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Agricultural
Donated heifer auctioned Auctioneer E.B. Harris recently bid off a heifer donated by Prestage Farms during his sale at the Sampson County Livestock Facility in April. Dick Mills, of Ayden, bought the heifer for $2,200 and the money was given to the Sampson County 4-H Program for future activities in the N.C. State Youth Livestock Program and on a county level. The 4-H Department would like to extend a big thank you to all parties involved. On a separate note, youth interested in applying for a free heifer or goat to show, can call the Extension Office to receive an application from the Sampson County Livestock Association Office at 910-592-7161. Pictured above are:4-H’ers Roxie Long and Colby Matthis with buyer Dick Mills. (Courtesy Photo)
Donated heifer auctioned
Courtesy Photo Auctioneer E.B. Harris recently bid off a heifer donated by Prestage Farms during his sale at the Sampson County Livestock Facility in April. Dick Mills, of Ayden, bought the heifer for $2,200 and the money was given to the Sampson County 4-H Program for future activities in the N.C. State Youth Livestock Program and on a county level. The 4-H Department would like to extend a big thank you to all parties involved. On a separ...
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Pesticides get rid of those pesky bugs, but use caution
Question: What chemical should I use to control my lawn and garden pest problems? Answer: Many types of pesticides are available for use including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, miticides, and nematicides. When using pesticides in a safe manner involves a combination of knowledge, common sense, and to read and follow label directions. When pesticides are used incorrectly there is the potential of poisoning occurring to the gard...
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Members attending Demo Days are pictured, from left, David Thomas, Hannah Singleton, Edward Olive, Alaina Airheart, Jessica Gordon, Trevor Gaskins, Josh Wisniewski and Jessica Hogan. (Courtesy Photo)
Collegiate FFA members assist with agricultural event in Greensboro
Eight Mount Olive College Collegiate FFA members served as Agricultural Ambassadors for Syngenta’s annual Demo Days in Greensboro. The National Collegiate FFA office requested the assistance of CFFA members from Mount Olive College to serve as hosts for the event. Members took this opportunity to learn more about Syngenta and its impact on the global agriculture economy. Syngenta invited employees from Research Triangle Park, Greensboro, Ca...
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Newton Grove’s Warrick earns FFA scholarship
Four Sampson County FFA students have earned $1,000 scholarships thanks to Ford of Clinton and the Ford Motor Company. Aaron Warwick, a senior at Hobbton High; Daniel Thompson and Gabrielle Chestnutt, seniors at Union High; and Caroline Clement, a senior at Midway High have been chosen as recipients of the $1,000 scholarship Warwick’s father is Keith Warwick of Newton Grove. He plans to study Agricultural Business Management at Mount Oliv...
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How can I make my garden colors last longer?
Question: How can I make colorful flowers throughout my landscape last longer? Answer: When reading descriptions for flowering plants, you often see deadheading listed as one of the chores. Deadheading is removal of dead flowers from plants. A flowering plant’s main purpose in producing a flower is so it will be pollinated and produce seeds. A plant produces seeds as a survival mechanism. Deadheading a plant, by removing spent flowers, ...
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Rep. Mike McIntyre releases YouTube video supporting farmers and answers the question, How do we maintain a strong safety net for our farmers? . To see the episode click on to www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grg147bwstE. (Courtesy Photo)
McIntyre releases video supporting farmers
Courtesy Photo Rep. Mike McIntyre releases YouTube video supporting farmers and answers the question, ‘How do we maintain a strong safety net for our farmers?’. To see the episode click on to www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grg147bwstE.
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Keeping good records are important to the local farmer
Financial risk has three basic components: 1) the cost and availability of debt capital, 2) the ability to meet cash flow need in a timely manner, and 3) the ability to maintain and grow equity. Cash flows are especially important because of repayment and family living expenses. Your objective should be to manage this risk through sound planning and financial control. To do that, you should continually monitor your ability to bear financial r...
