Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
March 13, 2008 issue
In 2007, North Carolina faced what many are calling the most significant drought in state history. Many mountain counties were hit the hardest, with livestock producers seeing grazing pasture loss and a 40 to 50 percent reduction in hay cutting. Many producers were forced to sell animals because of the lack of winter forage. Most farmers also paid inflated prices for hay and grain byproduct supplements to sustain their animals through the winter months.
To prepare for the possibility of the La Niña drought continuing in 2008, livestock producers should look at overseeding or establishing pastures of drought-tolerant warm-season grasses to extend summer grazing and to garner higher hay yields.
The Mountain Forage Field Day on Friday, March 28, is an opportunity for livestock producers to learn about warm-season grass options, as well as developing and maintaining grass stands and developing a grazing plan to extend grazing without damaging pastures.
Area livestock producers are encouraged to attend the Mountain Forage Field Day at the Upper Mountain Research Station in Laurel Springs. There is no cost for registration, and door prizes—hi-mag minerals, baling twine, grass seed—will be given away throughout the program. Lunch will be provided at no charge to attendees.
To reserve a seat—a head count is necessary for lunch—or for more info, call Callie Birdsell, Watauga County livestock agent, at 828-264-3061.
Date: Friday, March 28
Time: Begins at 8:30 a.m.
Location: Upper Mountain Research Station, Laurel Springs
Cost: Free
High Country livestock producers are invited to attend a free program at the Upper Mountain Research Station in Laurel Springs on Friday, March 28, focused on extending summer grazing and obtaining higher hay yields in drought conditions. The day’s schedule is as follows:
8:30 to 9:00 a.m.—Registration
9:00 to 9:15 a.m.—Welcome and Introductions
9:15 to 10:00 a.m.—Establishing Grass Stands, Lynn Howard, NCDA&CS
10:00 to 10:30 a.m.—Pasture Maintenance, Callie Birdsell, NC CES
10:30 to 10:45 a.m.—Break and Door Prizes
10:45 to 11:15 a.m.—Native Warm Season Grasses, Brian Chatham, S&WCD
11:15 to 11:45 a.m.—Warm Season Grasses, Dr. Sue Ellen Johnson, NCSU
11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.—Developing a Grazing Plan, Dr. Matt Poore, NCSU
12:30 to 1:00 p.m.—Lunch (Sponsored by UAP) and Door Prizes
1:30 to 1:45 p.m.—Cost Share and Equip Programs, David Tucker & Brian Chatham
1:45 to 2:00 p.m.—Warm Season Grasses and Wildlife Habitats, Patrick Ferrell, WCD
2:00 to ?—Travel to On-Farm Demonstrations of Pasture Renovation and No-Till Drill Equipment