Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Mike Roberts - Weekly Ag Commodity Report

Many of you may remember Dr. Geoff Benson, NCSU Dairy Extension Economist. Mr. Mike Thomas Roberts has been hired to fill Geoff's vacant position. Mike comes to NCSU from Virginia were he published a weekly ag commodity report. To read Mike's weekly commodity report or to learn more about mike visit his NCSU page and link to the weekly report.

http://www.ag-econ.ncsu.edu/faculty/mtroberts/mtroberts.htm

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Ag Forum - Feb. 3 at State Fairgrounds

Input costs, water resources and the effects of monetary policy on agriculture will be among the topics of discussion at the sixth annual Ag Development Forum Thursday, Feb. 3, at the State Fairgrounds.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler also will deliver his annual State of Agriculture address at the forum, which will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Holshouser Building.

Keynote speaker will be Matthew Martin, an economist and senior vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's Charlotte branch. His remarks will focus on the economic outlook for agriculture and the effects of monetary policy on the industry.

This will be a great opportunity to come learn more about economic factors affecting farmers, Troxler said. This is going to be a critical year to stay informed because of ongoing economic concerns in North Carolina, the United States and even globally.

There also will be a panel discussion focusing on the cost of agricultural inputs, such as seed and fertilizer.

Other agenda items include the unveiling of a strategic plan for agricultural water resources in North Carolina.

Farmers, agribusiness professionals and others interested in agricultural policy and economics are invited to the forum. Admission is free, and lunch will be provided. Registration is requested by Jan. 28. To register, go to www.ncagr.gov/agforum. People with questions should contact Christina Waggett at (919) 707-3008.

The forum is sponsored by Altria and the N.C. Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation.

Have Crop Problems?

I just want to make growers aware we have funding from the North Carolina Small Grain Growers Association, Inc. for us to submit problem samples for diagnosis at the NCSU Plant Disease & Insect Clinic (30 total) and the NCDA&CS Agronomic Services Division Plant Tissue Laboratory (70 total). If you have small grain problems, I now have the ability to submit samples from Caldwell County "gratis", also known as FREE! As always, just give me a call 828 757 1290 or send and email (seth_nagy@ncsu.edu).

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Waynesville Bul sale results

The Waynesville bull test sale held on January 8, 2011 had the following averages; total sale $2182.60, Angus $2157.89, and Simmental $2300. A total of 23 bulls of the 24 offered were sold on that day. One bull (#81) listed in the catalog was scratched from the sale due to health problems. The high selling bull brought $5000, which tied the previous sale record set the first year of the Waynesville bull sale. Attendance at the beef conference was fairly low due to the snowstorm, however there were plenty of buyers at the sale. Thanks again to the sponsors of the beef conference and bull sale Southeast Livestock Exchange, Carolina Farm Credit, North Carolina Farm Bureau, and Sevier Farmers COOP.

Submitted by: Dr. Jim Turner,
NCSU Extension Western Beef Specialist