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Pictured, back row: Philip P. Kerstetter, president of Mount Olive College; Curtis Raines, Bill Bryan, Lynn Williams, and J. William Byrd. Front Row: Audrey Brown, Janice Scott, Howard Scott, Stan Dixon, Barbara Kornegay, Dorothy Whitley and Sandy Maddox, director of the Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center. Not pictured Ralph Britt and Benjie Forrest. (Courtesy Photo)
Mount Olive College presents honorary collegiate FFA degrees
MOUNT OLIVE – The Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary with a banquet and awards ceremony. During the event, current students in the agri education and agribusiness programs talked about the accomplishments of the Center during the past ten years including outreach efforts, curriculum advancement, internship development, activities accomplished by student organizations, and community service projects...
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Update on swine transport law for locals
In 2011, House Bill 432 was passed. That law contained an act of legislation on the transport of swine in North Carolina. The new law, which came into effect in October of 2011, addresses a need for identification of swine if they are transported off the farm, penalties for unlawful transportation without identification, and penalties for misuse of identification. The fines go up to $5,000 per violation, so if you are hauling ten pigs without...
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How do I fight black mold on my plants?
Question: What is the black mold growth on my plants? Answer : During these early spring months, many people are concerned about a black film coating the leaves of their trees and shrubs. This black film is referred to as sooty mold. Sooty mold is a fungus that can cause plants to appear dark and sooty or almost uniformly charcoal gray. It may form a continuous thin sheet on the leaf surface that eventually peels away. Sooty mold is in...
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Prestage donates heifer Prestage Farms has generously donated a heifer to the Sampson County 4-H program. The heifer will be auctioned off at the E.B. Harris Cattle Sale on April 21, and all proceeds will go to the N.C. State Youth Livestock Program. Sampson County currently has several youth who benefit from N.C. State’s livestock projects, judging, and skillathon programs. The auction will begin at 10 a.m. at the Sampson County Livestock Facility. Businesses or individuals who would like to donate any amount of money towards the purchase of this heifer can call the Sampson County Extension Office at 910-592-7161 for more information. Pictured from, left, to right are, 4-H’ers and Prestage Farms staff: Shane Kendall; Summer Lanier, Public Relations director; Heather Goodrich;Colby Matthis; Zack McCullen, vice president of the swine division; Wyatt Kendall; and Chasen Matthis. Local 4-H staff said the Prestage donation was very generous and much appreciated. (Courtesy Photo)
Prestage donates heifer
Courtesy Photo Prestage Farms donated a heifer to the Sampson County 4-H program. The heifer will be auctioned off at the E.B. Harris Cattle Sale on April 21, and all proceeds will go to the N.C. State Youth Livestock Program. Sampson County currently has several youth who benefit from N.C. State’s livestock projects, judging, and skillathon programs. The auction will begin at 10 a.m. at the Sampson County Livestock Facility. Businesses or ...
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Tips on managing fire ants
Question: How can I identify and manage fire ants? Answer: As warm weather approaches, those pesky fire ants become more active. Red Imported Fire Ants can be identified several ways. One way to identify this species of fire ants is by knowing their biological traits. The adult fire ants are reddish to dark brown color. There are several different adult fire ants you should know about. The first one is known as the minor worker fire ant...
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Composting poultry mortality
Because of high fuel prices, more and more poultry farmers are exploring the possibility of composting on farm poultry mortalities. Composting is an approved method of mortality disposal and is environmentally friendly. However, a permit from NCDA&CS is required for a poultry farmer to construct and operate a compost facility. Obtaining a permit is fairly simple but does require a certain amount of time and documentation. I will be glad to ...
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Bluestem: A low maintenance plant for gardens
Question: Are you looking for a low maintenance plant for your garden? Answer : Check out this new form of native ornamental grass that was developed by Dr. Mary Meyer, Professor at University of Minnesota. A new form of little bluestem, an ornamental and native grass, is available at many garden centers. The trademark name, Blue Heaven TM refers to the summer foliage color. Selected after several years of evaluation at the Universit...
