Stokes County Center
March 2016
Stokes County Center
   Livestock & Forage Newletter
Cattlemen's Association Meeting
We will discuss organizational roles, programming opportunities, local meat sales opportunities, and market trends.  

April 18, 2016 at 6:30pm
Stokes County Extension Building
700 North Main Street
Danbury, NC 27016

RSVP by April 15th to ctmitch4@ncsu.edu or (336) 593-8179 to receive a sponsored meal

Meat/Broiler Chicken Course

If you are in terested in participating in a workshop to learn more about raising meat chickens, please contact me at  ctmitch4@ncsu.edu 
or (336) 593-8179.  
A course will be made available if there is sufficient interest.

Stokes County Extension Center will offer a two-hour workshop in May as a supplement to the Small Flock Owner Workshop being offered at Forsyth County Extension Center on May 11, 2016. You can register for that course at  http://go.ncsu.edu/poultryseminar2016 .  
Fly Season

Due to this past winter's wet and mild conditions, we are expected to have high populations this Spring.  Flies are a problem for all livestock and farmers need to be prepared for the coming onslaught this Spring.  

Supplements that contain an insect growth regulator (IGR) can be given now to prevent maggots from maturing into adults in manure. There are a host of other control options.  Please feel free to contact me at  ctmitch4@ncsu.edu 
or (336) 593-8179
 
to develop a management plan to best suit your needs.
Grass Tetany

The season for grass tetany is approaching.  This condition is produced by a lack of magnesium absorption from rapidly growing grasses.  Grass tetany symptoms include staggering, muscle twitching, and a stiff gait.  Cows with nursing calves are the most susceptible to grass tetany.  Cows may day within a few hours of the first physical signs, so preventative measures are necessary.  

Use Hi-mag blocks to help supplement magnesium levels.  It is recommended that cows receive one ounce of magnesium oxide per day through the Spring. Also, a mineral program is implemented with your cattle to increase herd health and boost weight gain production. Please feel free to contact me at ctmitch4@ncsu.edu 
or (336) 593-8179,
I will gladly provide assistance in developing a plan to meet the needs of your herd.
Herd Health To-do List for Livestock
  1. Vaccinate equine (horses, donkeys, mules) against West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis. Take precautions to minimize standing water where mosquitoes breed.
  2. Feed cattle a COMPLETE mineral mix with Hi-Magnesium to help prevent grass tetany.
  3. Check pastures for toxic plants or trees and treat accordingly.  Repair fences, barns and working facilities to reduce the chance of injury. 
  4. Keep a close eye on ALL livestock grazing lush forage growth for potential problems.
  5. Use good judgment and read the labels when returning livestock to pastures that have been recently fertilized or treated for weeds.
Contact:
Carl Mitchell
Extension Agent, Livestock & Frage Crops
700 N Main Street, Danbury, NC 27016
(336) 593-8179
ctmitch4@ncsu.edu