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

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).

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

New Soil Fumigant Toolbox

PA has created a new virtual toolbox for information on soil fumigation, which is available at www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/soil_fumigants. The soil fumigants toolbox provides easy access to a variety of soil fumigant training, outreach, and other resource materials for applicators and handlers, communities, state and local agencies, and others interested in understanding and implementing the current requirements for safe use of soil fumigants. Key features include safety brochures for handlers of soil fumigants, training modules on the new soil fumigant requirements, templates for soil fumigant management plans, and updated fact sheets on the soil fumigant mitigation measures and implementation schedule. New materials will be added to the toolbox as they become available during 2011.

New Soil Fumigant Toolbox

PA has created a new virtual toolbox for information on soil fumigation, which is available at www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/soil_fumigants. The soil fumigants toolbox provides easy access to a variety of soil fumigant training, outreach, and other resource materials for applicators and handlers, communities, state and local agencies, and others interested in understanding and implementing the current requirements for safe use of soil fumigants. Key features include safety brochures for handlers of soil fumigants, training modules on the new soil fumigant requirements, templates for soil fumigant management plans, and updated fact sheets on the soil fumigant mitigation measures and implementation schedule. New materials will be added to the toolbox as they become available during 2011.

USDA - Colony Collapse Disorder Progress Report

The United States Department of Agriculture released its report on the current status of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). This report is a collaborative effort of scientists from 8 Federal agencies, 2 state departments of agriculture, 22 universities, and several private research efforts. NC State University is one of the universities involved in this research project. Beekeepers and others concerned with honeybees and native pollinators will find this report interesting.