State Veterinarian Dr. Mike Martin urges poultry owners to remain vigilant in protecting their birds after a flock of chickens in Wake County tested positive for high path avian influenza. Martin said it is a reminder that HPAI remains in the wild bird population in...
Today’s Topic on Southern Farm Network
Agriculture on full-display at the N.C. State Fair.
The State Fair has always focused on agricultural education. In the beginning, this was more a farmer-to-farmer exchange, where good ideas were shared with one another and new production methods and techniques were introduced. Today, we are focused on educating the...
New five-county program focused on rounding up feral swine
A new pilot program that loans feral swine traps to individuals in a five-county area hopes to make an impact in reducing these destructive pests. The traps, which can be borrowed for up to a month, include a remote trigger system that allows an operator to monitor...
COVID relief funds available for seafood processors
Summary: The application period is open for seafood processors, dealers and processing vessels to apply for COVID relief funds to partially reimburse expenses associated with the pandemic. The deadline to apply is Nov. 30. NCDA&CS is administering the grant...
Recent statistics on crop acreage show slight to significant upticks in production.
Summary: USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service recent crop production numbers point to increases in cotton, soybeans, peanuts and winter wheat. Today's Topic with Southern Farm Network's Mike Davis I’ve been catching up on some reading and saw a couple of...
Farm Family of the Day sponsored by Tractor Supply Company returns for its second year. Eleven farm families are being sought to be recognized at the 2022 State Fair. Deadline to apply or be nominated is Sept. 16.
Summary: We can never celebrate our farmers enough for the hard work they do to grow the food, fiber and fuel we rely on every day. To help showcase these hardworking families, the popular Farm Family of the Day program returns to the State Fair to highlight and...
Census of Agriculture underway in the state. Questionnaires have been sent to 87,000 producers.
It doesn’t seem like it has been five years since the last Census of Agriculture, but it has. Questionnaires for the 2022 Census of Ag have gone out to some 87,000 known producers and growers are asked to fill out the form or fill it out online, submit it and have...
Agriculture Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund awards more than $10 million for conservation easements on 4,377 acres.
Department conservation and land preservation efforts continue even as a recent study by the American Farmland Trust projects the state could lose over 1 million acres of farmland by 2040 if development continues at its current rate. More than $10 million was awarded...
North Carolina achieves HPAI-free status by the World Health Organization
North Carolina has been designated High Path Avian Influenza-free by the World Organization for Animal Health. This designation means that the state can resume exports and international trade for poultry products. Under WOAH guidelines, HPAI-free status can be...
County Fair season is in full swing. Events being held across the state August through late October.
Summary: County fairs are annual traditions that bring communities together, showcasing local talent and highlighting agriculture in the area. The season hits its peak run August through late October across the state. Look for a list of county agricultural fairs on...
Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center is already being put to the test. High path avian influenza, animal necropsies, dog treat recall – busy times at the lab. The lab has hosted a number of registered pesticide technician schools where training and testing is provided to structural pest control operators and technicians.
The official opening of the Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center happened in late March, but there has been no shortage of work for the newly opened lab center. If you pay attention to local news stories, you may have even heard about investigations and tests...
A number of upcoming field days are planned in July, August and September. Good time for growers to learn about the latest efforts being made with specific commodities.
Summary: We are fortunate in North Carolina to have 18 research stations operated in cooperation with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service, N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University. In the coming months a number of field days are...