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Clinton FFA s Land Judging team members, from left, Brandon Massey, Paige Tatum, Breanna Worrells, Lydia Strickland, Nick Jones, Colby Royal, Susan Jones and Austin Senger. (Courtesy Photo)
Clinton FFA earns top honors at state FFA Land judging event
The Clinton FFA Chapter recently participated in the 58th Annual North Carolina Association Land Judging Event on March 30-31 in Robeson County. Junior team members are Paige Tatum, Nick Jones, Breanna Worrells and Lydia Strickland. Senior team members include Colby Royal, Susan Jones, Austin Senger and Brandon Massey. Ronnie Warren is the Clinton FFA Advisor. Clinton’s junior team placed first in state with team member Paige Tatum earnin...
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Explain the 40 gallon challenge to local gardeners
Question: What is the 40 Gallon Challenge? Answer: The 40 Gallon Challenge is a voluntary nation wide campaign to increase water conservation. Sampson County residents and businesses are encouraged to reduce our county’s water use on average by 40 gallons per person, per day by adopting new water-saving techniques. The website http://www.40gallonchallenge.org/ contains the pledge card outlining water-saving practices that you or your fa...
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Forages for summer grazing
Livestock producers and horse owners who use summer annuals for grazing and/or haying are thinking about what to plant this year. Due to drought in the seed producing areas, the prices for summer annuals have practically doubled from last year. Even so, most producers will still plant the old standards, pearlmillet or sorghum-sudan hybrids, out of necessity. Some producers are now planting crabgrass, but that seed has gone up in price as well...
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Pictured is Sen. Brent Jackson; Dr. Bill Aiken, SCC president, and Heather Register, food safety coordinator for Jackson Farming Company. (Gloria Edwards/Special to the Independent)
Local workforce partners with SCC for customized training
Now, more than ever, is the perfect time for local business and industry to take advantage of the Customized Training opportunities offered through the Continuing Education Division at Sampson Community College. Smithfield Foods and Jackson Farming Company are two companies who have recently collaborated with the college in this initiative. Jackson Farming Company is a local distribution and warehouse operation for local farms and also spec...
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Jart Hudson Jr.
Local farmers elected to serve on Cape Fear Farm board
FAYETTEVILLE — Three southeastern North Carolina agribusiness leaders were recently elected to fill positions on the board of directors of Cape Fear Farm Credit. Ronald J. Allen of Bladenboro, P. Jart Hudson Jr. of Turkey, and Gene S. West Jr. of Newton Grove were elected to serve four year terms as directors for the Association. Ronald Allen is a lifelong resident of Bladen County where he has farmed since 1990. His farming operation consi...
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From left: Larry Edwards, Brian Carter, Edward Olive, and Hannah Singleton
Mount Olive College students attend American Farm Bureau YF&R conference
MOUNT OLIVE - Four Mount Olive College students attended the American Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan in early February. Edward Olive, Brian Carter, Larry Edwards and Hannah Singleton travelled to Michigan to meet with other Young Farmers and Ranchers, ages 18-35, from across the nation to discuss the future of the agricultural industry. The group attended workshops that focused on various agricultura...
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Summer annual seeds scarce this spring
March is in its final days, and spring is in the air. Soon summer grasses will be greening up for a new grazing season. If your pasture rotation usually includes summer annuals such as Pearl Millet, you may be out of luck or out of cash. Remember that drought we had last summer? With the mild winter that’s brought several inches of rain, last year’s drought may have slipped your mind. However, if you go to purchase seed this year a sore rem...
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Gray mold on trees very common this time of year
Question: What is the gray mold like substance growing on the side of my tree? Answer : Lichens are a common site on branches of trees and shrubs. Seeing lichens can be an unusual site because it looks like a strange organism is taking over the plant. It is often thought that lichens are a fungus or disease that is damaging the plant but in reality that is not the case. Lichens are unique organisms. It is a fungus and algae combined to...
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