Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories.
“Local farms prep for below-freezing temps,” WNCT: A local farm is preparing for the below-freezing temperatures expected the next few nights. The owner of Brock’s Berries and Produce said she spent most of the day Thursday covering their homegrown strawberries to make sure they don’t freeze. The Winterville business is protecting its biggest asset. “Strawberries are what bring people to our farm,” said Sue Ellen Brock. “People are coming to pick strawberries for the experience with their children.” Brock said she constantly monitors the forecast. When she sees below freezing temperatures coming, she calls in her employees. …
“Opinion: Johnston County landowners felt railroaded by CSX,” Wilmington Star News: Governor McCrory’s pronouncement that the proposed CSX rail hub in Selma is effectively dead is both good news and bad. Without question this could be a great benefit to our state but the handling of it was not good, especially regarding the use of eminent domain. James Madison is credited with writing the Fifth Amendment to our Constitution, insisting that when private land is “taken” or condemned by eminent domain it was to be used for a public use and that landowners were to receive just compensation. Federal, state and even local governments have historically used that power for projects like roads, public works, buildings, airports and rail lines. What is the definition of “public use?” Over the years governments have expanded eminent domain to include economic development projects, most often in blighted neighborhoods for urban renewal, but in 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Kelo v. City of New London, ruled by a 5-4 vote, that eminent domain’s definition could be expanded for economic development if appreciable benefits, such as new jobs and increased tax revenues would result. …
“North Carolina cotton farmers get online help to choose right varieties,” Southeast Farm Press: North Carolina cotton farmers have an online tool, the North Carolina Cotton Variety Performance Calculator, that will aid them in their cotton variety decision making. The North Carolina Cotton Variety Performance Calculator was developed by North Carolina State University Extension cotton specialists Keith Edmisten and Guy Collins with technical expertise from N.C. State Extension Information Technology. The online calculator is designed to assist producers with evaluating cotton variety performance, based on a range of selection criteria. This online calculator includes multi-year and multi-environment replicated data from the NCSU Official Variety Trials and the North Carolina On-Farm Cotton Variety Evaluation Programs. …
“American company gets green light to build tractors in Cuba,” The News & Observer: A company co-owned by a Raleigh man has gotten the go-ahead from the federal government to build a small farming tractor in Cuba, paving the way for it to become the first American manufacturer to set up shop in the nation since the revolution and the subsequent U.S. trade embargo more than 50 years ago. Cleber LLC plans to build an assembly plant in the Mariel Special Economic Development Zone, an industrial area for foreign companies adjacent to a massive new port west of Havana. There, workers will put together parts made in Alabama for a tractor the company calls the Oggun, after the spirit of metal work in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria. The Oggun is an updated version of the Allis-Chalmers Model G tractor that was introduced in the U.S. in 1948 and discontinued seven years later. The company thinks the small, rear-engine tractor will be coveted by Cuba’s 70,000 non-government farming co-ops and small independent farmers, who now rely on animals and aging Soviet tractors to plow their fields. …
“Asheville winter markets bustle with shoppers, produce,” Asheville Citizen-Times: The indoor farmers tailgate markets continue to be a popular attraction during the winter months. Local produce, meat, cheeses, eggs, apples, specialty food products and more motivate shoppers to flock to winter markets just like tailgate markets in the spring, summer and fall. It’s delightful to discover new vendors and new products at market — and other delicious food to sample and savor. One new vendor is Mooty’s Tomato Chips, who started vending at Asheville City Market in the fall. Mooty’s makes tomato chips: thin tomato slices that have been dehydrated and flavored. They source their tomatoes from local farmers, including Whisperholler Farms. Some of the flavors include Parmigiano, Olive Oil and Herbs, and Green Tomato Hot Salsa. Find Mooty’s Tomato Chips at the indoor Asheville City Market. Green River Picklers — a summer tailgate market favorite — has some new flavors that they are showing off and selling at the indoor Asheville City market. …
