In order to improve our use of the Upper Piedmont Research Station at Reidsville in extension programs, several "hands on" educational programs for producers and extension agents have been planned for this fall.
First, on November 6th from 11:30 to 5:15 the extension agents in the surrounding counties will conduct a regional field day that will take the place of the Greensboro area beef conference. The program will consist of six topics; the use of byproduct feeds in supplementation programs, recent advances in mineral nutrition, enhancing wildlife resources, improving genetic potential through artificial insemination, the use of stockpiled fescue and rye in winter grazing programs, and the role of the NCDA research stations. Contact your local extension agent for registration information.
On December 10th and 11th we will conduct agent training for extension agents with forage and/or beef cattle responsibilities. The two focus topics will be forage production/ grazing management, and animal health programs. We will have "hands on" work with making grazing decisions on both the rye and the stockpiled fescue fields. The goal will be to set a foundation for agents to improve forage programs in their counties, as well as continuing to stress the importance of quality assurance programs. Call Martha Hufham (919-515-2762) at the Extension Animal Husbandry office for more information.
Finally on December 12th we will conduct a grazing school for beef producers. This program will be focused on giving producers a better understanding of the basics of forage production and grazing management. We will discuss; the economics of grazing, improving the efficiency of forage production, managing cattle on forage, fence construction, and grazing system development. We will also manage the grazing program for the day on both the rye and stockpiled fescue fields. The size of the class will be limited to 30, and there will be a $25 charge which will include lunch and a notebook of educational materials. Call Marie Smith (919-515-5821) at the Forage Extension office for more information.