Happy New Year Everyone! I trust you had a safe and happy holiday season. A new year has begun and I hope 2017 will be a rewarding year for you. Lets begin the year with  information about upcoming meetings that you may be interested in attending. Listed below are the dates and locations of statewide and local county meetings. Please share this with your growers.  Let me hear from you about small grain growth and development in your region. There will be opportunities to help promote yield with timely management practices. We will discuss this in the next blog. Tobacco growers will soon start seeding greenhouses. I would like to spend about an hour of your time talking about transplant production in greenhouses in one of our January meetings in Kinston. An excellent way to start helping your growers is to encourage them to take a water sample. We will make time to discuss reports and tailor a greenhouse fertility program. Please call if you have agronomy questions. I enjoy working with you all and serving the farmers!

Sincerely, Rick Morris

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

Tobacco Production and Annual GAP Recertification Trainings — The 2017 winter meeting season is upon us. All U.S. tobacco producers are required to attend a GAP recertification training. Meeting dates, location addresses, and RSVP contacts can be found on the calendar at the GAP Connections website found at: http://www.gapconnections.com/resources/calendar.

 

Price Risk Management Workshop — January 5, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton – Nick Lassiter with the Marketing Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) will provide a FREE workshop on “Managing Price Volatility/Identifying Macro Indicators.” The workshop will focus on the principles of options, spreading strategies, and using options to manage financial risk. For more information or to register, contact Mac Malloy at 910-671-3276 or mac_malloy@ncsu.edu.

 

N.C. Blueberry Council — January 10-11 – Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center, 1960 Coliseum Drive, Fayetteville – For more information and/or to register, visit http://blueberrytradeshow.com.  

 

28th Annual N.C. Commodities Conference — January 11-13 – Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center, 4700 Emperor Boulevard, Durham – The 28th Annual N.C. Commodities Conference will be the joint meeting of the Soybean, Corn, Cotton, and Small Grains Associations. The conference will include vendor trade shows, keynotes from Dr. Kevin Folta and Randy Dowdy, commodity Extension specialists presentations, annual yield awards, banquet with entertainment by the EMBERS, and much more!  Registration and information can be found at www.nccommoditiesconference.com.

 

Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Meeting — January 12, 6 p.m. – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton – The VFD rule will be implemented by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) effective January 1, 2017, with no phase implementation. Jessica Gore, Agriculture Compliance Officer with NCDA&CS, will be present at the meeting to address the VFD rule in depth and how it will affect food animal producers. Local veterinarians will also be present.  For more information or to register, contact Taylor Chavis at 910-671-3276 or taylor_chavis@ncsu.edu.

 

Pesticide Recertification Trainings — January 17 – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton – Class One: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (2 hours), Private Applicator V Training.  Class Two: 1 – 3 p.m. (2 hours), Private Applicator X and Commercial A, B, D, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, and T Training.  Please register for each separate class by calling 910-671-3276. Pesticide credit status can be checked at http://www.ncagr.gov/SPCAP/pesticides/license.htm.  Private Applicator X credits can also be earned by attending any of the approved production meetings as advertised.  Refreshments only will be provided.  For more information, contact Mac Malloy at 910-671-3276 or mac_malloy@ncsu.edu.

 

Robeson County Farmers Market Annual Meeting — January 19, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton – For more information or to register (deadline is January 17), contact Mack Johnson at 910-671-3276 or mack_johnson@ncsu.edu.

 

Cape Fear Regional Cattle Conference — January 24, 4:30 p.m. – Southeastern N.C. Agricultural Events Center, 1027 Highway 74 East, Lumberton – This conference is an excellent opportunity to receive updates on the cattle industry, learn new management practices, and visit with other cattle producers in the area.  The conference includes a meal and time to visit vendors.  There will be a $5 charge (pay at the door) to help cover the cost of the meal and guest speaker.  For  more  information  or  to  register  (deadline is January 19), contact Taylor Chavis at 910-671-3276 or taylor_chavis@ncsu.edu.

 

2017 Beginner Beekeeper School — January 24, 31, and February 7, 14, 28, 6 – 8 p.m. – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton – A fee of $30 will be charged, which covers registration, textbook, handouts, and refreshments.  Class is limited to the first 30 to register, so call immediately to reserve your space.  For more information or to register, please contact Nelson Brownlee at 910-671-3276 or nelson_brownlee@ncsu.edu.

 

Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet — January 26, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton – You are cordially invited to attend the Robeson County Crop Promotion Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet. The top yield winners in the corn, wheat, and soybean yield contests will be announced as well as recognition for many deserving individuals and farm families for their contributions to agriculture.  Debbie Hamrick, Director of Specialty Crops – N.C. Farm Bureau Rederation, will be the guest speaker.  A meal will be provided, so please RSVP by calling 910-671-3276 by January 20.  For more information, contact Mac Malloy at 910-671-3276 or by E-mail at mac_malloy@ncsu.edu.

 

Hoke, Robeson, and Scotland Tri-County Auxin Herbicide Training — February 7, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Hoke-Robeson Gin, 7480 Old Maxton Road, Red Springs – This is a brand new stewardship training opportunity highly encouraged for cotton and soybean growers who are interested in using the newly approved, over-the-top  application of  dicamba or  pending  label  approval of 2,4-D applications in 2017. Dr. Alan York, NCSU Professor Emeritus, will provide recommendations on the proper use and application of these   auxin family herbicides. Pesticide credits N, O, D, and X will be available. For more information or to register, contact Mac Malloy at 910-671-3276 or mac_malloy@ncsu.edu.