“Lamb honored as Outstanding Pork Producer,” Sampson Independent: James “Cookie” Lamb, a hog farmer from Clinton has been honored as the state’s Outstanding Pork Producer by the NC Pork Council. The award, presented Friday at the NC Pork Council’s annual conference, recognizes industry leaders for exceptional management and outstanding contributions to the state’s pork industry. “James has been a strong advocate for North Carolina’s pork industry and a leader on environmental issues,” said Deborah Johnson, chief executive officer of the NC Pork Council. “He has a passion for hog farming that is contagious and has been an outstanding mentor to young farmers across the state.” Lamb grew up on his family farm in Clinton and developed a true love for hog farming while studying at NC State. During a college internship at Prestage Farms, he learned about the various stages of pork production and quickly decided that raising nursery pigs was his favorite aspect. After graduating with a degree in agriculture and environmental technology, Lamb went to work for Prestage Farms and has been an environmental specialist for the company since 2003. He also became a contract grower for Prestage Farms, building a nursery farm on the same 75-acre tract in Clinton where he grew up. He and his family manage the nursery operations, grow corn, soybeans, millet and Bermuda grass, and raise a few cattle. …
“North Carolina’s herbicide, weed problems getting worse,” Southeast Farm Press: Herbicide-resistant weeds continue to pop up in North Carolina and farmers need to be prepared in 2016. Speaking at the 2016 Road Show Production Meeting at the Vernon James Research and Extension Center Jan. 28, Wes Everman, North Carolina Extension weed specialist said herbicide resistant common ragweed and herbicide resistant common water hemp have been confirmed near Elizabeth City. On top of this, herbicide-resistant palmer Amaranth remains a major headache for North Carolina farmers. Everman explained that the ragweed found in 2015 survived PPO inhibitors, ALS inhibitors and glyphosate applied post emergence. “In soybeans, it is a concern,” he said. “In conventional or Roundup Ready soybeans, our post emergence options are gone. You can’t spray glyphosate, ALS inhibitors or any of the PPOs. There are no options if this spreads.” Last year marked the first time herbicide-resistant common water hemp has been confirmed in North Carolina. Everman explained that the weeds survived applications of Synchrony, Cobra and glyphosate. …
“Eastern NC celebrates National Drink Wine Day,” WNCT: Wine lovers rejoice! Thursday, February 18 is National Drink Wine Day! According to the NC Wine Organization, which is part of the NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, there are more than 100 wineries across North Carolina. The East is known for production at several wineries and vineyards. Some of those locations include Duplin Winery in Rose Hill, Bennett Vineyards in Edward, Huffman Vineyards in Richlands, and several others. Most wineries across the East specialize in native muscadine grapes, which thrive along the coast. Click here to learn more about wine produced in North Carolina and its impact on the local economy.
“Event Promotes Industrial Hemp in North Carolina,” WLOS: (Video) North Carolina still has a ways to go when it comes to hemp, despite legislation passed last October. An event at New Mountain Asheville Thursday night focused on what it takes to legalize growing industrial hemp in the mountains. Farmers and experts from across the country who have been farming it for a couple years say the crop could improve farming in North Carolina. Michael Lewis said that as the first farmer to grow industrial hemp legally in the country, he has spent a lot of time defending his crop. Now that North Carolina has reached the next step in forming a pilot program, the conversation has shifted to its uses. “We’re not growing drugs and I think people are starting to understand that,” Michael Lewis, a hemp farmer from Kentucky, said. “There are many uses for hemp. You can get on the Internet and find over 25,000.” Before the cultivation of it can begin, the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association has to raise $200,000 to fund a commission that can create applications. Farmers can’t even grow industrial hemp legally until that’s done. “We’ve been pushing as hard as we can for a few months, and we are at $47,600,” Jeff Cartonia, the executive director of the NC Industrial Hemp Association, said. “Every day that goes by that this commission isn’t funded, and seeds aren’t in our ground, we feel is detrimental.” …