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. “Ban on poultry shows, sales lifted,” Jacksonville Daily News: Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today that the suspension of live poultry shows and sales has been lifted, a week earlier […]
NCDA&CS Agronomic Services Division
News Roundup: Nov. 8-14
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. Click on the links to go straight to the full story. “Work doesn’t end for apple farmers when fruit is picked,” Hendersonville Times-News: As Henderson County’s apple farmers wrap up […]
Versatility, variety help Cleveland County farm stay profitable
First-generation farmer Jason Rhodes is not afraid to try something new. Over the past 15 years, he has grown more than 12 crops under five different production systems at his Rhodesdale Farm in Grover. He currently produces about 650 acres of mixed seasonal produce and row crops. Rhodes began farming part time in 1999 with […]
Agronomists help Taylorsville produce farmer expand
Six years ago, Amy Douglas left a career in civil engineering so she and her husband could raise their children in a bucolic setting. Today, they grow about six acres of produce and sell it at their roadside stand, The Farmers’ Daughter, in Taylorsville. “When I decided to go into farming in 2008, there was […]
News Roundup: June 21-27
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. Click on the links to go straight to the full story. “NC Ag Officials In Europe,” News Radio 570 WWNC: The State’s Agriculture Commissioner is on an overseas tour this […]
Today’s Topic: Tissue sampling can help determine wheat’s nitrogen needs
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” Spring officially starts later this month, which means it’s a good time of year to test wheat for nitrogen. Applying nitrogen at the right time in spring is essential to the growth and development of wheat. Using […]
Today’s Topic: Early soil sampling encouraged
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” Rainfall in most of North Carolina has been at record high levels for most of the year. As a result, most crops have struggled due to poorly developed root systems. The growth of upcoming crops could also […]
Dr. Weimin Ye named 2012 Employee of the Year
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2cvZgplxmc The department’s nematode lab processes about 36,000 samples each year, making it the busiest lab of its kind in the nation. As section chief for the nematode lab, Dr. Weimin Ye is there to make sure the lab runs smoothly. For his contribution to the department, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler recognized Ye as the […]
NCDA&CS employees attend N.C. State University’s Tobacco Short Course
A new regional agronomist in the Agronomic Services Division and four representatives from three research stations were among the 34 participants who took part recently in the N.C. State Tobacco Short Course in Raleigh. Participating from the department were Dwayne Tate, Region 12 agronomist with the Agronomic Services Division; Steven Mills of the Upper Coastal […]
Grain sorghum gaining in popularity with N.C. farmers
North Carolina farmers grew about 50,000 acres of grain sorghum this year, an estimated 10-fold increase over 2011. The are several reasons why the crop is becoming popular with growers: drought tolerance; flexible planting dates; unattractiveness to deer; no need for specialized equipment or costly inputs; and improved rotation and double-crop options for management of […]
USDA forecasting record yields for N.C. peanuts, soybeans
North Carolina’s peanut and soybean crops are forecast to have record-setting yields this year, according to the USDA Crop Production Report for November. The yield for peanuts is forecast to be 3,800 pounds per acre, which would be 100 pounds higher than the previous record, set in 2009. Production is forecast to total 402.8 million […]
Troxler recognizes two NCDA&CS employees of the month
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler recognized Dianne Farrer and Ron Stamey as employees of the month for their contributions to the department. The two were presented a plaque for their accomplishments during a ceremony held last week in Raleigh. Regional agronomist Dianne Farrer was named the June 2012 NCDA&CS Employee of the Month. As a regional […]