 

Hoke, Robeson, and Scotland Tri-County Cotton Production Meeting — February 7, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Hoke-Robeson Gin, 7480 Old Maxton Road, Red Springs – Dr. Guy Collins, NCSU Extension Cotton Specialist, will share the results from the On-Farm Cotton Variety Evaluation Program.  Dr. Keith Edmisten, NCSU Extension Cotton Specialist, will provide an update on production and management; Dr. Alan York, NCSU Professor Emeritus, will provide information on weed management strategies. Pesticide credits (N, O, D, and X) and CCA credits will be available.  A meal will be provided, so please RSVP by February 3.  For more information or to register, contact Mac Malloy at 910-671-3276 or mac_malloy@ncsu.edu.

 

North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Exam — February 15, 1 – 4 p.m. – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton – Persons who need to take the North Carolina Pesticide Applicator Exam may do so in any category.  Contact the Pesticide Section, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, at 919-733-3556 to register or online at http://www.ncagr.gov/SPCAP/pesticides/exam.htm.   Study manuals may be ordered in advance at www.pesticidemanuals.com.  For more information, contact Mac Malloy at 910-671-3276 or mac_malloy@ncsu.edu.

 

Hoke,  Robeson,  and Scotland Tri-County Corn and Soybean Production Meeting — February 16, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton – Dr. Ron Heiniger, NCSU Cropping Systems  Specialist, will  share  recommendations  for  improving  yield  in  corn and  soybean.  Dr. Lindsey Thiessan, NCSU Plant Pathologist, will discuss disease management.  Dr. Wesly Everman, NCSU Extension Weed Specialist, will provide a weed management update.  Pesticide credits (N, O, D, and X) and CCA credits will be available.  A meal will be provided, so please RSVP by February 10.  For more information or to register, contact Mac Malloy at 910-671-3276 or mac_malloy@ncsu.edu.

 

Southeast Peanut Production Meeting — February 17, 12 – 2 p.m. – Bladen County Center, 450 Smith Circle Drive, Elizabethtown – Dr. David Jordan, NCSU Extension Peanut Specialist, will provide an update on the latest research findings to improve production and management.  Dr. Barbara Shew, NCSU Plant Pathologist, will provide the latest information on fungicide programs and disease management recommendations in peanut. Pesticide credits (N, O, D, and X) and CCA credits will be available.  A meal will be provided, so please RSVP to Bruce McLean, Extension Field Crops Agent, at 910-862-4591 or bruce_mclean@ncsu.edu by February 10.

 

23rd Annual N.C. Pecan Growers Workshop — February 18 – Southeastern N.C. Agricultural Events Center, 1027 Highway 74 East, Lumberton – For more information and/or to register, visit www.ncpecans.org.  Preregistration helps to begin the workshop on time and makes your wait much shorter when checking in.

 

Corn Growers Referendum — February 22 – Voting will occur at the O. P. Owens Agriculture Center and designated  polling  sites  across  Robeson  County.  For  more  information,  contact  Mac  Malloy  at  910-671-3276 or mac_malloy@ncsu.edu.

 

Pesticide Recertification Trainings — February 24 – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton – Class One: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (2 hours), Private Applicator V Training.  Class Two: 1 – 3 p.m. (2 hours), Private Applicator X and Commercial D, L, and N Training.  Please register for each separate class by calling 910-671-3276. Pesticide credit status can be checked at http://www.ncagr.gov/SPCAP/pesticides/license.htm.  Private Applicator X credits can also be earned by attending any of the approved production meetings as advertised.  Refreshments only will be provided.  For more information, contact Mac Malloy at 910-671-3276 or mac_malloy@ncsu.edu.

 

Muscadine Culture and Pruning Demo — February 25, 10 a.m. – 12 noon – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton – Culture and variety information will be presented followed by an outdoor pruning demonstration, weather permitting (demonstration location to be determined).  For more information or to register (deadline is February 22), contact Mack Johnson at 910-671-3276 or mack_johnson@ncsu.edu.

 

Raised-Bed Gardening — March 11, 10 a.m. – 12 noon – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton – Information will be presented on raised-bed gardening tools, techniques, appropriate crops, and culture.  For  more  information  or  to  register (deadline  is  March 9),  contact  Mack  Johnson  at 910-671-3276 or mack_johnson@ncsu.edu.

 

Spring Alternative Tour — March 16, 1:15 – 5:30 p.m. – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton – This informative and educational tour will visit two farms that use alternative systems.   Growers will have the opportunity to visit a high-tunnel greenhouse and a hydroponic operation.  Refreshments and transportation will be provided. For more  information or to register (deadline is March 13), contact Nelson Brownlee at 910-671-3276 or nelson_brownlee@ncsu.edu.

 

Tomatoes, Tomahtoes, and ‘Maters — March 30, 6 – 8 p.m. – O. P. Owens Agriculture Center, 455 Caton Road, Lumberton –  No matter how it’s pronounced, tomatoes are a delectable addition to one’s garden.  Variety selection, growing aids, and common pests are just a few topics that will be addressed during this workshop.  For  more information  or to  register (deadline is March 28), contact  Mack Johnson at 910-671-3276 or mack_johnson@ncsu.edu.