or without corn supplementation, impacted animal performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. After graduating, Asher managed Rock House Farm, a pasture centered livestock farm in Morganton, NC specializing in heritage breed pork, Wagyu beef, and seasonal lamb and poultry.  He now lives in Asheville.

“We are thrilled to have Asher as a team member of NC Choices and as part of the larger CEFS team.  Asher possesses both a passion for sustainable food systems as well as the technical expertise to help advance local meat production in NC.  He is an asset to NC Choices and we are proud to welcome him aboard,” said Sarah Blacklin, NC Choices Program Manager.

For more information about Amazing Grazing, visit here.

For more information about NC Choices, visit http://ncchoices.ces.ncsu.edu/

Together, the programs will offer meat producers support and resources at every step from pasture management through the processing and marketing of their final product.  “It’s a natural fit,” says NC Choices Coordinator Sarah Blacklin.  “This grant allows us to be intentional and targeted with our efforts.  By collaborating across the supply chain these producers are connected to processors, buyers and key stakeholders to help resource and advance their business needs.”

Many beef producers in North Carolina manage “cow/calf” operations, meaning that they breed and raise the cattle in NC and then send them out-of-state for finishing, slaughter and processing.  However, the growing market for niche meats in the state has some producers considering finishing and selling their cattle here.  “More and more